The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-07-07
NYEs scHounBooK.

Sometimes a sad. honlesick feeling
comes over me. when Il compare the
prevailing stvle of anecdote and school
literature with the old MeGuffy brand.
so well known thirty years ago. To-
day our juvenile literature. il seems TO
me, is so transparent and - easy 10 un-
derstand that | am not surprised TO
learn that the rising generation shows
signs of lawlessness
BOYS TO-DAY do not ase the respectful
language aud large. luxgriant words
that they did when Mr.. MeGnffy used
to stand around and repor; their con-.
verSations for his Justly celebrated
school reader II Is disagreeable to
think OF. bat II Is none the less true, and
for one think we should face the facts.
ask the careful student of school
literature to compare the following Sc
lection, which | have written myself
with great carr. and arranged with
special reference 10 the matter of choice
and difficult words. With the ilippant
and commonplace terms used in the
average school book OF to-day
TRUE MERIT REWARDED
One day rs George Oswald was 90
ing TO his tasks. and while passing
through the wood, he Spied tall man
approaching in an opposite direction
along the highway.
All. thought George, in a low, mel
low tone of voice. whom have we
here9"
Good morning my fine fellow, ex-
claimed the stranger, pleasantly. DO
YOU reside in this locality?"
Indeed do, retorted George. cheer
lily. dropping his cap, In Wonder cot
III. = i
er and her thirteen children dwell with
me.
"And is your father dcad2" exclaimed
the man. with rising infection.
Extremely so, murmured the lad.
'and. oh. sir. that is why my poor
mother is a widow"
And how did your papa die?" asked
the man. as he thoughtfuliy stood on
the other foot awhile.
Alas. sir, said George. rs a large.
hot tear stole down his pale cheek and
fell with loud report on the warty sur
face of his bare foot, she WAS lost at sea
in bitter gale. The good ship foun-
dered two years ago last ChriStmastide,
and father was foundered at the same
time. No one know of the loss of the
ship and that the crew were drowned
until the next spring, and il was then
too laten
And what is your age, nv fine fell
lowp" quoth the stranger.
III live until next October" said
the boy, in deciamatory tone of voice
suitable for Second Reader, Il viii be
seven years of age.
''And who provides for your mother
and her large family of childrenPn
queried the man.
"Indecd, do, sir. replied George.
in a shrill tone. Il toll, oh, so hard.
sir, for we are very, very poor, and since
my elder sister, Ann. was married and
brought her husband home to live with
us have to toll more assiduouslv than
heretofore. =
And by what means do YOU obtain
livelihood?' exclaimed the man, in
slowly measured and grammatical
words.
by digging wells, kind SIR replied
George. picking up a tired ant as he
spoke and stroking it on the back. Il
have good education, and so am en-
abled to dig wells rs wel as man.
do this daytimes and take in washing at
night In this way | am enabled to
barely maintain our family in preca-
rious manner; but, oh, sir, should my
other sisters marry, fear that some of
my brothers-in-law would have TO suf-
fer.
And do you not fear the deadly tire
damp" asked the stranger in an earn
est tone.
Not by damp sight answered
George, with low gnrgIing laugh. for
he was great wag.
you are indeed brave lad" ex-
claimed the stranger, as he repressed a
smile. And do you not at times be-
come very weary and wish for other
ways of passing your time?'
Indeed do. sir. said the lad II =
would fain run and romp and be gay
like other boys, but must engage in
constant manual exercise, or we will
have no bread to eat. and | have not
seen pie since papa periShcd in the
moist and moaning sea.
And what if We're to tell you that
your papa did not perish at sea, but
was saved from Il hurried graveP" asked
the stranger in pleasing tones.
''Ah, SIR exclaimed George, in
genteel manner, again doiiing his cap.
Il am too polite to tell you what
would say, and beside, sir. you are
much larger than / am.
''But, my brave lad. " said the man in
low musical tones, ''do you not know
me, George. Oh. GEORGE
Il must say" replied George, "that
you have the advantage of me. Whilst
l may have met you before. cannot at
this moment place you, sir"
My soni oh. my sonr' murmured
the man, at the same time taking
large strawberry mark out of his valise
and showing it to the lad. ''Do you not
recognize your parent on your fathers
side? When our good ship went to the
bottom, all perished save me. swan
several miles through the pillows, and
at last, utterly exhausted, gave up all
hope of life. Suddenly a bright idea
came TO me and walked out of the sea
and rested myself.
And now my brave boy exclaimed
the man with great glee, ''see what l
have brought for you" II was but the
work of a moment to unclasp from
shawl strap, which he held in his hand.
and presented 20 Georges astonished
gaze, large forty-cent watermelon.
which he had brought with him from
the Orient.
"Ah," said George, this is indeed a
glad surprise. Albeit. how can I ever
reDay Won p''-RfN NJfe ftl R0sfog1 GIobe