Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1841-08-19
DEATH IN THE sCHooL.RooM.

% ~ OoSesS "GUN VIC ullIe
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 we'll understood that
this was command for silence and atten-
ton; aud when these had been Obtained.
the master spoke. lie was low thick SET
man, aud his name was LUGARE.
Boys said he, Il have had COM
plant entered, that last night some Of Won
we're stealing fruit from Mr.. Nichols gar
den. rather think know the thief
Tim Barker, step up here, SIR
The one to whom he spoke, came for
ward. He was slight, fair Hooking boy
Of about l4-and his face had laughing,
good-humored expression, which even The
charge now preferred against him, and the
stern tone and threatening lock Of the
teacher had not entirely dissipa,ed. The
coun'enance of the boy, however, was too
unearthly fair for health; it had, no,with-
standing its fleshy, cheerful look, singu-
lar cast as il some inward disease, and that
fearful one, was seated within. Az the
STRIPPING stood before that place of iudg-
ment-that place SO often made the scene
OF heartIess and coarse brutality, Of timid
innocence confused, helpless childhood
outraged, aud gentle feelings crushed
Lugare looked on him with trown, which
plainly told that he felt in no very pleasant
mood. Happily, a worthier aud more phi
los"phical system is proving to men that
| schools can be better governed than by
lasheS, tears and sig hs. We are waxing
towards that contamination when one of
the "d-fashioned ool-n.as,ers, with his
cowhide, his heavy birch rod, and his many
ingenious methods of child-torture, will be
gazed upon as scorned memento Of an
ignorant, cruel, and exploded doctrine.
Were, you by Mr.. Nichols garden
fence last nigM2 2 said Lugare.
Yes, answered the boy, Il was.'
well, sir, I'm glad to find you so ready
with your confession. And SO you thought
you could do IA little robbi"g. and enjoy
y"urselfin manner you ought 10 be asham-
ed t" own, without being punished, did
your
i have not been robbing,' replied the
boy quickly. His face was suf1nsed, wle-
ther with resentment or fright, il was diff
cult Ia tell. And i didn't do any thing
last night that I'm ashamed to own.'
No impudence!' exclaimed the teacher,
passionateIy, as he grasped a long and
heavy rattan: give me none ofyour sharp
speeches, or III thrash You till you beg
like a dog
The youngsters face paled a little; his
lip quivercd, but he did not speak.
And pray. sir continued, > ugarc, as
| tho rA .,f .,..unI al
from his features, what were you about The
garden for Perhaps you on y received the
plumber, and had an accomplish to do the
more dangerous part Of the job?'
went that way because it is on my
road home. / was there again afterward
to meet an acquaintance-and-a
| did not go into the garden, nor take any
thing away fiom it. wonld not steal
hardly to save myself from starving
You had better have stuck I" that last
evening. You were seen, Tim Barker, to
come from under MIR. Nichols garden
fence, a little after nine o'clock, with bag
full Of something or other, over your Shout
ders. 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 bag1'
Like fire itself glowed the face Of the
detected lad. lie spoke not word. All
the school had their eyes directed TO him.
The perspira.ion ran down his white fore
head like rain-drops.
Speak, sir y exclaimed Lugare, with IL
loud strike Of his rattan On the desk.
M, L.. "a L. ~
faint. But the unmerciiul teacher, conf
dent of having brought TO ligh, criminal,
and eAul,ing in the idea of the severe chas-
tisemen, lie should now be justified in in
flicting, kept working himself up to still
greater and greater degree of passion. Il,
the meantime, the child seemed hardly Ia
know what 10 do with himself. His tongue
cleaved to the roof Of his mouth. Either
he was very much frightened, or he was
actually unwcll.
Speak, | say!' again Numbered Lu-
care and his hand, grasping his rattan,
lowered above his head in very signi6-
cant manner.
Il hardly can, SIR said the poor fellow
family. His voice was husky and thick.
| will tell you some-sOme other time.-
Please TO let me go TO my scat amt
WELL
'Oh yes; that's very likely ; and Mr..
Lugsre, bulged out his nose and cheeks
with contempt. DO you think to make
me believe your lies1 I've found you out,
sir, plainly enough; and ] am satisfied that
you are as precious little villain as there
is in the State. But will postpone set.