The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-07
From ihe Democratic Repiep
DEATH IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM

From lie Democratic Repieto.
DEATH IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM.
TING-A-LING-LTNG LING went the little bell
on the teachers desk of village school one
morning, when the studies of the early part Of
the day were about half completed, 1t was
well understood that this was command for
silence and attention; and when these had been
obtained, the master spoke. He was a low
thck-set man, and his name was LuGARE.
Boys" said he, 81 have had complaint
entered, that last night some of you were steal
ing fruit from Mr.. Nichols's garden. | rather
think ! know the thief. Tim Barker, step up
here, sir"
The one to whom he spoke, came forward
He was slight, fair-looking boy of about IA
and his face had laughing, good -humored ex-
preston, which even the charge now preferred
against him, and the stern tone and threatening
look Of the teacher had not entirely dissipated.
The countenance of the boy, however, was too
unearthy fair for health il had, notwithstand-
ing its fieshy, cheerful look, singular cast as
some inward disease, and that fearful one,
were seated within. As the stripping stood be-
fore that place of judgment,-that place so Of
ten made the scene of heartless and coarse bru-
tality, of timid innocence confused, helpless
-Lugare looked on him with irown which
plainly told that he felt in no very pleasant
mood. Happily worthier and more phlloso-
phical system is proving to men that schools
can be better governed than by lashes and tears
and signs. We are waxing toward that con
summation when one of the old fashioned
school-masters, with his cow-hide, his heavy
birch rod, and his many ingenious methods Of
child-orture, will be gazed upon as scorned
memento of an Ignorant, cruel, and exploded
doctrine.
"Were you by Mr.. Nchols's garden fence
last night 2" said Lugare.
eyes" answered the boy, 81 was"
Well, sir, Pm glad TO find you so ready with
your confession. And so you thought you could
do a little robbing, and enjoy yourself in man
ner you ought to be ashamed TO own, without be-
ing punished, did you ~
81 have not been robbing," replied the boy
quickly. His face was suflused, whether with
resentment or fright, it was difficult to tell
"And didn't do anything last night that Pm
ashamed to own"
"No impudence !" exclaimed the teacher,
passionately, as he grasped a long and heavy
rattan; "give me none of your sharp speeches.,
or I'll thrash you till you beg like dog"
The Youngsters face paled little; his lip
quivered, but he did not speak.
'.And pray, sir,n continued Lugare, as the
outward signs of wrath disappeared from his
features 'what were you about the garden tori
Perhaps you only received the plumber, and had
an accomplice to do the more dangerous part OF
the Job ~
81 went that way because it is on my road
home | was there again afterwards to meet
an acquaintance; and-and- But did not 60
into the garden, nor take anything away from
it. | would not steal hardly to save myself
from starving"
on had better have stuck to that last even
ing. You were seen, Tim Barker, TO come
from under Mr. Nichos's garden-ience, a little al
Ter nine O'clock, with bag full of something or
Other, over your shoulders The bag had every
appearance of being filed with fruit, and this
morning the melon beds are found to have been
completely cleared. Now, sir, what was there
in that bag ~
Like fire itself glowed the face of the detect
ed lad. He spoke not word. All the school
had their eyes directed at him The perspira-
ton ran down his white forehead like rain
drops.
Speak, sir! 7" exclaimed Lugare, with loud
strike of his rattan on the desk.
The boy looked as though he would faint.
But the unmerciful teacher, confident OF having
brought TO light a criminal, and exulting in the
idea of the severe chastisement he should now
be justified in lntlicting, kept working himself
up 10 still greater and greater degree OF pas
sion In the meantime, the child seemed hard
ly to know what TO do with himself. HIS tongue
ccaved to the roof of his mouth. Either he
was very much frighted, or he was actually
unwell.
"Speak | says again Numbered Lugare;
his hand, grasping his rattan, lowered above his
head in very significant manner.
81 hardly can, sir" said the poor fellow faint
". His voice was husky and thick. . will
tell you some-some other time. Please to let
me 90 to my seat ant well.n
'Oh yes; that's very hkely;" and Mu. Lu-
gare bulged out his nose and cheeks with con
tempt. "Do you think to make me believe your
lies I've found you out, sir plainly enough;
and am satisfied that you are as precious hi
tie villain as there is in the State But will
postpone settling with you for an hour yet.
shall then call you up again; and II you don't
tell the whole truth then, will give you some
thing that'll make you remember Mr.. Nicholss
melons for many month to come:-go to your
seat
Glad enough OF the ungracous permission,
and answering not a sound, the child crept
trembling to his bench, He felt very strangely,
dizzily-more rs if he was in a dream than IN
real life and laying his arms on his desk, bowed
down his face between them. The pupils
turned to their accustomed studies, for during
the reign of Lugare in the villoge school, they
had been so used TO scenes Of violence and Sc