The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-07

Now, while the intervening hour - passing,
1 we will clear up the mystery of the bag, ana OF
young Baker being under the garden-ience on
the preceding night The boys mother was
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 SICK
ly emacated infant whom no one expected 70
live many months. To the surprise oil ALL now
ever, the poor child kept alive, and seemed 70
recover his health, as he certainly ala ms sHs
and good looks. This was owing TO the KIM
Offices of an eminent physician who had coun-
Try seat in the neighborhood, and who had been
interested in the widows little family Inn,
the physician said, might possibly outgrow ms
disease but every thing was uncertain. Twas
a mysterious and battling malady; and II wouiu
not be wonderful if he should in some moment
OF apparent health be suddenly taken away
The poor widow was al first III continual staie
OF uneasiness; but several years had now
passed and none OF the impending evis hau
fallen upon the boys head His mother seemed
TO feel confident that he would live, and be
help and an honor 10 her old age; and the two
struggled on together, mutually happy IN each
other, and enduring much OF poverty ana ais
comfort without repning, each Tor the olhefs
sake.
Tins pleasant disposition had made HIM
many friends in the village, and among The resi-
young farmer named Jones, who with his old
er brother worked large farm in the neigh
borhood on shares. Jones very frequently made
| Tim present Of bag of potatoes or corn, or
some garden vegetables, which he took from
his own stock but as his partner was parsl-
monious, high-tempered man, and had often
said that Tim was an idle fellow, and ought not
TO be helped because he did not work, Jones,
generally made his gifts in such manner that
no one knew any thing about them, except him
self and the grateful objects Of his kindness. IL
might be, too, that the widow was loath TO have
it understood by the neighbors that she received
food from any one; for there is often an excusa-
bic pride in people of her condition which makes
them shrink from being considered as objects OF
'.charity" as they would from the severest pains
| On the night in question, Tim had been told
that Jones would send them bag OF potatoes,
and the place at which they were TO be waiting
| for him fixed at Mr.. Nichols's garden-fence.
II was this bag that Tim had been seen stagger-
ing under, and which caused the unlucky boy TO
be accused and convicted by his teacher as
1 thiei. That teacher one httle fitted Tor his
! important and responsible office. Hasty TO de-
eide, and lniiexibly severe, he the terror OF
the little world he ruled so despotically. Pun
shment he seemed to delight in Knowing lit
tie of those sweet fountains which in chlldren's
breasts ever open quickly at the call OF gentle
ness and kind words, he was feared by oil for
his sternness, and loved by none would
that he were an isolated instance IN his pro-
| fession.
| The hour of grace had drawn to its close,
and the time approached at which il was usual
for Lugare to give his school joytully received
dismission. Now and then one of the scholars
would direct a furtive glance at Tim, sometimes
| in pity, sometimes in Indifference or inquiry
They knew he would have no mercy shown
him. and though most of them loved him, whip
ping was TOO common there 10 exact much sym
pathy. Every inquiring glance, however, re-
i ms lad tnr nj thp Of
Tim remained with his face completely hidden,
| and his head bowed in his arms precisely as he
! had leaned himself when he first went TO his
seat Lugare looked at the boy occasionally
with scow which seemed to bode vengeance
for his sullenness. AT length the last class had
| been heard, and the last lesson rected, and Luz
| care seated himself behind his desk on the plat
| form, with his longest and stoutest rattan before
| him.
| snow, Barker" he said, "we'll settle that
little business of yours. 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.
| sMnd me- sir, it will be the worse for
you. Step up here, and take off your jacket"
| The boy did not stir, any more than II he had
been of wood Lugare shook with passion.
He sat still a minute, as if considering the
best way TO wreak his vengeance That minute,
passed in deathike silence fearful one to
some OF the children, for their faces whtened
with fright. 1t seemed, as it slowly dropped
away, like the minute which precedes the eli
max of an exquisitely performed tragedy, when
some mighty master of the histrionc art is tread
ing the stage, and you and the multitude around
you are waiting, with stretched nerves and sus-
pended breath, in expectation OF the terrible ca
tastrophe.
Tim is asleep, sir" at length said Of
the boys who sat near him.
Legare, at this intelligence, allowed his fea-
lures TO relax from their expression Of savage an
ger into smile, but that smile looked more ma
lignant, if possible, than his former scowls. 1t
might be that he felt amused al the horror de-
pced on the faces of those about him, or it
might be that he was gloating in pleasure on the
way in which he intended to wake the poor lit
tie slumberer.
"Asleep, are you, my young gentleman e
said he. Let Us see if we can't find some
thing TO tickle your eyes open. There's moth
| ing like making the best OF a bad case, boys.
Tim, here, is determined not TO be worried in
his mind about little fogging, for the thought
of il can't even keep the little scoundrel awake"
| Lugare smiled again as he made his last OBJ
servation He grasped his rattan firmly, and de-
scended from his seat. With light and stealthy
steps he crossed the room, and stood by the I'M
lucky sleeper. The boy was still as unconscious
| of his impending punishment as ever. de might
be dreaming some golden dream OF youth and
pleasure Perhaps he was far away IN the
4 world of fancy, seeing scenes and feeling de-
i lights which cold reality never can bestoW Luz
care lifted his rattan over his head, and with the
tue and expert aim which he had acquired from
| long practice, brought il down on Tins back
with force and whacklng sound which seemed
sufficient TO awake freezing man in his last
Iethargv. Quick and fast, blow followed blow.
Without waiting to see the effect of the first cut
the brutal wretch piled his instrument OF torture,
first on the one side Of the boys back, and then