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OL. XXXVI.
OLMSTEAD & 00., PUBLISHERS. »-° BOSTON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1863.
For the Companion,
“TANGLE-HAIRED ROBERT.”
The class in grammar had just been dismissed,
-when a very business-like knock was heard at the
school-room door, and little Sammy Lupton, “usher
for the day,” opening it wide for visitors, an-
nounced, “The committee men, ma’am, with
‘Tangle-haired Robert.’ ”
Stating in a few words their present business,
which was of course to introduce the boy, they
added that he had utterly refused to obey his
mother, by reporting himself as a pupil when school
opened, and had several times been found wander-
ing about the Mill premises, always bent upon
mischief, and giving surly replies when addressed.
His father had gone to another State to seek em-
ployment, and the “committee men” had kindly
volunteered to bring the young vagrant to terms.
. .“Tangle-haired Robert” sat sulky and moody,
evidently bent upon something desperate ; weeks
afterwards he told the teacher, he came in intend-
ing to fight his way out, or be carried out. But not
a word escaped his lips. Now and then camea burn-
ing glance from beneath the wealth of disordered
hair, from which the teacher gathered, with a wo-
man’s intuition, that both feeling and talent had a
home in that untutored breast, and that kindness
would be the best touch-stone.
‘The “committee men” shook him roughly, insist-
_ ing upon his speaking, at which his lips grew white,
and his whole frame trembled.
* “Leave him with me, if you please,” said the
teacher, in a quiet tone, passing her hand softly
over the mass of curls; “I think we shall get along
* famously, by-and-by.”
’_.. The gentle pressure of her hand upon his head, | -
~ the unexpected suggestion couched in pleasant
language, and “set to a cheerful tune of voice,” as
a dear old lady used to say, had an indescribable
effect upon that untamed spirit. He had expected
a scolding, and judging from past experience, a
ferule would not have surprised him; he had
‘nerved himself for a contest, and to be met in this
‘way, took all the “fight” out of him, ‘and he
glanced up nervously to know what all this might
bode. Seeing only a friendly face earnestly watch-
ing the play of light and shade upon his counte-
nanve, he grew almost shy, and offering his brown
hand, said slowly, .
«711 mind*you, ma’am.”
Evidently the “committee men” were slow to
‘credit such a sudden conversion, but the teacher,
though young, had had experience, and she knew
that away down in every heart there is a spot ever
responsive to kind tones and words of friendliness,
and was not afraid of the boy; no indeed, even
though he was reported to have struck two teach-
ers, and always guilty of some impertinence.
And the “educational guardians” of the poor lad
departed, warning the lady of the stormy times she
might expect. cece PO 1
.The day passed quietly ; no warlike demonstra-
. tions interrupted the little band. . The new pupil
was left much to himself, having for amusement
some pretty books, and a small collection of simple
“prints. Occasionally the teacher said a few words,
“4s which the boy always replied politely. When a
“ography class was reciting, late in the afternoon,
e Clara G. was missing. - Upon inquiry she rose
ver seat, and said, eS
©" @ather said I needn't never study gogrifly any
~ "95 be says, ma'am, that if I ain't agoin’ to see
‘s4 furrin places its a wastin’ my time to study
so! t’em.” 7.28 .
~« 4, this, before the. teacher could reply, Rober
a excitedly, and speaking before he was aware,
d, “I mean to study it, and travel too, ma’am,”
- nd sat down, covered with blushes, not knowing
~ow it would be taken. ae
~“eThat you shall, my boy,” replied the teacher.
“After school you and I will talk it over, and 80
: hey did, on their way home, Robert walking beside
\ aer, carrying her books. Much pleasant chat they
‘ bad all through those golden summer days, as they
went up the elm-shaded road, ze over the “Mill-
dam bridge,” for the new frien? felt grieved if this
- trifling pleasuré was ever declfned. ;
There was much friendly conversation upon birds
‘and flowers, and the boy who had been allowed to
itob the nests of the graceful, wee things, now
learned that God loved birds and flowers, and that
\..
serena nee
parcil
+
for beauty with the sweet and simple “lilies of the
field.” :
All this and much more was spoken of. From
having been accustomed to take his Maker’s name
without using improper language; but his kind
friend read to him from the 5th chapter of Matthew,
the 34th, 35th and 36th verses, and taught him the
of truth and. beauty, and the rapidly maturing
“good fruit” made her heart full of gladness.
thanked him kindly for bringing her books,
smilingly added, “Be early to-morrow morning; I
ever afterward there was a decided improvement
in the boy’s personal appearance. No fear of
“tangles” any longer. . The plain and coarse dress
was hereafter scrupulously whole and clean. The
lady did not say much, she only quietly remarked,
“I see, Robert, you've been busy this morning.
That’s right, cleanliness and order are real duties.
Did you never read in the Bible of them?”
The head of the boy drooped, and he replied, “I
never had a Bible, ma’am; none of our folks but
father and me can read, and that not very well.”
Poor, neglected child, thought the teacher, and
poor neglected family. Where are all the Chris-
tian people in this town? Are there really “the
heathen in our midst ?” No wonder there has been
surliness and impertinence! Upon examination it
was found that the reading and spelling were hardly
passable. , This was all that had ever been taught
him, and he was more than twelve years old!
Not to discourage him by painful comparisons,
his recitations were heard alone for some weeks.
Between whiles the exercises in drawing went on,
and occasionally lessons in penmanship. It was
surprising to note his rapid improvement both in
deportment and lessons. . eo,
Friends had become interested in the lad, and a
new plain suit, for Sabbath wear, took the place of
the faded and patched garments. To this asa gift
he made decided objections.’ It seemed to hurt his
pride. A proposition was therefore made that he
might, in play-hours, do something in recognition of
this kindness; and. for’ many weeks not a day
passed in which offerings of fruit, flowers or fresh
THE NEW 8ADDLB,
*
not a sparrow falls to the ground unheeded, and | fish were not silently laid at the door of his bene-
that kings, even, in all their glory, cannot compare | factor’s residence.
The hall where school commenced was only to
be used until the new building was completed. It
was charmingly situated in a sunny, grassy spot,
shaded by graceful elms. There was a most en-
in vain, he found it at first very difficult to speak | chanting play-ground, and wide, gravelled walks
One evening Miss D., the teacher, asked Robert to
go with her and see it. The “committee” had
granted some suggestions of hers with regard to
commandments, explaining them as they went along. | flower-beds, and now Robert's “spot” was assigned
She was daily surprised to find such rich soil in| him, and in imagination every corner was soon dis-
this neglected heart, where she could plant seeds | posed of.
“Moving day” was an exciting and memorable
occasion to all the pupils; to our hero most of all.
On parting at the gate the first evening after|He had gained so rapidly the respect both of
Robert’s introduction’ to the new teacher, she | teacher and pupils, that to indicate their apprecia-
and | tion,
and test his sincerity, the charge of opening
and closing the building, morning and evening, and
am always punctual; and don’t forget to have those | carrying the key to Miss D., was entrusted to him,
curls in order, and everything trim and tidy,” and| and very proud he looked when this honor and re-
sponsibility was publicly awarded. ‘ True, the “com-
mittee men” made wry: faces over it.* They re-
membered him only as “Tangle-haired Robert,”
the rogue, the swearer, and almost. an outlaw, but
the teacher knew what was best. © is
Three months had now slipped by, and in that
time, by untiring industry, the lad had learned to
read and spell nicely, was “comfortably along,” he
said, in the simple rules of arithmetic, and through
Parley’s small geography. : Neither was’ his. pen-
manship in the back-ground; but of that one could
speak less confidently than of his success in copy-
ing simple prints. .
But more and better than all, our young friend
had learned to love and reverence the Bible. ! No
longer a wanderer upon God’s holy day, he now
was a regular attendant at the Sabbath school} ~
His verse was never forgotten, and the “mission
penny” was regularly earned, and was deposited
every Sabbath, for children “more neglected than
himself.”.. The dreadful habit of swearing he had
wholly overcome ; also, a very pernicious custom he
had for some years indulged in, of smoking and
occasionally chewing. A greater change was never
seen in any boy, and in his new truthfulness and
cheerful industry, both of work and study, his face
grew very beautiful,—singularly so, his teachers
thought. rod
Six months’ regular attendance at school im-
proved him still more. It is true, he was some
times tempted to do wrong, and more than once
was led astray by his naturally hasty temper. But
22 SCHOOL STREET, BOSTON.
kind teachers, he had learned where “strength to
endure” can be found, and he never “went empty
away.” .
Sometimes, too, bad boys,fhis old companions in
sin, jeered at him, or would try to coax him to their
old haunts. At such times he often called upon
his teachers for advice, and they were always pa-
tient with these real trials, and by sympathy and
kind words helped him on in the good way.
“Examination day” had now arrived; every little
heart was beating with wild excitement as the
honor. The opening hymn had been sung, and as
class after class came up, the interest grew. Pre-
sently one of the honorable visitors,—he who had
made only one call upon the bright-eyed flock,
and that long ago, when the old hall was used,—
asked in a whisper the name of the handsome, in-
telligent locking lad who sat opposite. He did
“not remember ever haying seen him,” he said.
amusement, as she answered mischigvously,
“Only ‘Tangle-haired Robert,’ sir, whom you so
kindly brought in.”
A dignified twist of the eyebrows, a magisterial
cough, and the surprised chairman desired that the
exercises might proceed, and proceed they did, his
eye fixed upon the renovated boy, who always an-
swered promptly and modestly when his turn came
round, Never such a word as fail for him! - Occa-
sionally a nod of friendly understanding passed be-
tween him and Miss D., but a manly, self-possessed
air pervaded every action,
recitations for the last three months had been care-
fully looked over, one pupil alone of all that school
stood even. Several came nearly up to the mark,
but the medal was unhesitatingly awarded to Rob-
ert M. “And who is he, Miss,” was asked by the
secretary. .- :
“Only ‘Tangle-haired Robert,” was the whis-
pered reply. And when the well remembered
chairman rose to present it, there was, the teacher
thought, a'tear in the corner of his gray eye, ac-
companying the tremulous tones of his voice, as
he called forward the blushing boy, who rose
gracefully to accept this distinguishing mark of ap-
proval. >
A few minutes later he said to Miss D.,
“What power did you bring to bear upon that
rebellious spirit? Upon my honor, I felt troubled
for many weeks that I left him as I did that day.”
“O, I only knocked at his heart, sir, and finding
it all ready for company, went in,” replied the lady.
When the company had left; and a half hour
was given to farewells, and the exchange of trifling
keepsakes, Miss D. remarked to the school, that
the pupils must decide who, for the last quarter, had
improved the most in order, in the quiet observance
of every duty, in courteousness to fellow-pupils.
She would give them five minutes to decide. «It
was not a sudden suggestion, they had been ad-
vised of her intention when the quarter commenced,
and eyes and ears had been on the alert. . She her-
self hardly knew how the scale would turn; when
the Jittle slips came in, nine-tenths had’ written
upon them, “Robert M.” e: nl
Reader this is no fancy sketch, but a truthful
story written by a New England teacher of one of
her early pupils; and three years after the occur-
rences above related, Robert was heard of as hold-
ing avery fair situation in a large manufacturing
establishment, not’a hundred miles from Boston,
beloved and respected by all who knew him. :
. , : F. P.C,
oe
““- " - succESSFUL MEN.
The late John Jacob Astor, as he left his native
Germany, passed beneath a linden tree, not far
from the line that separated his native land from
another, and made the following resolutions, which,
he intended should govern him through life: *
“1, He would be honest. .
.2. Ile would be industrious,
3, He would never gamble, . ” : .
> He was on foot ; his wealth was in a small bun~
dle that swung from a stick that laid on his shoulder.
The world was before him,” H¢ was able to carry
out his resolutions, His success is the best com=
ment on his endurance.’ ° ae an
~ Stephen Girard, at the ‘age of forty years, was in
through the sympathy and watchfulness of his two
— 1
ements
quite moderate circumstances, being the captain of
ne Juewweromen
ae
“committee men” were duly installed in seats of |
The teacher's eyes were brimming over with
When, by the “committee,” the record of perfect ~
—=-
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