Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-09-01
THE TRUANT TEACHER,

4 ~ = -
q have brought my boy, SIR said the
father of brighteyed, rougish.looking
fellow, 'and Ihope you will punish him
soundly for playing truant, SO that he will
never dare to do it again; and | have gwen
him fair warning that when he comes
home after being whipped a. school shall
whip him again.
and lthink We shall have no more trouble
with him.
As soon as The father was gone, the
master ordered the boy 10 take off his waist.
cont, and began TO beat him severely as il
staying away from school no disliked
was a crime. The little fellow, Che was
small, though ten years old,j had evident
ly braced himselfu to bear the punish.
ment, and, severe as it was, not cry nor
a tear escaped him for long time.
81 will never play truant again, sir at
last he said very cody, if you will NOT
strike me any more.'
You don't like it, then?' said The master,
as he Land the blows on with heavier
hand. 'Recollect that your father has
promised TO follow up this whipping with
second part to the same tune. You are
sorry you played the truaa.I guess by this
time.'
No, sir, | am not sorry,' said the boy in
resolute tone, while he looked as pale as
death. Had you taken me my word, |
would hive kept it, but now will mike
no promises and no confessions if you kill
me-
5 There was something in the manner Of
the boy which alarmed The master, and he
withheld his hand.
will you now promise me never TO
play truant ngains'
No, Sir, never, said the boy. --.s-
The other pupils, both boys and girls,
evidently sympathized with the truant,
and several Of them begged the master 10
lat him go. Glad Of an excuse to desist,
he yielded TO their entreaties, and told the
boy to put on his clothes and take his seat.
when the school was over, the weary
teacher selected two Of the largest boys 10
see that the troant went directly home to
receive what awaited him there.
Z "Bifl,' said the truant to the largest Of
his guards, Il am not going home to be
whipped again.
sWhat are you going to do7' said the
boy whom Robert addressed.
4 don't know, but um determined not
10 go home.
i can'tsay | blame vou,' said Bill.
i would not go, if were you,' said the
other guard, but we shall ge. it if We let
you escape
There, there goes my hat!' said Robert,
who, seizng the opportunity, as they were
crossing bridge, threw it into the stream
The two guards, surprising it had blown
off by the wind, both ran to recoverit, and
Robert running in the opposite direction,
was soon beyond their reach. He made
for.the near est railroad station, and slyly
entering baggage car that was convey
ing sheep, he wasacarried many miles, and
when he released himself, was not noticed
by the conductor OF the train
He Immediately went up 10 the village,
to try 10 obtain some food. not having eat
en- mouthful since the day before when
he had been sent to bed supperless. On
his. way, he saw some apples in the win
dow of a little shop kept by q cripple who
made shoes, and retailed fruit and confec-
tionaries to the children ofthe village, with
whom he was great fayorite. The win
dow was just raised enough to ndmit bis
hand, and under the impulse of extreme
hunger, he gently thrust il in and seized
one Of the apples. At the same instant a
stronger hand seized his, and :here he stood,
caught in the very act.
The cripple, who had been setting at
work near the window arose, and seeing a
strange boy without a hat, he supposed at
once there must be something unusual in
The case, and in mild terms, he asked,
sW hat were you going to do with my ap-
pies, little fellow?'
The tone Of voice revived Robert, who
was exceedingly frightened at his situation,
and he said, 4 am dying with hunger, sir,
eany having no money, was tempted to
take one Of your apples, but am sorry
did it,
You may have as many as you want,
said the cripple, 'but come round to the
door, and lei me know more about you.
There is something in the manner OF
true beneyolence which removes all fear,
and Robert did not hesitate to do as he wss
requested.
sWell, who are you, my little barehead,'
said the cripple, and what have you done
with your hat!
Il lost it, snid Robert, 'from q bridge
4 'What is your namea'
Robert, sir, but do not ask me my other
name, for do not wish to be sent home.'
You have run away, then2'
sYes, sir, have played truant, wus cru.
ely punished by the master, and as my fa-
ther had promised 10 punish mo too, when