The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-01-19
THE GRAMMATICAL BOY.
Bill Nye Shows thu Difference Between
tho Old and the New Style.


Bill Nye Shows tho Difference Between
tho Old and the New Style.
Sometimes sad, homesick feeling comes
over me, when 1 compare the prevailing
style of anecdote and school literature with
the old McGuffey brand, so well known thirty
years ago. Today our Juvenile literature, it
seems to me, is so transparent, SO easy to I'M
derstand, that / am not surprised to learn
that the rising generation shows signs of law
lessness.
Boys today do not use the respectful Ian
guage and large, luxuriant words that they
did when Mr.. McGuffey used to stand around
and report their conversation for his justly
celebrated school reader. 1t is disagreeable
to think of, but it is none the less true, and
for one think we should face the facts.
ask the careful student of school literature
to compare the following selection which
have written myself with great care, and ar
ranged with special reference to the matter
of choice and difficult words, with the flippant
and common place terms used in the average
school book Of today:
One day as George Pillgarlic was going to
his task, and while passing through the wood,
he spied a tall man approaching in All oppo-
site direction along the highway
"Ahl" thought George, in a low, mellow
tone of voice, whom have we here?"
Good morning, my fine fellow exclaimed
the stranger. pleasantly. do you reside i'll
this localitys"
t'Indeed do retorted George, cheerfu!ly,
dofing hiscap. ''In yonder 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, land
oh, sir, that is why my poor mother is a
widow
"And how did your papa die?" asked the
man, as he thoughtfully stood on the other
foot while.
"Alas, sir" said George, as large, hot tear
stole down his pale cheek and fen with Il loud
report on the warty surface of mis- bare foot,
che was lost at sea in bitter gale The good
ship foundered two years ago last Christmas,
and father was foundered at the same timc.
No one knew of the loss of the ship and that
the crew was drowned until the next spring,
| and then it WIS toe late"
| "And what is your age, my fine fellow?'
| quoth the stranger.
| IL L
in declamatory tone of voice suitable, for
a second reader, Il will be years of age,"
''And who provides for your mother anC
her large family of childrenF' queTied the
| man.
Indeed lido, sir," replied George in a,shril
tone. II toll, oh, so hard, sir, for we are
very, very poor, and since my elder sister
Ann, was married and brought her HUSBAND
L
siduously than heretofore"
And by what means Go you obtain a live
lihoods" exclaimed the man. in slowly meas
ured and grammatical words.
''By digging wells, kind sir," replie
George, pickinglup tired ant as he spok
and str0king'it on the back; II have goo
education, and>so l am able to dig wells a
well as "a man. l do this day times and tax
in washing at night. In this way L am Ell
abled barelyto maintain our family in a pre-
carious manner; but, oh, sir, should my othe
sisters marry, I fear that some OF my brother:
in-law would have to suffer"
"And do you not fear the deadly fir
damp?"; asked the stranger in an earnest tone
Not by damp sight" answered George
with;a low gurgling laugh, for shewas grea
wag
''You are indeed brave lad," exclaime
the stranger, as he repressed a smile. IAN
do You not at times become very weary an
wish for other ways of passing your time:"
Indeed 1 do, sir" said the lad. Il woul
fain run and romp and be gay. like other boy
, but 1 must engage in constant manual excl
else or we will have no bread to eat, and
have notseen a pie since papa persisted in tn
moist and moaning sea-"
s'And what if 1 were to tell you that you
papa did not perish at sea, butwas saved froI
a humid graveF" asked the stranger in plea:
: ing tones.
"Ah, sir" exclaimed George, in a gentes
: manner, again doffing his cap, II am to
polite toytell you what would say, and bt
sides, sir, you are much larger than am."
"But, my brave lad," said the man in low
musical tones, do you not know me, George
Oh, Georgel"
II must say" replied George, "that yo
have the advantage of me. Whilst 1 ma
, have met you before, l cannot at this mc
5 ment place you, sir"
my son! oh, my son!" murmured the MAJ
at the same time taking large strawberr
mark nutof his valise and showing it to tt
lad. lido you not recognize your parent O
your fathers side? When our good ship wer
to the bottom, all persisted save me. swan
several miles through the pillows, and at las
utterly exhausted, gave up all hope of lif
Suddenly stepped on something hard.
was the United States Bill Nye in Detro
Free Press.