But this pleasant state of things was destined
to continue but a short time, a dark cloud was even then hovering over
me, which was soon to burst in terror over my head. Before the winter
was over many of the boys at school began among themselves to accuse our
teacher of an unjust partiality toward me, whether with or without cause
I am unable to say. Mr. Oswald was a very estimable man, but he had very
strong feelings, and was inclined to form his opinion of one at first
sight; if that opinion chanced to be favourable, you were all right; if
the reverse, he sometimes failed to give one credit for whatever of good
there might be in them. I charge it to no superior merit in myself, but
I believe from the very first I was a favourite with our teacher. I
studied hard, and endeavoured to give no trouble by misconduct, though
I doubtless had my faults as well as others. It may be that Mr. Oswald
sometimes allowed his feelings to exhibit themselves more than was
exactly wise. I have often heard him say that strong likes and equally
strong dislikes were natural defects in his own character, against which
he was obliged to exercise a continual watchfulness.
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