The daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1892-1897, 1895-06-10
GREELEY AS A BOY.
he LOVED TRUTH AND WAS WAL
LOPEO FOR HIS INTEGRITY.

to the Boy Who Wanted to Learn.
The oft told and praiseworthy story
about tho sterling quality of George
Washington s truthfulness when lad
and the straightforward confession, II
cannot tell lie, father; did it with
my little Ratchet. 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, when punishment as
keenly dreaded confronted him and
father more irate than Georges parent
is ever pictured TO have been, stood bold
" forth when questioned and acknowl-
edged himself the culprit. This other
boy was Horace Greeley, and the story
is an interesting one
Ii happened in the town of Erie, Pa,
where Horace spent q great part of his
boyhood. The lad was unusually preco-
oious and at the age of 10 years was
considered the prodigy of the town. lie
was a great reader ard eagerly devoured
anything in the way Of useful literature
that came in his way. His father was a
poor man. aud Horace had not many
chances for mental culture. but so keen
was the boys love of study aud ambi
ton 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, tho 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 Mr. Greeiey's mind. vile and hard
ened sinner Old Scaggs rarely attended
any place of worship aud ON pleasant
Sunday afternoons could always be seen
sitting in his front garden boldly smols-
ing his corncob pipe These were the
causes of Mr.. GIeeley's condemnation,
and be dubbed the old scholar "a child
of the devil.
But Scaggs had taken 4 fancy TO the
bright faced Horace aud invited the boy
to his home. After the first visit and
glimpse of that wonderful storehouse of
books Horace could not stay away. he
knew his father hated old Scacgs and
called him a lost soul, aud he real
lied 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 were engaged in
their daily reading the boy stopped short
and exclaimed: Mr.. Scaggs, my father
doesn't like you. He says you are n
child of the 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. ] am sorry
your father dislikes me, my son. Let rs
90 on with Cicero. And the reading
continued That night Horace Greeley
made up his mind TO speak to bis father
and make plea for old Scaggs' friend
ship. Accordingly. just before bedtime
Horace aoeosted his father;
Father, is not God forbearingY" he
asked.
Eyes. my son. Why do you ask"
docs he not forgive much to those
who are kind and Intelligent"
Why do you askf'' still inquired the
father
wen. ] think Mr. 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.
licitude for their neighbor, aud eventu-
ally the secret of the boys visits and
studies was brought to light Mr. Gree
ley forbade his son TO 20 near old Scaggs
again, denounced Latin books as i'm
pIous reading and threatened the lad
with the strap.
Horace Greeley, after he got 10 be the
editor of big New York newspaper,
used to tell the story with much feeling.
After being forbidden old Soaggs'
companionship. be said, 81 went and
told the old man about it He seemed
grieved, but told me to obey my father
The next day was with my teacher at
the usual hour, and after promising
him would tell my father of my visit
our lesson went Oh Us usual. Then
went home and told my dad, and he wal
loped mel For whole week contin-
ued- my visits to my old preceptor, and
each rIght / received thrashing-more
severe each tilnel At the end of ths
week / had toeat my meals standing up
Then my father locked me up for a few
days, and we left Erie for Vermont i'll
less than a fortnight Yes ! slipped
out and bale old Scaggs goodby
TIE old man was fearful aud gave me-
the worn volume OF Cicero as a parting