Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-05-03
GREELEY AS A BOY.
HE LOVED TRUTH AND WAS WAL
 LoPEO FOR HIS INTEGRITY.

The oft told and praiscworthy story about the sterling quality Uf George Washington s truthfulness when a lad and the straightforward confession, ''I cannot tell a lie, father; 1 did 1t with my little hatchet," that havo made the Father of His Country the idol of boyish hearts stands not alone as an example of American youthful integrity.
 Another lad, when punishment as keenly dreaded confronted him and a father more irate than Georges parent is ever pictured to have been, stood bold ly forth when questioned and acknowl- edged himself tho culprit This other boy was Horace Greeley, and the story is au interesting one.
 It happened in the town of Erie, Pa, where Horace spent a great part of his boyhood. Tho lad was unusually prcCo- ciouS and at the age of 10 years was considered the prodigy of the town. He was great reader ard eagerly dovourcd anything ill the way of useful literature that came in his way. His father was a poor man, and Horace had not many chances for mental culture, but so keen was the boys love of study and ambi tion for knowledge that he used to visit by stealth an old neighbOr who possessed a 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 he remained, to MT. Groeloy'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 i'll his front garden boldly smok- ing his cornCob pipe. These were the causes of MT Grccley's condemnation, and he dubbed the old scholar "a child of the devil.
 But StacGs had taken a fancy to the bright faced Horace and invited the boy to his home After the first visit and a 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 ho real iZrd 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 h the royiSh mind fields of thought and speculation and pointing out with caro and patience philoSophic truths 90 eagerly listened to by young Horace.
 Once in tho middle of a sentence of Cicero. while tho two were engaged in their daily reading tho boy stopped short and exclaimed: MT. Scaggs, my father doesn't like you. He says you are q child of the devil. :"
 The oIi man was silent for moment and then burst ont laughing.
 "Why does your father dislike me, Horace:" ho asked,
 "Wrll. you don't go to meeting, you know, sir. and then you smoke your pip,' on sunday.
 Yes. do, my boy, but did not know that was great sin. l am sorry your father dislikes me, my son. Let us | go on with Cicero. v And the reading | continued. That night Horace Greeley made mp bis mind to speak to his father and make plea for cid Scaggs' friend ship. Accordingly, just before bedtime Horace accosted his father:
 Father, is not God fofbearing?" he asked.
 "Ycs, my son. Why do you ask:"
 "DOes ho not forgive much to those who are kind and intclligent:"
 Why do you ask?' still inquired the father.
 Well, l think Mir. Scaggs is both kind and intellectual, and somehow hoped the good Lord would overlook his smoking and not going to meeting The old man at once grew stern, Ques toned young Horace regarding his so licitudr for their ncighbor, and eventu ally the secret of the boy s visits anC studies was brought to light. Mir Gree lev forbade his son to go near old Scagg again, denounced Latin books as i'm pious reading and threatened the lac with the strap.
 Horace Greeley, after he got to be tn, editor of big New York newspaper used to tell the story with much feeling
 After being forbidden old Scaggs conpauionShip, ho said. II went anC told the old man about it. He seemed Cricvld. but tulG me to obey my father The next day was with my teacher a the usual hour, and after prOmiSin; him Iwuull tell my father of my visi ' cur lesson went on as usual. Then
 went homo and told my dad. and he wal . lopcd me, For a whole week l contin uvd lav visits to my old preceptor, an, each night received q thrashing-mor
 severe each time! At the end of tn
 week 1 had to eat my meals standing up n Then my father locked me up for a feN
 days, and We left Erie for Vermont i
 less than n fortnight. Yes. l slippe
 out and bade old ScaggS goodby
 The old man was fearful and gave Ill
 the worn volume of Cicero as a partin
 gift Of course got a licking for ths
 visit also, but had seen my old frien
 and had my beloved Latin reader but ; toned tightly beneath my waistcoat
 honored my father always MT. Greele |. concluded, but I never forGave hil l. those lashings. He was blue Presb! ; terian and could not tolerate Sabbat
 breaking. He was a mighty good mal 5 but when I think of those whippings
 and then Mr Greeley used to sQuirn !. much to the delight of his listeners. . New York Recorder.
 The mosaic on one Pompeii floor
 known 10 have cost S12.