Year: 1862

Gases like the one am about to relate are much
too frequent in our country, and they such, too,
as should be guarded against by all who have an
interest in education. The incident was brought to
nv mind by hearing complaint made by the pa
rent of poor boy, who had been grossly neglected
by the teacher of the village school, - neglected
simply because he poor and comparatively
fricndless


Many years ago, when was but a small boy,
attended school in the town of NJ. Among the
scholars was boy named George Henry His
father was poor, drinking man, and the unforu
nate boy had to suffer in consequence George
came to school habted in ragged garments - but
they were the best he had he was rough and un-
couth in his manners, for he had been brought up
in that manner; he was very ignorant, for he had
never had opportunity for education


Season after season. poor George Henry occupied
the same seat in the school-room, it was back
corner scat, away from the other scholars, - and
there he thumbcd his tatcrcd primer. The ragged
condition Of his galb gave hcmcly cast to his
whole appearance, and what of intelligence there
might have been in his eountenance was bcclouded
ly the "out1r covering of thc boy. H. seldom
plared with the ether children, for they seem
Sham hin, but when he did, for awhile, Join with
them in their sports he was so rough that he was
soon showed off out of the way


The teacher passed the boy cGldly by in the
street wh;e other boys, i'll better garbs, were kind
" noticed. The teacher neglected him, ard then
called him an F'idle hockhcad " because he did
not learn. The hoy received no incentive to study,
and consequently he was most of the time idle, and
idleness bcgat disposition to while away the time
in mischief.


For this he was whipped, and the more he was
whipped the more idle and careless he became. lie
knew that he was neglected by the teacher simply
because he was poor and ragged, and with n sort
Of sullen indifference, shnrpcned at times by feel
ings of bitterness, he poddcd on in his dark, thank
less way.


Thus matters went on for several years. Most
of the scholars who were of George Henry's age
had passed on to the higher branches of Study,
while he poor fellow still spelled out short words
Of one and two syllabes, and still kept his distant
seat in the corner, His fsther had sunk lower in
the pit of nebriation and the unfortunate boy was
more wretched than ever The look of clownish
indifference which had marked his countenancc,
was giving way to a shade Of unhappy thought and
feeling and it evident that the great turn-pont
of his life was at hand. He stood now upon the
Stcp Ill llic from WHICH ldtc Ol YEARS
take its cast.


At this time man by the name Of Kelly took
charge of the school. He old teacher, n
careful observer of human nature, and a really
good man. Long years of guardianship over wild
youths had given him bluff, authoritative way,
and in his discipline he strict and unwayering.
The first day he passed in the teachers desk of our
school was mostly devoted to watching the move
ents Of the scholars and studying the dispositions
with which he had TO deal. Upon George Henry
his eye rested with a keen. searching glance. But
he evidently made little of him during the first day,
but on the second he did more. II was during the
afternoon of the second day that Mr.. Kelly observ-
ed young Henry engaged in impaling flies upon the
point of large pin. He went to the boys seat,
and after reprimanding him for his ideness, he
took up the dirty, tattered primer from his desk.


"Have you never learned more than is in this
book ?" asked the teacher


ono, sir" drawlcd George.


How long have you attended school2"


al don't know, sir. It's ever since can remem-
ber."


"Then you must be an idle reckless boy" said
the teacher, with much severity ado you realize
how many years you have thrown away2 Do you
know how much you have lost 2 What sort of a
man do you think of making in this way? One OF
these days you will be too old To 60 to school, and
them while your companions seeking some hon
orable employment, you will be good for moth
ing. Have you ary parents 20


Yes, sir" answered the boy, in hoarsc, sub
dued tone. se 4..--. .--r.rFr


"And do they wish you to grow up tn be an ig-
norant, worthless man? ?"


The boy hung down his head, and was silent
hut Mr. Kelly saw two great tears roll down his
cheeks In an instant the teacher saw that he had
something besides idle, stubborn mind to deal
with in the ragged scholar before him. He laid his
hand upon the boys head and in kind tone, he
said


81 wish you to stop after school is dismissed. Do
not be afraid, for wish to assist you if | can"
George looked up wonderingly into the master.
face, for there was something in the tones of thu
voice which fell upon his ear that sounded strange
ly to him and he thought too as he looked around
that the rest of the scholars regarded him viii
kinder countenances than usual. A dim though
broke in upon his mind that, from some cause, h,
was going to be happier than before


After the school was dismissed, George Henr,
remained in his seat till the teacher called him |.
the desk.