Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-02-09
sg1onths' Column,
OUR BOYS.

/ once read a story written for the
amusement and instruction of ''Our
Boys" which set me to thinking, but
not in the line with the author.
The hero of the narrative, manly
youth, was the victim of malicious
plot laid by schoolmate, who feared
him as a rival in winning the univer-
sity prize. Guy, the jealous boy,
having been called into the masters
study and left for moment alone,
took from the teachers private draw
er a five-pound note, and then, be-
fore leaving, purposely dropped upon
the floor paper on which he had
persuaded his classmate, Harry, to
write. He also left his book behind
a writing-desk. The next day he
asked Harry to go for his book
when the master was out. The boy
went and knocked at the door.
No response being given, he stepped
in and took the book. When the
money was missed, suspicion fell up
on Harry. He had been seen coming
from the masters room, and the pa
per with his hand writing had been
found. He was called to account,
acknowledged his writing on the pa
per and the fact that he had entered
the room, but denied taking the note.
When the master demanded, "Why
were you in my room?' he refused to
tell. The evidence seemed clear
against him, he was expelled from
school, and for twenty-five years
bore the disgrace. After so long a
time, Guy was brought to repentance
by Harry's kindness to him when in
financial trouble, and taking his
friend with him, he called on their
teacher and confessed all.
Now the author of this story evil
IDENTIFY considered Hary's conduct as
worthy of limitation and other au-
thors give similar stories to our
young people for their admiration.
But the question comes, is this the
right kind of morality to teach? was
it noble or praisworthy for boy to
refuse to obey the requirements of
teacher whom, it is said, he loved
and respected? And al this too, SIM
ply to shield guilty companion. To
act falsehood, causing that teacher
pain and anxiety; to bring disgrace
upon, not himself alone, but the
father and other friends at home,
who must suffer with him, and all
simply to cover up the guilt of Grim
inal and prevent his being brought to
justice?
Is that the way law and order are
to be maintained in school or out of
school? Must we love the wrong-doer
in that kind of way, that will allow
us to cause suffering to the good and
law-abiding, rather than have him
punished? Would it be we'll in our
courts of justice for men to refuse to
witness lest somebody be found gull
ty of crime? The school is small
community; and are not good pupils
like good citizens, bound to help us
in maintaining law, order and JUS
tice?
The teacher had right to know
why the boy had broken the rule and
entered his room; and in refusing to
tell, Harry was disrespectful and dis
obedient. In the story Guy repent
ed, when reduced to straits, after
twenty-five years of wickedness. Had
he been brought to justice at once,
he might have seen the evil of wrong
doing sooner, and made better use
of these twenty-five years. A boy
as mean as he was represented to be
needs discipline, and the earlier in
life it comes to him the better. 1t is
easier for the boy to reform than fol
the man to begin a new life. The
correction of judicious parent OIL
teacher may cause repentance. and
save an erring one from years of sir
and suffering. At any rate, he viii
not do less harm in the world if he
has wholesome dread of the disap
proval of his fellows, and of the
majesty of law?