The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-04-24
IVES SCHOOL BOOK.
tBm Nye, in Boston Globe 7

Bill Nye, in Boston Globe.
 Sometimes a sad homesick feeling comes over me. when compare the prevailing style of anccdote and school literature with the old MrGutfy brand. .o well known thirty years ago To day our juvenile literature, 1t seems to me, is so transparent and so easy 10 un- derstand that l am not surprised to learn that the rising generation shows signs of iawlessness
 Boys to-day do not use the respectful language and large luxuriant words that they did when Mir McGutfy used to stand around and report their conversa- tons for his justly celebrated school reader It is disagreeablc to think of but it Is none the less true and for one l think We should face the facts
 ask tn, careful student of school literature to compare the following SC lection, which l have written myself with great care. and arranged with special reference to the matter of choice and difficult words. with the ilippant and commonplace terms used in the average school book of to-day.
 TRrE MERIT REWARDED
 One day as George Oswald was going to his tasks, and while passing through the wood, he spicd tall man approach ing in an opposite direction along the highway.
 An thought George. in low mel low tone of voice whom have We here?
 Good morning, my fine fellow eN- claimed the stranger pleasantly. Do YOU reside in this locality?
 Indeed 1 do, rctorted George, cheerily dropping his cap. In wonder cottage, near the glen my widowed mother and her thirteen children dwell with me.
 And is your father dead?" exclaimed the man, with rising infection.
 Extremely so, murmured the lad,
 and oh, sir that is why my poor mother is widow
 And how did your papa die? asked the man. as he thoughtfully stood on the other foot awhile
 Alas, sir, said George. as large hot tear stole down his pale cheek and fell with a loud report on the warty sur face of his bare foot, /" he was lost at sea in bitter galo-The good ship foun- dered two years ago last Chri-tmastide. and father was toundered at the same time, No one knew of the loss of the >hipand that the crew was drowned until the next spring and it was then too late
 And what is your age, my fine fel- iowY' quoth the stranger
 If l live until next October. said { L T suitable for Second Reader, '" l will be seven years of age.
 And who provides for your mother and her large family of children|' queried the man.
 Indeed, do sir, replied George in ', shrill tone. 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 assiduously than heretofore
 And by what means do you obtain a livelihood?" exclaimed the man, in slowly measured and grammatical words
 " By digging wells kind sir replied George picking up tired ant as he spoke and stroking 1t on the back ] have a good education, and SO am en- abled to dig wells as well as a man. l do this davtimes and take in washing at night In this way 1 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 fire damp" asked the stranger in an earn est tone
 Not by damp sight, answered George, with a low gurgling laugh, for he was great wag.
 "Y lou are indeed brave lad ex- claimed the stranger, as he repressed smile And do you not at times be- come very weary and wish for other ways of passing your time2
 Indeed do, sir. said the lad would fain run and romp and be gay like other boys, but 1 must engage in constant manual exercise or we will have no bread to eat, and l have not seen pie since papa perishel in the moist and moaning sea.
 And what if l were to tell you that your papa did not perish at sea. but was saved from hurried gravel" asked the stranger in pleasing tones.
 "Ah, sir" exclaimed George, in genteel manner, again doffing his cap. !" I 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, Georgie Oh, George."
 "I must say, replied George, that you have the advantage of me. Whilst