The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-09-14

w Hio pench' ne Ielt very strangely, dizZtly-
more as IT nc was in "a dream than in real ife and
laying his arms on his desk, bowed down his face
between them. The pupils turned to their accus
toned studies, for during the reign of Lugare in the
village school, they had been used to ofvio
lence and severe chastisement, that such things
made but little interruption in the tenor of their
way.
Now, while the intervening hour is passing, we
will clear up the mystery of the bag, and of young
Baker being under the garden fence the proceed
ing night. The boys mother was a widow, and
they both had to live in the very narrowest limits.
His father had died when he was six years old and
little Tim was left sickly emacated infant whom
no one expected to live ma ny months. To the
surprise ofaIl, however the poor child kept alive,
and seemed to recover its health, he certainly
did his size and good looks.E This was owing to
the kind Offices OF an eminent physician who had
country seat in the neighborhood, and who
had been interested in tho widow 8 little family
| Tim, the physician said might outgrow his dis
ease; but eryhing was uncertain. II was a mys.
terious and battling malady; and it would not be
wonderful if he should in moment Of appa-
rent health pass suddenly away. The boy was at
first in continual state of uneasiness; but several
years had now passed, and none of the impending
seemed TO feel confident that he would live, and be
a help and honor to her old age and the two slrug
gIed on together, mutually happy in each other,
and enduring much of poverty and discomfort with
1 out repining, each for the others sake.
Tins pleasant disposition had made him many
friends in the village, and among the rest a young
farmer by the name of Jones, who with his elder
bl other, worked large farm in the neighborhood
Dn Ia
ent of bag OF potatoes o, corn, or some garden
vegetables, which he took from his own stock but
as his partner was pars;monious, high tempered
man, and had often said that tim was an idle fel-
low, and ought not to be helped because he did
not work, Jones generally made him gifts in such
a manner that no one knew anything about them
except himself and the generous objects of his
kindness 1t might be, too, that the widow was
loath to have it understood by the nelghbors that
she received food from any one; for there is often
an excusable pride in people of her condition
which makes them shrink from being considered
objects OF charity as they would from the sever
est pains. On the night in question, Tim had
been told that Jones would send them bag of po.
taoes, and the place at which they were TO be
waiting for him fixed at Mr. Nichols garden
fence 1t was this bag that Tim had been seen
staggering under, and which caused an unlucixy
boy TO be accused and convicted as a thief. That
teacher was one little fitted for his important and
responsible offce.-Hasty to decide and iniexibly
severe, he the terror Of the little world he ru-
ed SO despoticaly Punishment he seemed TO dc.
light in. Knowing little of those sweet fountains
which in ohild'en's breasts even open quickly at
the call of gentleness and kind words, be was
feared by all for his sternness and loved by none
| would that he were isolated instance in his
profession.
| The hour of grace had drawn to its close and
the time approached at which il was usual for Luz
gare to give to his school joyfuly received dismis
sion. Now and then of tho scholars would di
rect furhve glance at Tim, somtimes in pity,
sometimes in indifference or inquiry. They know
that he would have no mercy shown him, and
though most of them loved him, whipping too
common there to exact much sympathy. Every
| inquiring glance remained unsatsfied for at the
end of the hour, Tim remained with his face com
| petely hidden, and is head bowed in his arms
precisely as he had leaned himself when he first
went to his seat Lugare looked at the boy occa-
sionally with a scowl, which seemed to bode ven
geance for his sullenness. AT length the last class
had been heard, and the last lesson rected, and Lu
care seated hmselfbehin his desk on the plat
form. with his longest and stoutest rattan before
! him.
+ "Now, Baker, he said swel settle that little
business ofyours Just step up here
| Tim did not move. The school room was as
still as the grave. Not sound was to be heard
except occasionally long drawn breath.
mind me sir, or it will be the worse for you.
Step up here and take off your Jacket
The boy did not stir any more than if he had
been of wood. Lugare shook with passion. He
sat sill minute, ifconsidering the best way to
wreak his vengeance. That minute passed in
death)ike silence, 1t fearful one some OF
the children, for their faces whitened with fright.
1t seemed, as it slowly dropped away, like the min
ute which precedes thecllmaxofan exquisiteIy per
formed tragedy, when some mighty master Of tine
hstrionic art is treading the STAGE and you and the
mu titude around you are waiting, with stretched
nerves and suspended BREATH in expectation of the
terrible catastrophe
Tim is asleep, SIR at length, said one of the
bows who sat near him.