Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-03-26
Or, The New Schoolma'a m.


in the kindest voice in the world, while
her face was lighted with the sweetest
smile Imaginable. This is beautiful |
morning to commence school, is it not2' |
I know shall love her, whispered
little pet in my ear.
We all followed her into the school |
room, except Tom Jones and his ally, who
watched until the rest were seated, and |
then came in with staggering, noisy |
gait, and a sort OF daredevil, saucy look, |
as much as to say, who cares for you9'
Miss Wescott looked at them kindly, |
but appeared not to notice them further.
After short prayer and reading chap
ter in the Bible, she passed round the
room and made some inquiry of each one
in regard to themselves and studies.
And what is your name9' she asked,
laying her hand on Toms head, while be
sat with his hands in his pockets, swing
ing his body forward and backward.
Tom JONES' shouted he, at the top OF
his voice.
How old are you, Thomas9' she asked.
Just as old again as halt answered
Tom, with saucy laugh.
What do you study, Thomas2'
Nothing
what books have you2'
None
Without appearing to be at all DIS
turbed by his replies, Miss Wescott said,
4 am glad that am to have one or two
large boys in my school; you can be of
great assistance to me. Thomas, if you
will stop few moments after school, we
will talk over a little plan have formed
This vas mystery to all, and particu-
larly to Tom, who could not com prehend
how he could be useful to anybody, and
for the first time in his life he felt as it
he was Of some importance in the world.
He had always been called bad boy at
school, and he took sort OF pride IN be-
ing feared by the children and dreaded
by the teacher.
Miss Westcotr at once comprehended
his whole character, and began to shape
her plans accordingly. She maintained
that boy who, at IL years of age, made
himself feared among his school-fellows,
was capable of being made something of.
Heretofore all influences had consplred to
make him bad, and perhaps desper-
ate character; she was determined to
transform his character by bringing op-
posite influences to work upon him; and
to effect this she must first gain his con-
tidence, which could not be done in a bet
ter way than by letting him feel that she
placed confidence in HIM.
When school was out more than half
the scholars fingered about the door, won
dering what Miss Westcott had to say to
Tom Jones'. He had often been hidden
to remain after school, but it was always
to receive punishment or severe lecture
and nine times out of ton he would Jump
out Of the window before half TIE schol-
ars were out of the room; but 1t was ev1-
IDENTIFY for different purpose that he
was to remain now, and no one wondered
what it could be more than Tom Jones.
Don't you think, Thomas, that GU:
school-room would be a good deal pleas
anter'if we had some evergreens to hang,
around it, something to make it cheerful7'
inquired Miss Westcott. = ,.Ts
'Yes'm, and / know where I can get
plenty of them.' .:S-e
We'll, Thomas, if you will have some
here by O'clock tomorrow morning, I
will be here to help you put them up,
and we will give the children pleasant
surprise. Here are :. some books for
you, Thomas; you may put them in your
drawer. They are what I want you to
study ..+-.a ...&.-.
But I can't study geography and his
tory exclaimed Tom, confusedly. 'Inev-
er did, $50 AZ. ,.s,s. nsss 4.
That is the reason why you think you
cannot replied Miss Westcott. i am
quite sure you can, and you will love
them, I know -zs -,
Nobody ever cared whether learned
anything or not, before;' said Tom, with
: emotion. .S sss
well, I care,' said Miss Westcctt. with
much earnestness; you are capable of be-
coming q great and good man; you are
now forming ysur character in life, and
it depends upon yourself what you be.
come. The poorest boy in this country
has an equal chance with the wealthiest
and his circumstances are more tay0ra.
BILE for becoming eminent, for he learns
!: to depend upon himself. I will assis,
you all I can in your studies, Thomas
1 and know you will succeed; remember
that ! am your friend, and come to nj
in every diffcuIty.'
Tom Jones had not been brought up
he had come up, because he had beer
born into the world and couldn' help it
! but, as for any mental or moral training
he was asignorant Of it as a Wild BRAN
bile of apruning knife His father wa
an incorporate, bad man, and his moth
er totally efficient woman. AT HON,
he received nothing. but blows, AM
abroad nothing but abuse. His bad PAS
slons were therefore all excited and los