Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-04-19
The Gentleman at the
PeQuOt House.

| III DIS mouth, MS parents sought TO
supply the deficiency by giving him
an illustrious name. Consequently
the baby was christened "Scipio
Daniel Drake.''
'We've gin him a hist'ry and a
Scriptur name,' said his mother
proudly; and that's a better start
than many gentleman's son gets;
and | hope a marciful Providence
will lead him, till he gets to the land
O. glory
We will pass over thirteen years
of young Scipio's life, and present
him again scholar in the public
school of Webosset village. Follow
ing the minister's advice, the boy
seized all the educational advantages
within his reach; and here [ hope
the reader will doff all prejudice
against color, when l confess the
blood in his veins was fully three
fourths African.
Scipio studied hard, and despite
his retreating forehead, proved to be
really teachable, and stood we'll in
his classes. He could not chalk his
face and make it white, therefore
there was a wide gulf between him
and his schoolmates, and he was
usually silent and solitary.
There was one boy who felt humil
lated and wronged by being brought
into contact with a negro. Alfred
Grant was the son of wealthy man.
ufacturer, and he possessed, also, so
large capital in conceit and tyranny
that he was often called, "Alfred
the Great" He hated Scipio, and
improved every opportunity to insult
and abuse him, and the boy bore
his ill-treatment with the submission
of his race, and kept plodding on.
One morning, while the first class
in arithmetic were occupying the rec
itation seats, Mr.. Howe, the master.
was called into the hall, and remain
ed some time talking with one of the
committee. Alfred had just been
sent to the blackboard, and after the
door closed, malicious purpose
started in his heart, and an evil glare
came into his eyes. He had taken
private lessons of Mr.. Hammont, the
artist, and inherited marked talent
for sketching from his dead mother.
Taking a chalk pencil, he began
drawing the outline of a figure on the
board. Every moment or two he
glanced toward Scipio as he worked.
The pencil under his sklllful hand
made stroke after stroke with sur
prsing rapldity, and in very short
space of time, a complete outline of
oclplO appeared
The likeness was perfect. 1t had
the bold power of genuine artist,
and was grand production for q
beginner. There was tbs low fore
head, fiat nose, thick lips, and wool
ly hair of the negro. No one could
fail 10 see an exact resemblance
/ Then Alfred wrote in large plain
hand underneath, "This is portrait
of Scipio Daniel Drake, our colored
gentleman
A low laugh ran through the class
, and the contagious merriment was
r joined in by most of the other schol
ars, while few clapped their hands
: in applause, but very quietly, sc
that no unusual noise could reaci
the ears of the teacher in the hall
Scipio was studying hard, with his
eyes fixed on his book, till boy
j, nudged him and pointed to the black
board. He saw there a picture of
himself, and sharp pain darte6
} through his heart. He could not turr
E pale, and his dark skin hid the hot
blood which sprung to his cheeks
but he drew his arm across his eyes
and under his sleeve great tears fel
thick and fast. Alfred gloried in the
= spectacle of his sorrow, and laughed
' triumphantly, while he kept close
watch of the door with brush in his
2 left hand, ready to erase the picture
d with dash the instant it opened.
< Soon a voice was heard from be.
hind:
"Alfred, if you persevere, you
y will make fine painter"
He gave start of surprise, an6
turned quickly around. There stood
Mr.. Howe deliberately surveying his
work. He had returned noiselessly
a to the schoolroom by another door.
"Your hand is good, but your
+, heart is cruel," he said in a severe
tone.
: Alfred grew very hot and red. Mr..
. | Howe walked to his desk and opened
the school register, and put down a
+ certain mark against Alfred's name,
showing gross misconduct, and point
ed it out to him. A sum was then
given him to perform on the board,
but his agitation and vexation made
it impossible for him to get the right
answer. He failed, also, in giving a
rule, and made sucn ridiculous mis-
takes that his classmates could not
restrain their laughter.
When the session was over, the
scholars were dismissed in order.
Alfred followed Scipio on to the
playground, and gave him a smart
blow on the shoulder.
sGNinror - ha a..ol