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Article SKETCHES OF CHARACTER. ← Page 4 of 15 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketches Of Character.
horses , and horses go in the muck ; I ' 11 play as long as I like , and if you try to take me home I ' 11 kick you—you see if I do ' cm ' t . " The speaker was a sturdy boy of six years , whose little frame was well knit , and whose mottled skin betokened the full enjoyment of earth ' s greatest blessing . In short , he
was a good specimen of a thorough-bred , free-born Briton ; and this juvenile exhibited a full-grown John Bull's propensity to assert the right of free will , both in thought and action . This prerogative he practically demonstrated , by manfully resisting his mother ' s efforts to drag him out of the muddy gutter , in which he was splashing and luxuriating with the delight of a young pig or duck . His mother had almost succeeded in bearing him off in triumph , when the
lad gave her a violent kick , which caused her to let go his hand , and off he ran at full speed to the gutter to recommence his pastime . I had been a tranquil spectator of this scene ; and when the woman turned limping away from her son without reprimand , saying , " Oh , Billy , you 've hurt me very bad , where you kicked me ' afoore ;'" I thought it
was time to interfere , as I knew that both she and her husband were honest industrious folks , so I addressed her , saying , " Mrs . Giles , indeed you are very wrong to allow your child to set your authority thus at defiance—wh y do you not compel him to go home with you ? " " I can't , Sir , make him come against his will , and he is too strong for me to cany him home—he is quite my master now . "
" But why do you let him master you ? tell his father of this conduct , surely he could manage him , and I am sure , that a few good canings would soon cure his fancy for wallowing in the mire , practising disobedience , and kicking his mother : why don ' t you send him to school ? I have told your husband several times , that I would get him into the
National School , where he would be both clothed and taught his duty to his God , parents , and neighbours . " " Thank you kindly , Sir , my master told me what you were kind enough to say , but—but , Sir , Billy don't take to book learning , and as he is our only one , we don ' t like to contrary himand we think that if we sent him to school he
, might be punished and flogged . " " Which he certainly would be , if he merited either ; but indeed , I think , that you are much to blame , in allowing that big boy to run wild as you are doing , and as I have a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketches Of Character.
horses , and horses go in the muck ; I ' 11 play as long as I like , and if you try to take me home I ' 11 kick you—you see if I do ' cm ' t . " The speaker was a sturdy boy of six years , whose little frame was well knit , and whose mottled skin betokened the full enjoyment of earth ' s greatest blessing . In short , he
was a good specimen of a thorough-bred , free-born Briton ; and this juvenile exhibited a full-grown John Bull's propensity to assert the right of free will , both in thought and action . This prerogative he practically demonstrated , by manfully resisting his mother ' s efforts to drag him out of the muddy gutter , in which he was splashing and luxuriating with the delight of a young pig or duck . His mother had almost succeeded in bearing him off in triumph , when the
lad gave her a violent kick , which caused her to let go his hand , and off he ran at full speed to the gutter to recommence his pastime . I had been a tranquil spectator of this scene ; and when the woman turned limping away from her son without reprimand , saying , " Oh , Billy , you 've hurt me very bad , where you kicked me ' afoore ;'" I thought it
was time to interfere , as I knew that both she and her husband were honest industrious folks , so I addressed her , saying , " Mrs . Giles , indeed you are very wrong to allow your child to set your authority thus at defiance—wh y do you not compel him to go home with you ? " " I can't , Sir , make him come against his will , and he is too strong for me to cany him home—he is quite my master now . "
" But why do you let him master you ? tell his father of this conduct , surely he could manage him , and I am sure , that a few good canings would soon cure his fancy for wallowing in the mire , practising disobedience , and kicking his mother : why don ' t you send him to school ? I have told your husband several times , that I would get him into the
National School , where he would be both clothed and taught his duty to his God , parents , and neighbours . " " Thank you kindly , Sir , my master told me what you were kind enough to say , but—but , Sir , Billy don't take to book learning , and as he is our only one , we don ' t like to contrary himand we think that if we sent him to school he
, might be punished and flogged . " " Which he certainly would be , if he merited either ; but indeed , I think , that you are much to blame , in allowing that big boy to run wild as you are doing , and as I have a