Mm OJatnell Iniusrattg CtbtatH Jfttjata, Slew $at;tt BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF HENRY W. SAGE 1891 Cornell University Library PS 3119.V7T4 The teacher's dream / 3 1924 022 207 355 Cornell University Library The original of this bool< is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924022207355 THE TEACHER'S Dream W. H. VENABLE ILLUSTRATED NEW YORK G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 182 Fifth Avenue 1881 TO MY TEACHERS AND PUPILS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. DESIGNED BY H. F. FARNY. The Sower Engraved by Speer 7 Coming Home from School . The Teaqher Barren Field The Senator Boy Declaiming ' The Preacher Boy at BLACKBOiJ.RD Author Idlest Boy Mother Careless Child' School-House Walking Home Wheat Field ' ' Speer 9 ' ' Heinemann 11 " Speer. 13 " Smithwick Is^ French. 15 " Heinemann 17 " Smithivick Ss' French. 19 " Smitkimck ii' French . 21 " Speer. 23 " Harley 25 " Heinemann 27 ' ' Harley 29 ' ' Speer. 31 ' ' Harley 33 " Harley 35 THE TEACHER'S DREAM. The weary teacher sat alone While twilight gathered on ; And not a sound was heard around, The boys and girls were "gone. The weary teacher sat alone, Unnerved and pale was he ; Bowed 'neath a yoke of care, he spoke In sad soliloquy : mw Will Miiiiri I [I ririLHPnw ' Wiimi'^Mi^j ,.^jij.j ji Mism iii«ij(^ii'iiiiiiii rt » « I KP^E^ i THE TEACHER'S DREAM. " Another round, another round Of labor thrown away, — Another chain of toil and pain Dragged through a tedious day. " Of no avail is constant zeal, Love's sacrifice is loss. The hopes of morn, so golden, turn Each evening, into dross. ■■'V .V^jSftfi- mWrn/ixs^ , THE TEACHER'S DREAM. " I squander on a barren field, My strength, my life, my all ; The seeds I sow will never grow. They perish where they fall." He sighed, and low upon his hands His aching brow he prest ; And o'er his frame erelong there came A soothing sense of rest. THE TEACHER' S DREAM. And then he lifted up his face, But started back aghast, — The room by strange and sudden change Assumed proportions vast. It seemed a Senate hall, and one Addressed a listening throng ; Each burning word all bosoms stirred, Applause rose loud and long. i6 THE TEACHER'S DREAM. The wildered teacher thought he knew The speaker's voice and look, " And for his name," said he, " the same Is in mv record book." 1 8 THE lEACHER'S DREAM. The stately Senate hall dissolved, A church rose in its place, Wherein there stood a man of God, Dispensing words of grace; rUE TEACHER'S DREAM. And though he spoke in solemn tone, And though his hair was gray, The teacher's thought was strangely wrought, " I whipped that boy to-day." THE TEACHER'S DREAM. The church, a phantasm, vanished soon ; What saw the teacher then ? In classic gloom of alcoved room An author plied his pen. THE TEACHER'S DREAM. " M)' idlest lad ! " the teacher said, Filled with a new surprise — " Shall I behold /it's name enrolled Among the great and wise ? " 26 THE TEACHER'S DREAM. The vision of a cottage home The teacher now descried ; A mother's face illumed the place Her influence sanctified. 28 THE TEACHER' S DREAM. " A miracle ! a miracle ! This matron, well I know, Was but a wild and careless child Not half an hour ago. " And when she to her children speaks Of duty's golden rule, Her lips repeat, in accents sweet. My words to her at school." [MS 30 THE TEACHER'S DREAM. The scene was changed again, and lo, The school-house rude and old, Upon the wall did darkness fall, The evening air was cold. THE TEACUEK'S DREAM. " A dream ! " the sleeper, waking, said, Then paced along the floor, And, whistling slow and soft and low. He locked the school-house door. 34 THE TEACHER'S DREAM. And, walking home, his heart was full Of peace and trust and love and praise; And singing slow and soft and low, He murmured, " After many days."