The Power of One Good Boy.
"WHEN I took the school," said a gentleman, speaking of a certain school he once taught, "I soon saw there was one good boy in it. I saw it in his face. I saw it by many unmistakable marks. If I stepped out and came suddenly back, that boy was always studying just as if I had been there, while a general buzz, and the roguish looks of the rest showed there was mischief in the wind. I learned he was a religious boy and a member of the church. Come what would, he would be for the right." "There were two other boys who wanted to behave well, but were sometimes led astray; these two began to look up to Alfred, and, I saw were much strengthened by his example. Alfred was as lovely in disposition as firm in principle. These three boys began now to create a sort of public opinion on the side of good order and the master. One boy and then another gradually sided with them. The foolish pranks of idle and wicked boys began to lose their popularity. They did not win the laugh which they used to. A general obedience and attention to study prevailed. At last the public opinion of the school was fairly revolutionized; from being a school of ill-name, it became one of the best-behaved schools anywhere about, and it was that boy Alfred who had the largest share in making the change. Only four or five boys held out, and these were finally expelled. Yes," said the teacher, "it is in the power of one right-minded, right-hearted boy to do that. He stuck to his principles like a man, and they stuck to him, and made a strong and splendid fellow of him."