Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-06-19
I" Who is your uncle. Mr.. Dovnerl"

1t was q mild January morning. After the
children were all assembled in school, il began
to rain heavily, and continued pouring. The
recess was unavailable. Nobody went out far
ther than the hall. Harry heard an extensive
rustling, and looked up from sum he was
correcting. The small children were thrusting
themselves into all imaginable attitudes, in or
der to obtain relief from the pain produced by
continuing too long in ono posture.
They looked miserable, and ill-naturcd, as
though any change, fight, or whipping,
would be preferable to the crampcd and weari-
some situation in which they were held.
Poor children !" said Harry, compassionate
ly; "you cannot keep still any longer. Are
you tired of sitting, Tommy"
"Is, sir" said the little child, just beginning
to cry"
"Well, stand up, all of you walk across to
the door; now come back ; 60 again once more /;
como back clap your hands; laugh as loud as
you can"
This they did, all the school bearing them
company"
"There, now, do you feel better :"
ais, sir" said Tommy. "Is, sir" said they
all.
alt seems to me you all look tired, and this
is really very tedious morning. We have
such largo room, we might as we'll have lit
tic exercise in. doors, seeing it is too damp to
play out. You may all of you-that is, all who
wish to--como down into the floor, and march
q little. have my flute in my pocket and all
the boys who can, may whistle. Please range
yourselves two by two first tho boys, then the
girls. Well march just five minutes, and then
VIC shall be able to study much better. Begin
with the left foot. No,o r. and away they went,
to tho tune cf " Jefferson and Liberty" which
Harry played, tho boys whistlcd, and the girls
hummcd.
"Stop turn right about all There now;
march the other way" All the school joined
in this, except John Beal, the young man, who
sat entirely engrosscd by his arithmetic.
Snow YOU may take your seats quietly, and
study as fast as possible"
All chcerfully obeycd, and dead silence
succeeded, which was interrupted by an angry
knoeL at the door. One of the boys opened it.
1t was Mr.. Mars, who was prowling about in
the hope Of being able to mako himself useful.
lie sternly observed. al thought you seemed
to have a riot here, and did not know but you
might want some assistance"
"Oh, dear, no. sir" cried Harry, laughing
"You sec, sir, it is such wet day that the
scholars cannot 60 out to play; and they cam
not study without some exercise. So let them
march for five minutes and you see how nice
ly they arc making up the time. I am sorry
you did not come in little sooner to see them"
al don't know" said Mr.. Maris, shaking
head; " think it is rather an innovation"
"An improvement, sire Yes, sir, you are
right. 1t is great improvement on the dark
days when poor children were whipped because
they could not possibly sit still any longer. This
improvement, with many others, were intro
duced into the common schools by a most sue
ccssful teacher,-Thomas A. Boldcr, Esq, from
the city,
al don't know" said Mr.. Maris, dopbtfuly
shaking his head. "Wcll you haven't sent
for me yet:'
"No, sir, thank you; VIC have had no occa-
sion. "WOn't you step in and hear us read y
"Well, don't care if l do. may find some
opportunity of being useful"
AS the boys took their places on tho floor,
there was slight disturbance, and Mr.. Maris
exclaimed, "There are two boys crowding and
whispering"
| Harry hastcned TO them, and said, in low,
kind voice, "What is the matter, my boys -
They hesitated q moment. and the one who
stood lowest replied, Enoch missed word
yesterday, and 1 spelled 1t, and went above
him; but don't think it was quite fair that
should have taken his place. because he misun-
derstood the word. l should rather he should
keep his place"
"Well, Enoch;" said Harry turning to the
other"
81 was very sorry to loose my place; but
was inattontivc, and 1 think ought to 60 be-
low James"
al had rather he should keep his place said
James.
You are both of you very honorable and gen.
crous, and am exceedingly pleased at your con-
duct; but can't decide between you. Where
there are plenty of witnesses, it is sometimes
we'll to decide the case by vote of the class
but as this seems to be an affair between two
we must settle it by lot. Clare, will you find
two sticks of unequal length, and let them
draw ?"
This WAS soon DONE Enoch drew the long
est stick, and so retained his place.
"Perhaps," limited Mr.. Maris, " my boy has
cheated Enoch and he arc great friends"
Instantly the blood rushed to Harry's face,
and the lightning flashed from his eyes. He
stood up, Indignantly confronting Mr.. Maris,
and looking, to his amazed pupils, as tall as