Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-08-02
THE MASK AND THE TRUTH.

THE MASK AND THE TRUTH.
James was brave boy, who possessed
that true courage which enabled HIM to
bear the sncers and ridicude of his compan.
ions rather than do wrong. He was af-
fectionate and obliging, so that he was be-
loved by his fellows, and always had their
good Will, except when his regard for truth
brought them into difficulty. ,
One afternoon, in school, he Obtained
leave TO speak about his lesson, and went
to his friend Henry. AS he seated him.
self at Henry's desk, ne was much amused.
and almost laughed aloud, for he found
linn at work on half of a cocoa nut shell.
cutting out eyes, nose and mouth, and with
ink representing hair, eyebrows, and huge
whiskers, making on the whole most lu-
dicrous figure. After some conversation
about that and his lesson, nc returned to
his seat.
AT night the boys were playing round
their school house and III the midst OF
their sport Henry produced tins image,
which brought forth shout of laughter
from all, and much praise of his ingenuity
and skill.
Within an hour the boys dispersed, and
lanes. Henry, and two others walked to-
pether for some distance, till they came to
lane where james left them. As he
turned round the corner, he heard one Of
them say, in a loud tone "Oh, Henry, I'll
tell You of what We will do with this,-''is
an excellent plan; tomorrow morning
This was all that James heard, and as
lewalked on, he wondered what the plan
could be. :,
The next morning, Oil his way 10 school,
he was thinking of the same thing; and as
he turned the corner of the lane, which
brought the school house 10 view, he saw
one of the boys put his head from the door
and look towards him; he immediately
went in again; but soon another cainc'
and another, as though they were anxious.
N-expecting some one. James suspected
they were engaged in some frolc, and
when within five rods of the house, a boys
head again appeared at the door, and was
instantly withdrawn, with the exclamation,
"He is coming, he is coming" which re-
pcated by dozen voices in the room, and
Immediately followed by a noisy scanper-
inc, jumping from desks, overturnlnS Of
benches, and the rushing of twenty boys,
from the door, who disappeared behind the
school house. James looked round and
saw the master coming. He then ran
hastily after the boys, and as he approach.
ed them he heard one say, "Now, don't
let any of us tell who did it: don't say a
word about it.
aTen. no, indeed" said an older boy.
"who do you think would be such a fool US
to tell"
"What is the fun now?" said James;
but every one was so much engaged that
he took no notice of him; and the only
answer he could get was, "fou will see
soon."
The boys went tardily into school; some
in grave and sober manner, others vainly
irving to conceal their glee,while the more
innocent wore an open, laughing counte-
nance. AS James was looking round the
room to learn the cause of this, his eyes
Cell upon the stove pipe, where he saw
Henry's ludicrous image grinning at the
whole school. The master noticed the dis
turbance, saw the cause Of it, and placed it
in his desk. He appeared displeased,
but said nothing about it till night, when ne
stopped the school.
"Boys" said he IL wish to know some.
thing about this mask, which produced so
much disturbance this morning. Whoever
hung it up did wrong, and he knew that it
was wrong. His object was to draw your
attention from your studies, and thus to
promote disorder; and he deserves to be
punished. Now the course shall pursue
, is this: if I can learn who did it, shall
punish him severely, for he deserves it he
Undoubtedly did this for the sake of making
,i;ssurbance, and interrupting the regular
h,,sinSss of the school. And this thing
OUGHT NOT to pass by unnoticed; some one
is much to- blame-I like to see you happy,
and enjoying Your sports, but not when it
is time for study. l wish the boy who did
it would rise.
He waited motQent, but no one rose.
He then said, 81 shall pow question you all
individually in regard toit; but fear that
same of you will lie about IT. am afraid
that some of YOU, q do not think that all
Willy but am afraid that some Of you will
say that YOU know nothing about it, when
YOU do; that you did not do ityourself,
when Won did. Now wish you to consid-
or beforehand, what it is to lie; remember
that God has forbidden it, and that he is
present and will know all you say"
He then began q, one Of the desks with
with a large boy: "John, you may rise. y
1Io rosa