The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-10


CHAPTER Iv.--TEN YEARS AFTER GEORGE
FORESTS MARRIAGE-A VILLAGE
sCHooL-MAsTER's INFLUENCE
AMONG THE YOUNG.
Ten years have now passed away since
the events took place concerning little
Mabel aud her tragic death, recorded in
the last chapter. During this decade
George had tried hard to keep sober.
For many months at time he kept from
his evil habits and attended to his farm.
The Colonel Elsmore estate was highly
productive, and it literally rewarded even
small amount of labor. For this reason
George Forest and his family had enough
to eat.
Four children had been born to them
during this period-three girls and boy.
The boy was named William. He was
very strong and active. When he was
but nine years of age he held the pillow
for his father. Early in life he became
acquainted with work.
During the year 49, there came to the
village teacher by the name of Smith.
He was then recent graduate of Dart
mouth College. He was genial young
man, full of life, zeal and love of knowl-
edge.
He had not been the teacher of the viii
lage school long before he discovered that
William Forest was boy of more than
ordinary promise. He was remarkable
for his truthfulness, his application to
studies, and for his excellent principles
of general conduct in school. Nothing
could suit Mr.. Smith better than to find
that boy of these characteristics was to
be under his instruction. 1t was quite
natural for William to feel, as he had a
friend in the teacher, that he would do his
best to learn. The three months of school
quickly passed. For so brief time Will
lam had made much progress in his
studies. He was sccust ned to study at
home as well as at school. Mr.. Smith
made study so interesting, and explained
its practical worth so clearly, that it seemed
as pastime rather than task. The pupil
learned because be really wanted to &C.
quire knowledge. 1t really appeared har-
der not to learn. William eagerly in
quired of Mr.. Smith in relation to college
studies, who cheerfully informed him as
to what branches were pursued.
William soon made known to his par
ents the strong desire he had to 60 to col
lege, and his mother expressed the hope
that he might have that privilege. He
had words of comfort from her, from time
to time, as she listened to the reading of
his compositions and she made valu-
able suggestions in her friendly criticisms
of them. He was one of the debaters in
the village lyceum, where he received
many tokens of appreciation by those citi.
z,us who came in to listen.
Mr.. Smith also taught the winter term Of
school. At this term William was enabled
to take Sallust as we'll as his English
studies. His teacher had given him en-
couragement to think that, by close study,
he would be fitted to enter college in one
year from the next commencement.
As William manifested 30 much zeal
and enthusiasm others began to feel de.
sire for wider range of knowledge. The
sons of the more wealthy began to realize
fhat a oh mo 70 fbax,o IS than xrare
outdone in obtaining an education by g
poor boy. But wealth cannot procure wit
They soon found that riches could not
buy brains, and began to feel the fact
that they must apply themselves heartily
to their tasks, or be left behind in acquir-
ing knowledge.
1t would have been quite discouragine
to any one striving for an education il
such had heard what some people said
For example, old Krumm was in the vii
lage store one day when Mr.. Smith, the
teacher, came in to make purchase. He
received from Mr.. Smith slight bow oil
recognition. This attention old Krumm
did not like, because of his own rudeness
and want of civility. After the teacher had
left the store some one said "That il
the best teacher that we have yet had in
our school,"
Old Krumm WINGED little and pulled
up the waistband of his pants, after
which he jsrked out this speech "Mebbe
he is, but l thinks he puts on might
lot of perliteness. He bows and scrspes
to us'n old farmers, he does, Bill. Now
for one, l b'leve such things amt with
corn.shucks. Another thing, don't
b'leve in too much eddykation. Toe
much money is spent on schools, anyway
This met with no response from those
in the store. The merchants cat just
then awoke and, looking at Krumm
mewed, and rose up and walked of little
distance, as if his company was odious
Krumm soon left the store with his clay
pipe in his mouth.
Jones said, "Thst old fool had better
stay at home than come in here to retail
his own ignorance "That is 3d." said
chorus of voices; he don't know enough
IN read a common uaWananar and what