News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1890-10-23

~ ODA1' ~, wv.
ers, and a few were hateful in thei
intercourse with him.
One day as he came into the schoC
yard, one or two of the boys mad
faces at him, and taunted him abou
his poverty. The boy bore their in
suits for a time without showing an,
signs of unnatural feeling. This EN-
boldened the little torments, whC
grew more insOlent in their remarks
when a tear stole down the boy.
cheek. He clenched his fist as if tt
strike, but refrained from doing so
and exclaimed, "Ill go away anC
never come back to this hatefu
place" As he said this he turned
and started at a rapid pace, as
thoug1 to clirry his threat into exc
cution. As ne did SO Harry Jackson
a little olS& {an he, stopped him
and in ss>ye k&pathetic tone said
s. DogS - they're hateful
e91 .hHt the 1ksst va {,
your frieNanderbilt) aillfWoe Teallf
burst out 3ew: SO splea I suffered
yard. 1sF-4 49,. orlTI
At this instance his diligence was
more marked than ever, but the fact
that the others had the start
of him made him appear at a disad-
vantage. This was a sore trial to
him. especially as he sometimes over
heard himself unjustly spoken of as
stupid, by those who should have
known better.
Time sped along without bringing
him any great respite from the un-
pleasant relations in which he found
himself. The children as they grew
older were not so rude in their action,
| but their manner indicated disdain !;
the teacher, though not neglecting
him, evidently did not place him
among his favorite pupils.
One autumn day there was large
assembly of parents and friends in
the schOol-house The older boys
and girls had decorated the walls
with leaves and evergreen, and all
were evidently arrayed for some I'M
usual occasion. Every scholar was
in his or her place, sitting in precise
attitude, with attentive manner.
The remaining available space was
occupied by proud mammas, each
conscious Of the merits of her own
children, by fathers i'll at ease in their
Sunday clothes, by sympathizing
friends, and prominent on the plat
form those imposing local dignita-
ries, the school committee, who
were usually spoken of with the ac-
cent on the com.
There were four of these latter and
they all looked wise enough to en-
body all the wisdom of the ages The
children had a spelling match, "did
sums, read in the monotone, famil-
lar in those days, and crowned their
efforts by speaking pieces" \
A prize OF some books had been of
fered for the best speaker, and opin
ion halted between Harry Jackson
and two others, as to whom would
be the successful contestant. The
two boys spoke their respective
pieces fairly well and won rapturOus
applause, a great part of 1T coming
from their relatives, Ihe-paFants of
each were fully convinced where the
prize would be awarded if Justice was
done. Then 'came Harry Jackson,
who possessed many natural gifts as
a speaker. He so easily and decided
ly surpassed the Others that iudg
ment was promptly rendered in his
favor.
The teacher spoke some commend
atorv words and was about to pre-
sent the books to Harry when Dea-
con POgram of the committee arose
and said:
Master, we have all no doubt been
edited, but I've an idea that all
these boys had been a preparing.
Now my idea of speaking is to talk
right out, without much preparation.
Are there any boys here who can
speak piece who hain't been par
ticularlY prepared?"
The teacher looked nonplused and
then replied: Il opine there is not
a boy in the room who would dare
attempt any such thing, and Ishould
give the books to Harry"
But, as Mrs. Pogram afterward re-
marked, "whatever under the sun
possessed the deacon, he was consid-
erable pushin' then," and he request
ed the teacher to ask the boys if any
one would speak piece to the COM
pany which they had not practiced.
The teacher complied with the de-
sire of the committee man. For a
few moments there was no response
and then IA voice said family, "I'll
try, master.
A murmur of astOnishment arose
as the children and the older people
saw that the audaciOus pupil was
that "pauper boy, Joe"
For an instant the teacher was dis
posed to take no n9tice Of him, but
after a second thought he said in no
very kindly Foioel
"Well, come and try, Joe"
The boy slowly arose and walked
towards the platform with a not
very graceful air. He certainly was
not very prepossessing in appear
ance. His clothing was coarse and
ill-fitting, his sieJves We're far too
short for his arms, and he looked
like anything but an orator.
Disregarding e&yeryghiRsg & and every
iD1AF around nm he reached the
platform, and for an instant faced
the company in silence. all expected
him to give up in confusion, but he
began to deliver j, portion of Web
ster's famous reply to Hayne. The
first sound of his voice struck all with
surprise. They had heard it before,
but he seemed to be possessed by the
thoughts he was qttering.
AS he proceeded his form straight
ened, his face lighted up, his whole
being changed, and his tones fell
clear and eloquently, thrilling all his
hearers. They forgot who was talk
ing, they forgot he was only speak
ing piece, they were spell-bound,
and when the wonderful climax was
reached, some of them could have
sworn that the spirit of the great eX-
FOUNDER of the constitution had en-
tered the boy. They heard the words
Liberty and lni0n, now and forev
er, one and mseparablei" and then
there was a hushed silence, followed
by spontaneous, unanimous, over.
whelming applause, which lasted
some time, and ceased only to be re-