The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-02-03
a CROOKED STICK srRAreHrExEp.

] had an ugly, unruly boy in my room,
and he gave me more trouble than all the
rest Of the class. Through the different
grades Of the large grammar school he had
been a terror to his teachers, and was hur-
ried on to the next teacher with surprising
alacrity and precision He never lacked
promotion. When | inherited him felt
as if Nemesis had overtaken me, and Just
how to control him was problem | long
wrestled with. For several weeks be was
the terror of the room, and my reputation
for good order and dignity was, felt, fast
disappearing. The boy would not obey
unless he felt like it, and punishments had
DO effect on him. He was there, he knew
he was there; be had reputation to sus-
tain; he had earned it by several years
close application to wrong doing and lie
meant to maintain it at all hazards.
1t is unnecessary to narrate bis pranks.
Every teacher has had snch boys, and
readily recognize this one. Every plan
evolved for the regeneration of the boy
proved abortiye. He wouldn't reform.
Finally, by accident, | stumbled on the
cure. am not ashamed to say that it was
an accidental plan, for it was one Of those
unexpected things that philosophers tell
us are bound to come to pass
discovered that he was interested in bis
drawing, or rather was interested in sketch
ing odd bits of scenery, or objects in the
room, not even sparing his teacher who was
typical schoolmarm aud wore glasses. /
resolved to make the most of this one tai
ent--if talent it was-and SO one day, when
was in my best and sweetest mood, / ask
ed the terror if be would not draw plan
for some shelves | wanted put up in my
closet. He assented, and the sketch was
neatly and accurately made. There was
new look in his eyes and new expression
on his face when he gave me the paper on
which his drawings were made
Then / advanced slowly and cautiously.
/ needed some maps made, following new
invention of mine in eartography, and
again ! employed the terror, and again the
result was encouraging. The maps were
models of precision and neatness. | judi
eiously praised hin, and exhibited the maps
to the class and called for copies. None
ever equaIed his, and his JOY was complete.
We were studying the continent of Asia,
and the terror never had lis geography les
son learned; but when suggested that if
he were to keep up his reputation in draw
ing be must draw the details of the coun-
try he was sketching Geography became
a new study to him, and be easily made
excellent progress in this branch. To do
this he had to forego some Of his s'foolibg
business and it was given up simply be-
cause he had something more to his liking
to do
In fine, and to the point, the terror came
ont of bis chrysalis state new creature.
His old ways were left, and he readily
adopted the better method Of dong and
living. From slouching, unkempt, I'M
eouth, stumbling, horrid boy, he emerged
into being a respectable neat, tidy. order
loving, painstaking. and industrious yonDg
man. | had found there was something
he could do, and something he liked to do,
and that was all there was to it. By do
Jag something worth the doing he had no
time or liking for doing what was not
worth doing, and mischief became no
longer the object of his existence Win-
tAyop, Amer. TEACHER.