Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-10-22
NlISCELL A n Y.
DEATH IN THE SCHOOL ROGET
a HACY,

DEATH III THE SCHOOL RoOM.
APACT.
Ting-a-ling-Gng went the bell on the
teachers desk of village school, one
morning, when the studies ofthe earlier part
of the day were about half completed. II
was we'll understood that this was the COM
mand for silence and attention; and when
these had been obtained, the master spoke.
He was a low, thick-set man and his name
was Lugare.
Boys" said he, II have a complaint
entered. Last night some of you were
stealing fruit from Mr., Nichols 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, about four
teen. .S.his face had a laughing good humored
expression, which even the charge now pre-
ferred against him, and the stern tone and
threatening look Of the teacher had not
entirely dissipated. The countenance of the
boy: howsEs. wss lee .nssr..v Ia,r Ior
health; it had, Notwithstanding its feshy,
cheerful look, singular cast, as if some IN
ward disease, and that fearful one, was
seated within. As the STRIPPING stood before
that place ofjudgment, that place SO often
made the scene Of heartless and coarse oru-
talitv, oftimid innocence confused, helpless
childhood outraged and gentle feelings crush
ed. Lugare looked on him with trown
which plainly told that he felt in no very
pleasant mood. Happily worthier and
more philosophical system is proving to men
that schools can be better governed than by
lashes, and tears and sighs. We are fast
waxing towards that conSummaticn when
ore of the old fashioned school masters, with
his cowhide, his heavy birch rod, and his
many ingenious methods Of child torture,
viii be sazed upon as a sacred memento of an
ignorant, cruel and exploded doctrine. May
propitious gales speed that day
''Werc you in Mr. Nichols garden last
night" asked Lugare.
YES sir" answered the boy, Il was"
"Wen, sir, Pm glad to 6nd you so ready
with your confession. And so you thought
Won could do a little robbirg and enjoy
yourself in a manner you ought 10 be asham-
ed to own without being punished, did
you"
Il have not been robbing" replied the
boy quickly. His face was sulluscd, wheth-
er with resentment or fright it was difficult
to tell. "And didn't do any thing last
night that I'm ashamed to own
mo impudence !" exclaimed the teacher
passionatcly. as he grasped a long and heavy
rattan; give me noue Of your sharp speech
es, or III thrash you til you beg like
dor."
The Youngsters face paled a little; his
lip quivered, but he did not speak.
"And pray sir" continued Lugare, as the
outward signs OF warth disappeared from his
features; ''what were you about the gar
den: Perhaps you only received the plum
der, and had an accomplice to do the most
dangerous part Of the job :"
81 weat that way, because it is on my
road home. | was there again alterward,to
meet an acquaintance; and--and- But
did not 90 into the garden, nor take any
thing away from it. would not steal
hardly to save myself from starving"
You had better have stuck to that last
evening. You were seen, Tim Barker, to
come from under Mr.. Nichols garden fence
a little after Q o clock, with bag full ofsome-
thing or other over your shoulders. The bag
had every appearance Of being filed with
fruit, and this morning the melon beds are
found to Lave Gecn completely clearcd.--
Now, sir, what was there in that bag;"
Like fire itself glowed the face Of the de-
tecteG lad. IIe spoke not word. All the
school had their eyes directed at him. The
pcrSpiration ran down his white forehead
like rain drops.
"Speak, Sir" exlaimed Lugare, with
loud strike Of his rattan on the desk.
The boy looked as though he would faint.
But the uamerciful teacher, confident of
having brought to light criminal, and ex-
u!ting in the idea OK the severe chaStisement
he should now be justified in indicting, kept
working himself up to q still greater degree
Of passion. In the II eantime the child seem
ed hardly TO know what to do with himself.
His tongue cIave to the roof Of his mouth.
Either he was very much frightened, or he
was actually unwell
"S7eak, say" again thundered Lusare
and his hand, grasp;Gg bis rattan, lowered
above lis head in very significant man
nCr.
Il hardly can, sir" said the poor fellow
family. His voice was hcsky and thick.
II will tell you some--some other time
Please to let me go to nay seat-I am not
we'll"
8" Oh yes, that's very likely" and Mr..
Lugare bulged out his nose and cheeks with
contempt. do you think to make me be-
leye your Ics3 Nv found youout sir, plain
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