Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-05-06


 The oft told and praiseworthy story about the sterling quality of George Washington s truthfulness when lad and the straightforward confession, 1T cannot tell a lie, father; l did it with my little hatchet that have made the Father of His Country the idol of boyish hearts stands not alone as an example of American youthful integrity.
 Another lad, whom punishment as keenly dreaded confronted him and father more irate than Georges parent is ever pictured to have been. stood bold ly forth when questioned and acknowl- edged himself the oulprit. This other boy was Horace Greeley, and the story is an interesting one.
 It happened in the town of Erie, Pa, where Horace spent a great part of his boyhood. The lad was unusually preco- eious and at the age of 10 years was considered the prodigy of the town. He was great reader and eagerly devoured anything in the way of useful literature that came i'll his way. His father was poor man, and Horace had not many chances for mental culture. but so keen was the boys love of study and ambi- ton for knowledge that he used 10 visit by stealth an old neighbor who possessed handsome and finely stocked library. This old fellow was, to the mind of Horace's father, the essence of all that was irreligious. His name was Scaggs Nathaniel Scaggs-and despite his quiet method of living and his acknowl- edged honesty of character ho remained, to Mir Greeley's mind, vile and hard ened sinner Old Scaggs rarely attended any place of worship and on pleasant Sunday afternoons could always be seen sitting in his front garden boldly smok- ing his oorneob pipe These were the causes of Mir. Greeley's condemnation, and he dubbed the old scholar "a child of the devil. n
 But Scaggs had taken fancy to the bright faced Horace and invited the boy to his home After the first visit and q glimpse of that wonderful storehouse of books Horace could not stay away. He knew his father hated old Scaggs and called him Host soul, and he real ized if his visits to their neighbor reach cd his ears that his father would in- stantly prohibit his calls.
 At the same time old Scaggs' kind ness had won his heart. His wisdom had gained his admiration, and he felt the injustice of his fathers dislike to- ward his old friend. Besides the old man was teaching him Latin and open ing daily to the boyish mind fields of thought and speculation and pointing out with care and patience philosophio truths so eagerly listened to by young Horace.
 Once in the middle of a sentence Of Cicero, while the two wore engaged in their daily reading tho boy stopped short and exclaimed: Mfr Scaggs, my father doesn't liko you. He says you are a child of tho devil. ''
 The old man was silent for moment and then burst out laughing.
 Why does your father dislike me, Horace?" he asked.
 ''Well, you don't go to meeting, you know. sir. and then you smoke your pipe on Sunday.
 "Yes, do my boy, but did not know that was great sin. l am sorry your father dislikos me- my son. Let ue go on with Cicero. D And the reading continued That night Horace Greeley made up his mind to speak to his father and make plea for old scaggs friend- ship. Accordingly, just before bedtime Horace accosted his father;
 Father. is not God forbearing?" he asked.
 ''Yes my son. Why do you askf"
 ''Does ho not forgive much to those who are kind and intelligent?"
 Why do you ask2' still inquired the father.
 Well. think MT Scaggs is both kind and intellectual, and 1 somehow hoped the good Lord would overlook his smoking and not going to meeting. The old man at once grew stern, ques- tioned young Horace regarding his so- licitude for their neighbor, and evontu- ally the secret of the boys visits and studies was brought to light MT. Gree ley forbade his son to go eear old Scaggs again, denounced Latin books as im- pious reading and threatened the lad with the strap
 Horace Greeley, after he got to Do the editor of big New York newspaper, nsed to tell the story with much feeling
 After being forbidden old Soaggs' oompanionship. ho said. "I went and told the old man about it He seemed grieyed, but told me to obey my father The next day was with my teacher at the usual hour, and after promising him Iwould tell my father of my visit our lesson went on as usual. Then went home and told my dad, and he wal loped mel For whole week l contin ued my visits to my old preceptor. and each night received athrashing-m severe each timel At the end of the woek had to eat my meals standing up Then my father locked mo up for few days, and we left Erie for Vermont in less than q fortnight Yes. slipped