The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1890-01-17
LIE, r. l., FRIDAY, JANUARY II, 1890.
THE GRAMMATICAL BOY.
Bili Nye shows the Difference Betwceu
the old aud the New style.

Bil Nye shows the Difference Betwceu
the Old aud the New style.
Sometimes "a sad, homesick feeling comes
over me, when ! compare the prevailing
style of Rncclote and school literature with
the old McGulfey brand, 80 well known thirty
years ago. Today our Juvenile literature, 10
seems 90 me, Is 80 Transparent ~ easy 10 un-
ierstand, that | ann not surprised 90 learn
that the rising generation shows signs OF law
leSSuesS
Boys today 10 not usc the respectful Ian.
guage ami large mNuriant words that they
lid when Mr., McGuifcy used 10 stand around
and report their conversation for his Justly
celebrated school reader lt is diSagrceahle
to think of, but it is none the less true, aud
Tor one think We should face the facts
ask the careful student OF school literature
10 compare the following selection, which
have written myself with great care, and ar.
ranged with special reference 20 the matter
Of choice and difficult words, with the flippant
AMI common place terms used in the average
school book of today;
One day ns George Pillgarlc was going 90
his task and while passing through tho wood,
he spic,i a tall man approaching in an oppo-
site direction along the highway
"Ah" thought George, in low, mellow
tone ~ voice, whom have We horcr
"Go,i morning, my nnofellow, +" exclaimed
~ stranger pleasantly DO you reside in
th, lpcshtyr
"lulOsl do" rctorted George, chcerfuy,
dolllng hiscip In yondor cottage, near the
glen, my widowed mother and her thirteen
children dwell with me
And Is your father dcadT exclaimed the
man with rising infection
"Eytrcmcly -, murmurrd tho lad, land
oh, sir, that is why my poor mother is
widow
"And how did your papa der asked the
man, as hc thoughtfuly stood ON the other
foot a while,
"Aas. sir, said George, as a large, hot tear
stole down his pale chcoh aud fell with "A loud
report on the warty surface of his bare foot,
che was lost at sea In a bitter gale. The good
ship toundercd two years ngo last Christmas,
pud father was foundcrcd at the Same time
No one knew Of the loss OF the ship and that
tho crew Was drow-.SJ until the next spring,
aud then u was too late
Aud what Is your ngc, my Zine fcllowr
quuth the stranger
III live ttll next October, % said the boy
in dcchm1tory tone of voice suitable Tor
IA second reader, II will hc o years OF age"
"Anl who provides for your mother and
her large family ~ children" qucrioi tho
man.
"lnd,s'l ,lo, sir, replied George In a shrill
tone. Il toll oh, 40 hard, sir Tor We are
very, very poor, md since my elder sister.
Ann, was married and brought her husband
home 10 live with us | have 90 toll more ns
siduouIy than heretofore
And by what mcaHs do YOU obtain "A live.
l.. a L.. l.. "a
urcd and grammatical words
"By digging wells, kind SIR replied
George, picking up n tired ant M ho spoke
aud stroking 1t on the back; II have good
education, and 80 nm able 30 dig wells a.
well as n man, ! do thia day times aud take
in washing at night IN this way am en-
ahlcd barely to maintain our family In n pre-
rariuus manner but. oh, sir, should my other
sisters marry fear that some ~ my brothers
Ia law would have 10 suffer-
"And do YOU not fear the deadly fire
dnmpT nkcd the stranger In AN earnest tono
Not by n damp sight" answered George
with low gurgng laugh, Tor ho was n great
wag.
"You are iudrrl u brave lad exclaimed
the stranger, "a, ho roprcsscl a smile. And
DO you not al times become very weary and
wish for other WAYS Of passing your timer
Indeed ! do sir 4" slid te lad II would
fain run md romp and bo guy like other boys
but must engage in constant manual cXcr-
ciso or we will hnvc no brcnd ~ cnt, and
have not seen pic since pnpa peri.hci Ia the
moist aud moaning sea-
"Aud what Il ! were To- tell you that your
puua dil not perish Ht sea, but Was saved from
humid graycf nskcl the stranger in pleas
ing tones
"Ah, sir, exclaimed George IN n goutcol
manner, again doniug his cap, ~ am too
polite b. tell you what J would sny, aud be.
sides, sir, you nrc much larger thun ann
But my brave lad, said the man In low
musical tones, "dp you not know me, Goorge'
Oh, George"
81 must sny,n replied George, "that you
have the advantage ~ mo. Whilst may
have mot you before. ! cannot at this mo.
mcnt place you, sir
"My son! oh, my SOM muruured the man,
nt the same time taking large strawberry
mark out u his vnlise nu1 showing ~ 81 the
lai "Do you not recognize your parent on
your father sidci When our good ship went
20 the bottom all persisted save INC. swan
several miles through The bllows, md at last,
utterly exhausted gave up all hope of life.
Suddenly stepped on something hard u
was the United Stntoa. "-Blll Nyc IN Detroit