The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-10-30

decidedly surpasssd ~ oshsn that jade
men. vss promptly rsadsssd in b" isv'
or.
The tssches spsis pens couusndstory
words aud vs. sbossls pses mt The books
10 Harry When Dsssp Po9rsn Of the CON
miitee arose and ssi1:
Master. " have - 20 doubt been edi'
6sd, bat I've ~ idsa thatiali these boys
have been prspasieg. Nov my idea Of
speaking is 10 tslk tight out, without
much preparation. Arc there any boy.
here Who can spssk . piece Who hsin's
been particularly psepsssdi
Tue tsachsr looked sos splussd aud then
replied: Iopins shess i not . boy In the
room Who. would dsss attempt any such
thing. snd shosld give the books to
Harry.
/ Bot - Mrs. Posfsn aissrwsrd remark.
ed. vhsievsr undss ~ Sun possssssd The
deacon, be wss eosslassshis pushin' thsu.
ssd be requested he tssehss 70 ask The
boys II any one would speak piece to
the compsny which they had not prso'
ticed.
The teacher complied With the desire OF
the committee man. For few moments
there was no response and then voice
said fsintly. "I'lltry master.
A murmur OF establishment arose as the
children and the older people saw that
the audscious pupil vas that "psuper
boy, Joe."
For an ipstant the teacher Was dispos.
ed to take no notice OF him. but after
second thought he said 10 no very kindly
voice.
Well come aud try. Joe.
The boy slowly srcss and walked to-
wards the platform with not very grace.
ful cir. He certainly vas not very pre-
posing IN appearance. His clothing wss
coarse and ill.ftting. his sleeves we're far
too short for his arms, and be looked like
any thing but an orator.
Disregsrding everything and every body
around him be reached the platform. and
for an Instant faced the company in ell.
ence, All expected him to give mp 10 con
fusion. but be began to deliver portion
OF Webster's famous reply TO Hsyns. The
first sound Of his voice struck all with sur
prise. They had heard it before. but he
seemed to be possessed by the thoughts
be was uttering.
As he proceeded his form Strengthened,
his face lighted up,his whole beins chang |
ed, and his tones iell clear and eloquently
thrilled all bis hearers. They forgot who
was talking, they forgot be was only speak
ing piece, they we're spellbound. and
when the wonderful climax Was reached,
some Of them could have sworn that the
spirit Of the great expounder Of the conati |
tuition had entered the boy. They heard
the words "Liberty and Union, now and
forever. one and insspasAbls;" and then
there was bushsd sJl5ncs. followed By /
spontaneous. unanimous, overwhelming |
applause, which lasted some time. and
ceased only to be renewed sgsin and
again.
Deacon Pogram looked Triumphant. the
teacher was pale. The boy as soon as be
ended seemed to shrink into his former
self aud stood listless and fearful, and ap
peared Is though he had done something |
wrong instead Of achieving q splendid tri
umph.
Wa'sl, mater. l reckon there's no misl
taking who ought ter have them books
this time. said the deacon.
The teacher took the books from the
table and approaching the boy. who was
now sobbing.
Joe, he said. 10 voice more tender
than be had ever used before 10 the lad.
we are surprised: but We are delighted
too. and give you these books with great
pleasure.
The boy took the books. looked pleased
and proud. and then threw the books on
the floor and spoke rapidly. Keep you
books, don't want 'em; oil want is 70
go away from here and never come back
again. There isn't any body who cares for
me but Harry. Give him the books-he
ought to have them.
He stepped up to Harry, and threw bis
arms around tho latter's neck. and then be
fore the people realized what bet intended
to do, pushed bis way ont Of the room
into the schoolysrd. and bare headed ran
toward the village and Vas soon out Of
sight.
OF course there was scene OF confus
ion. Some Of the younger pupils we're
frightened. end everybody vas in doubt
what TO do or say. The books we're laid
away and the school hastily dismissed.
withou, even having sbs spseci %. which
the members OF the committs had been
preparing for fortnight or MIR.
Joe did not come blek. Harry refused
to take th. ooks which were pot swsy in
closst, snd gyadn.ly forgotten. Teachers
we're changed; the children grew mp, and
81 lsss there res s,scssol rbiss ksev no
thing Of Joe. ssfgsfa
Among the older people and those of
bis school mates who hsd not strayed
away in search OF fame snd fort une. there
was s~syss curiosity expressed about
where be could have gone. and kindly
feeling grew up 10 their hearts which
would have slsddened the poor boy had
be experienced il when With them.
The weeks passed rapidly into months.
and the feeting yesss came and vent, -
they seem 10 cone and 90 - ve get older
and note their suiis flight. The little
.,tl~.> h "A ~vowo In n 4 Vas0anfahly six. |