66 Perhaps it is because they like him so much?". "I dare say that is it, madam. They will do any thing for him, though he is perfectly inexorable as to his rules and regulations, and, in some respects, is the strictest man in the house. But he has singular ways of interesting them in their work. Indeed, he seems to be actually interested himself, and goes over a geography lesson with as much zest as if he were the youngest among them, and were getting the lesson with them." "That is singular, indeed; but it shows how light his labour is." "It does, Miss Hotchkin. And all this is in great contrast to my case; for I go into school with the spirit of a turnkey, and come out with a wish not to behold the face of a lad during the interval." “Well, well, Mr. Cole, we all have our weak points and our strong points; and it is very plain that neither you nor I were ever intended to gain eminence as teachers." Mr. Cole reddened, and said, "Excuse me, madam; you do not exactly take my meaning. I would not have you to suppose that I am deficient as a teacher. On the contrary, I have the pleasure of believing that I am as well instructed and as laborious as any man here. But, the truth is, I do my work against my will." "Then, sir, be assured, you do it poorly," said Miss Hotchkin, with a shrill laugh, for she loved to say things which sting. "Yes, you do it poorly. So should I, but I take good care to shun every thing like school-teaching, and so should you. Good morning, Mr. Cole." And here she tripped away, to walk five miles before dinner, and to gain spirits for a party in the evening. Mr. Cole, though somewhat mortified at the turn the conversation had taken, was led to some new reflections. Especially was he drawn to consider the secret of his past troubles as a teacher. These reflections were much seconded by a remarkable coincidence. It was the day for him to correct the English compositions of the boys. Among these was a little one by Carl Adler. Here it is, in its corrected form; for it had numerous violations of idiom. Carl's Composition. He Methought I was admitted one evening to a room full of boys and girls, who had their books before them. The teacher seemed to be a capable and worthy person, but still the children did not advance. Some were careless, some were stupid, and some were cross. The teacher was concerned, and even vexed. went first to one, and then to another. vised, he threatened, he even chastised them. Still there was little progress, and the poor teacher went to bed quite disheartened; but before he fell asleep, he offered a prayer that he might know what it was that he needed. He ad The next morning, I looked into the same room, and saw the same teacher, and the same little boys and girls, getting the same lessons. But what a change! All were on the alert; all were diligent; all were delighted. The 晤 room. frowns and the rod were both laid aside. Joy It was only one instance, out of many, in which scholars instruct their teachers, without knowing it. The lesson was not altogether lost on Mr. Cole, though he never carried it fully into practice. 晒 CHAPTER IV. LESSONS OUT-OF-DOORS. A LARGE garden affords some of the best amusements and safeguards, of either family or school. Not only does it keep the young folks out of mischief, but it benefits their health and teaches them many useful lessons. The garden at the Oaks had been originally laid out for a gentleman's estate. The great greenhouse still remained; the grape-vines were ancient and knotty, and clambering over the largest trees. The box-borders were several feet high, and made fine hiding-places for the boys. A trumpet-creeper had hung its green mantle over the whole side of a building which lay on one boundary of the garden. In the middle stood a stubborn-looking holly, beset by its prickly palisade, with every leaf separately armed; a noble tree, both for beauty and for associations. R |