The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-12-09
5cleftc0.
TIE TRUANT TEACHER.

nave brought my boy, SIR, SAID
the father of bright eyed and roguisll
looking fellow, and hope you will pun
ish him soundly for playing truant, so
that he will never dare do it again and
l have given him fair warning that when
he comes home after being whipped at
school, shall whip him again"
Il shall see to him, SIR" said the
teacher, and | think We shall have no
more trouble with him"
AS soon as the father was gone, the
master ordered the boy to take off his
waist-coat and then began to beat him
severely, as if staying away from a school
dislikcd, was crime. The little fellow,
he was small, though ten years old, had
braced himself up to bear the punish
ment, and severe as it was, not a cry or
a tear escaped him for long time.
. L will never play truant again, sir )"
said he at last, very cody, +" if you will
not strike me any more"
"You don't like it then" said the
master, and he laid the blows on with a
heavier hand. &" Recollect that your
father has promised to follow this whip
ping with second part of the same
tune. You are sorry you played truant
by this time, | guess"
:" No, sir, l am not sorry," said the
boy in a resolute tone, while he looked
pale as death "Had you took me at
my word, | would have kept it, but now
| will make no promises, aud no confes-
sion ii you kill me-"
There was something in the manner
of the boy Which alarmed the master
and he withheld bis hand.
Z" Will you now promise me never to
play truant again 7"
=" No, sir, never" said the boy.
The other pupils, both girls and boys,
evidently sympathizcd with the truant,
and begged the master to let 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 school was out, the wary teach
,r selected two of his largest boys to see
hat the truant went directly home to
-eceive what awaited him there.
Bill, said the truant to the largest
# bis guards. 81 am not going home
o be whipped again"
What are you going to do I" said
he boy whom Robert addressed.
81 don't know, but l am determined
lot to 60 home"
I" l can't say blame you" said Bill.
81 would not go if were you" said
he other guard, /" but we shall get it IL
We let you escape"
"There there goes my hat" said
Robert, who, seizing the opportunity as
hey We're crossing a bridge, knocked it
nto the stream.
The two guards, supposed that it was
blown off by the wind, both ran to recov-
,r it, and Robert running in the opposite
direction was soon far beyond the;-
reach. He made for the nearest rail-
road station, and silly entered cattle
EAR that was conveying sheep, he was
carried many miles, and when he re-
eased himself was not noticed by the
conductor of the train.
lie Immediately went up to the vii
age to try to get some food, not having
eaten a mouthful since the day before,
when he went supperless to bed On
bis way there, he saw some apples in
the window of little shop kept by a
cripple, who made some shoes, and re-
sailed fruit and confectionery to the
children of the village, with whom he
was a great favorite. The window was
raised just enough to admit his hand,
and under the impulse of hunger, he
gently thrust it in and seized one of the
apples. At the sme moment, strong
,r hand seized his, and there he stood
caught in the very act.
The cripple, who had been sitting at
y ork near the window, rose, and seeing
, strange boy without hat, he supposed
It once there must be something unu-
'ual In the case, and in a mild voice he
.sked, 4" What are you going to do with
hat apple, little .fellowi''
The tone of voice revived Robert,
Who was exceedingly frightened at his
situation, and he said, :" am dying with
,unger, sir, and have no money. was
empted to take one of your apples, but
| am sorry did So" .a
" You may have as many as you
vant," said the cripple, but come
'ound to the door and let me know more
bout you"