Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-03-25
THE GRAMMATICAL BOY.
Bill Nye Shows the Difference Between
the Old and the New StyIe.

the Old and the New Style.
Sometimes a sad, homesick feeling comes
over me, when | 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 UNI
derstand that am not surprised to learn
that the rising generation shows signs of law
/ lessness.
/ Boys today do not use the respectful lam
/ 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 disagreeahlo
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, aud ar
ranged with special reference to the matter
of choice and difficult words, with the fippant
and common place terms used in the averhge
school book of today;
One day as George Pillgarlic was going to
his task, and while passing through the wood,
he spied tall man approaching in an oppo-
site direction along the highway.
"Ahp thought George, in a low, mellow
tone of voice, "whom have we herep
"Good morning, my fine fellow" exclaimed
the stranger, pleasantly. do you reside in
this localityT
"Indeed do retorted George, cheerfully,
doffing hiscap. SIN yonder cottage, near the
glen, my widowed mother and her thirteen
children dwell with me-"
"And is your father deadp exclaimed the
man with a rising infection.
Extremely so,' murmured the lad, "and
oh, sir, that is why my poor mother is Q
widow"
"And how did your papa der asked the
man, as he thoughtfully stood on the other
foot while.
"Alas, SIR" said George, as a large, hot teal
stole down his pale cheek and fell with LOUD
report on the warty surface of his 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 time
No one knew of the loss of the ship and that
the crew was drowned until the next spring
and then it was too laie.n
Sand what is your age my fine fellow 7
quoth the stranger.
''If | live till next October, - said the boy
in declamatory tone of voice suitable foI
a second reader, 81 will be 0 years of age"
"And who provides for your mother anC
her large family of childrenp queried the
man.
Indeed do, sir" replied George in shril
tone. Il toll, oh, so hard, sir, for we arr
very, very poor, and since my elder sister
Ann, was married and brought her husband
home to live with us | have to toll more as
siduously than heretofore"
"And by what means do you obtain a live
/ lihoodn exclaimed the man, in slowly meas
ured and grammatical words.
"By digging wells, kind sir" replie
George, picking up tired ant as he spok
and stroking it ON the back; II have a goo
education ,and so | am able TO dig wells a
well as a man. do this day times and tax
in washing at night. In this way | am Ell
abled barely to maintain our family i'm pr
carious manner; but, oh, sir, should my othe
sisters marry, l fear that someo of my brother
in-law would have to suffer"
"And do you not fear the deadly fiji
dampg" asked the stranger in an earnest tom
"Not by a damp sight," answered Georg
with a low gurgling laugh, for he was grea
wag.
siYou are indeed brave lad" exclaime
the stranger, as he depressed smile. AN
do YOU not at times become very weary an
wish for other ways Of passing your timer
"Indeed do, sir,n said the lad. II woul
fain run and romp and be gay like other boy
but must engage in constant manual exel
else or we will have no bread TO eat, and
have not seen a pie since papa persisted in IL
moist and moaning sea-"
"And what il | were to tell you that you
papa did not perish at sea, but was saved froi
a humid graveln asked the stranger in plea
ing tones.
"Ah, sir" exclaimed George, in gente'
manner, again dofflng his cap, II am to
polite to tell you what would say, and b
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, Georger"
II must say" replied George, that yo
have the advantage Of me. Whilst ma
have met you before, cannot at this m
ment place you, sir"
"My son oh, my sonr murmured the maj
at the same time taking large strawberr
mark out of his valise and showing 1t to Il
lad. "Do you not recognize your parent Q
your fathers sidei When our good ship wei
to the bottom, all persisted save me. | swai
several miles through the pillows, and at las
utterly exhausted, gave up all hope OF III
Suddenly stepped on something hard
was the United States. bill Nye in Detro
!