Sanders' Union Fourth Reader Part 14

2. He was not, at heart, a malicious boy; but he had a foolish ambition of being thought witty and sarcastic; and he made himself feared by a habit of turning things into ridicule. He seemed to be constantly looking out for something to occur, which he could turn into derision.

3. Hartly was a new scholar, and little was known of him among the boys.

One morning as we were on our way to school, he was seen driving a cow along the road toward the pasture. A group of boys, among whom was Vincent, met him as he was pa.s.sing.

4. "Now," said Vincent, "let us have a little sport with our country rustic." So saying, he exclaimed: "Halloo, Jonathan! [Footnote: A t.i.tle frequently applied to the Yankees by the English.] what is the price of milk? What do you feed her on? What will you take for all the gold on her horns? Boys, if you want to see the latest Paris style, look at those boots!"

5. Hartly waved his hand at us with a pleasant smile, and, driving the cow to the field, took down the bars of a rail-fence, saw her safely in the pasture, and then, putting up the bars, came and entered the school with the rest of us. After school, in the afternoon, he let out the cow, and drove her away, none of us knew where. Every day, for two or three weeks, he went through the same task.

6. The boys who attended the Academy, were nearly all the sons of wealthy parents, and some of them were foolish enough to look down, with a sort of disdain, upon a scholar who had to drive a cow to pasture; and the sneers and jeers of Vincent were often repeated.

7. One day, he refused to sit next to Hartly in school, on a pretense that he did not like the odor of the barn. Sometimes he would inquire of Hartly after the cow's health, p.r.o.nouncing the word "ke-ow," after the manner of some people.

8. Hartly bore all these silly attempts to wound his feelings and annoy him, with the utmost good nature. He never once returned an angry look or word. One time, Vincent said: "Hartly, I suppose your father intends to make a milkman of you."

9. "Why not?" said Hartly. "Oh, nothing," said Vincent; "only do not leave much water in the cans after rinsing them--that's all!" The boys laughed, and Hartly, not in the least mortified, replied: "Never fear; if I ever rise to be a milkman, I will give _good measure_ and _good milk_ too."

10. A few days after this conversation, there was a public exhibition, at which a number of ladies and gentlemen from the city, was present.

Prizes were awarded by the Princ.i.p.al of the Academy, and Hartly and Vincent each received one; for, in respect to scholars.h.i.+p, they were about equal.

11. After the prizes were distributed, the Princ.i.p.al remarked that there was _one prize_, consisting of a medal, which was _rarely_ awarded, not so much on account of its great value, as because the instances are _rare_ that merit it. It is THE PRIZE FOR HEROISM. The last boy on whom it was conferred, was Master Manners, who, three years ago, rescued the blind girl from drowning.

12. The Princ.i.p.al then said, "With the permission of the company, I will relate a short story. Not long since, some boys were flying a kite in the street, just as a poor boy on horseback rode by, on his way to mill.

The horse took fright, and threw the boy, injuring him so badly that he was carried home, and confined for some weeks to his bed.

13. "None of the boys who had caused the disaster, followed to learn the fate of the wounded boy. There was one, however, who witnessed the accident from a distance, and went to render what service he could. He soon learned that the wounded boy was the grandson of a poor widow, whose only support consisted in selling the milk of a fine cow, of which she was the owner.

14. "Alas! what could she now do? She was old and lame, and her grandson, on whom she depended to drive the cow to pasture, was now sick and helpless. 'Never mind, good woman,' said the boy, 'I can drive your cow.' With thanks, the poor widow accepted his offer.

15. "But the boy's kindness did not stop here. Money was wanted to purchase medicine. 'I have money that my mother sent me to buy a pair of boots,' said the boy; 'but I can do without them for the present.'

16. "'Oh, no!' said the old lady, 'I can not consent to that; but here is a pair of cowhide boots that I bought for Henry, who can not wear them. If you will buy them, giving me what they cost, I can get along very well.' The boy bought the boots, clumsy as they were, and has worn them up to this time.

17. "When the other boys of the Academy saw this scholar driving a cow to the pasture, he was a.s.sailed with laughter and ridicule. His thick cowhide boots, in particular, were made matters of mirth. But he kept on cheerfully and bravely, day after day, driving the widow's cow to the pasture, and wearing his thick boots, contented in the thought that he was _doing right_, not caring for all the jeers and sneers that could be uttered.

18. "He never undertook to explain why he drove the cow; for he was not inclined to display his charitable motives, and besides, in heart, he had no sympathy with the false pride that looks with ridicule on any useful employment. It was by _mere accident_ that his course of conduct and self-denial, was yesterday discovered by his teacher.

19. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, I appeal to you. Was there not _true heroism_ in this boy's conduct? Nay, Master Hartly, do not steal out of sight behind the blackboard! You were not ashamed of _ridicule_--you must not shun _praise. Come forth, come forth, Master Edward James Hartly, and let us see your honest face!_"

20. As Hartly, with blus.h.i.+ng cheeks, made his appearance, the whole company greeted him with a round of applause for his _heroic conduct_.

The ladies stood upon benches, and waved their handkerchiefs. The old men clapped their hands, and wiped the moisture from the corners of their eyes. Those clumsy boots on Hartly's feet seemed prouder ornaments, than a crown would have been on his head. The medal was bestowed on him, amid the applause of the whole company.

21. Vincent was heartily ashamed of his ill-natured sneers, and, after the school was dismissed, he went, with tears in his eyes, and tendered his hand to Hartly, making a handsome apology for his past ill manners.

"Think no more about it," said Hartly; "let us all go and have a ramble in the woods, before we break up for vacation." The boys, one and all, followed Vincent's example, and then, with shouts and huzzas, they all set forth into the woods--a happy, cheerful group.

QUESTIONS.--1. In what way did Vincent try to make derision of Hartly?

2. How did Hartly receive it? 3. For what did Hartly receive a prize from his teacher? 4. How did the spectators manifest their approbation of Hartly's conduct?

LESSON II.

A VERT' ED, turned aside.

RE PENT' ANT, contrite; sorrowful.

SIN CERE', honest; true-hearted.

SE VERE', harsh; rigid TAUNTS, scoffs; insults.

PLATE, dishes of gold or silverware.

DE SERT', forsake; abandon.

FAIL' URE, want of success.

SID' ING, taking part.

TYR' AN NY, oppression; cruelty.

YOU AND I.

CHARLES MACKAY.

1. Who would scorn his humble fellow For the coat he wears?

For the poverty he suffers?

For his daily cares?

Who would pa.s.s him in the foot-way With averted eye?

Would you, brother'? No',--you _would_ not.

If _you_ would,--not _I_.

2. Who, when vice or crime repentant, With a grief sincere, Asked for pardon, would refuse it, More than heaven severe?

Who, to erring woman's sorrow, Would with taunts reply?

Would _you_, brother'! No',--you _would_ not.

If _you_ would,--not _I_.

3. Would you say that Vice is Virtue In a hall of state'?

Or, that rogues are not dishonest If they dine off plate'?

Who would say Success and Merit Ne'er part company?

Would _you_, brother'? No',--you _would_ not.

If _you_ would,--not _I_.

4. Who would give a cause his efforts When the cause is strong; But desert it on its failure, Whether right or wrong'?

Ever siding with the upmost, Letting downmost lie?

Would _you_, brother'? No',--you _would_ not.

If _you_ would,--not _I_.

5. Who would lend his arm to strengthen Warfare with the right'?

Who would give his pen to blacken Freedom's page of light'?

Who would lend his tongue to utter Praise of tyranny?

Would _you_, brother'? No',--you _would_ not.

If _you_ would,--not _I_.

QUESTIONS.--1. What rule for the rising and falling inflections, first verse? See page 28. 2. Repeat the rule. 3. What rule for the falling inflections, fifth verse? See page 29. 4. Repeat the rule. What is the meaning of the suffix _en_, in the words _strengthen_, _blacken?_ See SANDERS and McELLIGOTT'S a.n.a.lYSIS OF ENGLISH WORDS, p. 132, Ex. 174.