Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-07-24

all obstacles because the impulses of
man were in him. And right beside
him, in that primary school, were
American-born youths who. neglected
every educational opportunity, thought
it feat of glory to bag it," as young
America termed truancy, and have
tasted the bitter ashes of their neglect
in all their future lives.
1 have seen boys come into that old
Boys High School of that Lancas-
terian building who were from homes
of refinement and comparative wealth.
They had fond parents who were de-
sirous of giving them finished educa-
tions And l have seen some of these
boys who continually shirked every
duty of school, defied parental author
ity and ignored every appeal of teach
ers to apply themselves to honest, con-
scientious work,-who became shift
less buns and wandering vagabonds
on the face of the earth.
I have seen beside these same short
sighted youth, boys who came from
the homes of impoverished widows to
whom the purchase of the necessary
school books for a high school course
alert, self-reliant, I have seen these
poor boys go forth into the world
well equipped for life's struggle and
to-day occupying commanding posi-
tions in the business, political and
professional life of our own State and
of other Commonwealths.
Honor and shame from no condition
rise;
Act well your part,-there all the
honor lies"
Yet the same tragedies will be re-
peated till the end of time.-and along
the ages men and women will discover,
when too late, that a wasted youth
| brings life of remorse.
A Heroine of the School Room
Many years ago, when Miss Givler
presided over the Girls High School
of Harrisburg. located in State street
near Third, there was a studious girl
who won the love of all her teachers
! by her application and gentle dsposi-
! tion. She never missed a session, but
was tardy often-very often, always
stating with an engaging smile that
she had been detailed by some neces-
sary housework.
The wonder of heI teachers was
somewhat excited when. on several oc-
casionS, she was noticed dropping off
carefully made developed that she was
indeed a heroine of humble life-one
of the thousands of this worlds noble
souls who walk on, year after year,
without murmur, in the rugged path
of duty because it is the path of duty.
| Her mother was dead and this gentle
! girl in her teens had become a true.
devoted mother to her little orphaned
! brothers and sisters. On some days
she rose at 4 o'clock in the morning
to do the family washing before she
started to school From each session
of school she fastened home to get
the meals; and long into the night she
patched and mended and did the thou
sand little things necessary to keep up
a happy and comfortable home. And
with this all, she ever maintained a
respectable standing in her class. II
is pleasure to add that the future
had SUMMER skies for this heroine OF
the sChoolroom.
/ recall in the years Of the far past
a female teacher of our city who went
to her grave a martyr to her sense OF
duty in keeping together in comfort a
numerous and not too appreciative
family all of whom seemed to depend
on her and her alone to supply every
thing, do everything, without them
selves putting a hand to the oar. But
she rests quietly, life's fitful fever Ger
and the story is best not to be paraded
in its entirety at this late day.