The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-05-05
WHOLE NUMBER COZ.

A School lNcIDENT.--ln the early years,
attended the public school 10 Roxbury,
Mass. Dr.. Nathaniel Prentice was our
respected teacher but bis patience, At times,
would get nearly exhausted by the infrac-
lions Of tho school rules by the scholars,
On one occasion; in rather wrathy way,
no threatened punish with six blows Of
very heavy ferule, the first boy detected in
whispering, and appointed some as detect
ors. Shortly after, one Of the detectors
shouted, 'Mester John Zeigler is whisper
ing John was called up, and asked il it
was act-(John, by the way, was favor
ite both of the teacher and his school .mates.)
l''Yes,' answered John, II was not aware
what was about. Twas intent in working
ou. sum, and requested the one who sat
next to reach me the arithmetic that con-
tanned the rule, which | wished to see.n
The Doctor regretted his hasty threat but
told John he could not suffer him to escape
the punishment, and continued: ~ wish
could avoid it, but cannot, without q for
fe,ure of my word, and the consequent loss
Of my authority. | will, continued he,
''eave it to any three scholars you may
choose, 10 say whether or no shall omit
The punishment" John said he was agreed
to that, and Immediately called out G. s.,
T. D., and D. P. D. The Doctor told them
to return verdict, which they soon did,
(after consultation as follows: "The mas-
ter's words must be kept inviolate-John
must receive the threatened punishment of
six blows of the ferule; but it must be inflict-
ed on volunteer proxies; and we, the arbi-
traitors, will share the punishment by receiv-
ing two blows EACH" John, who had lis.
tened to the verdict, stepped up TO the
Doctor, and with out-stretched hand, ex-
claimed; "Master, here is my hand; they
shan't be struck blow; will receive the
punishment" The Doctor, under pretence
of wping his face, shielded his eyes, and
telling tine boys to 60 to their seats, said he
would think oft. believe he did think Of
it TO his diving day, but the punishment was
never inficted.-Cin. Times.
PRoor PosITIvE.-Those who are much
in the habit of holding disputalions with
their fellowmen, on moral and religious
subjects, must have often been amused by
Tic toSSSo pCisCScBuuCC Win WHICH SOtU0
people, who have more zeal than knowl-
edge, attempt TO establish an opinion by
Juggling in text alter text Of Scripture
which have no possible connexion with
each other. To attempt to "argufy the To-
pic" with such folks is about 40 idle an IN.
dertoking as il would be for man 10 e.
deavor to catch phantom, or to embraces
his own shadow. Ridicule is the only wea.
pom that can be welded, with success, in .
battle with an antagonist who 10 protected
by coat Of mail composed of ignorance,
stupidity and zeal No man was probably
ever better fitted to s'do battle" with those
valiant skirmishers than the amiable Bish-
|op Cheverus. On one occasion an ipno-
rant person in arguing against him, under
took TO prove his own position by bringing
together passages from the Bible, which
had about as much conneyion with each
other az virtue and vice, and then, in a tone
Of triumph asked, "What have YOU 10 an.
swer to that?" The Bishop replied, calmly,
"Hava you not read in the Scriptures that
Judas hanged himself? WE'LL" added he,
smiling, 't is also said in the Scriptures.
Go thou and do Merise. -Ph;ladelpAia
Journal.