The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-28
For tho National Era.
Stories FOB CHILDREN AND POETS
[coNcLUDED.l
By ELIZA L. sPRoAT.


By ELIZA L. sPRoAT.
IcoNcLUDEDl
'Washingtonians,' said turning to the
bows, Il didn't want to mention it; but since
YOU insist, I'll tell you Dhy refuse. Three
months ago, made promise to my father
never to cross those rocks without his special
permission.
.WsshiDgtonians did any one ever hear Of this
flia promise bcf0reH
GAind it was true enough that Tom Sloucher
was the only fellow in the school that knew of
nv promise
aUp jumps Harry, his eyes flashing and his
whole face blazing red as usual:
a'Washingtonians,' he cried, Il am Alf Ben
sons particular friend, and say to the whole
of you, that if ALT Benson says he made
promise to his father, he did make promise !;
for Alf Benson is not in the habit Of lying; and
say to Tom Sloucher in particular, that if he
wants to prove his courage let him choose q
fellow that can take up his challenge-let him
cross the Cauldron with me y
"No no, Hal, says /; 'you shan't-you
mustn't won't let you
"Oh no. chuckles Sloucher, who had got
very white again mot at all, sweet friend
Harry; sooner than that he'll jump it himself
Jump it ALE whispered two or three fell
lows; your father won't know
"'Your father won't care
His father didn't tell him, squealed some
Of the TOnys who had just begun to think they
understood the matter
Harkp says Harry, starting
1T was the second school bell and OUT din
ners not touched, and half mile to go
"The TOnys took to their heels, and scatter
ed direct for school and Hal and were start
ing off on bee line, when | noticed what
seemed to be very queer behavior on the part
of The other Neutrality-suspicious. instead of hurry
ing they dragged, and fingered, and looked
mysterously at each other.
"'What does it mean? g says to Jack Will
son.
why don't you know2' says he in sur
prise don't you know what the master said
last week, about the fellows going up to the
Cauldron between schoolsq'
Not word of it says l. astonished
"'Oh! como now, that won't d. says Jack
ncredulous, when you come to put that right
on the oherp
"'Jack Wilson, says l. believe me or not,
solemnly declare that this is the first | ever
heard of the matter
~ Well, what do you mean to dor says
Jack.
Tell him SO, says l.
"'Don't' Gays Jack, kindly; after what has
happened it will be more than you can do
Take the punishment then; dare say it
#on't be worth making fuss about
Only fogging'
But Mr.. Shakespeare don't fog
en- you'll see; can tell you what the other
fellows will do.
"'Welll
d" Have rebellion
Pshaw you won't Join it -
N-no, didn't want to; but if all the other
boys did -
60 WON'T says Hal
81 won't, says /.
Then | WON'T says Jack Wilson, rather
dOubfully.
When we had nearly reached the school
aouse, ! drew Harry back, behind the rest, and
kissed him.
I" How hate to be caught doing anything
sentimental Harry colored up, too, though
be tired not to show it for there, grinning
round at US from behind tree, was that ever
lasting Sloucher.
SSeetly touching says he and Harry
looked at me, almost angry.
infee quarters of an hour after time! In
We walked one by one, and took our seats in
silence The master rose
Boys rays he, Il have spent the last three
'qo'sarS OF an hour in thinking; have ar
n,ed at this conclusion When / took this
@nOOl 1t was with the determination to gov
sfn, as far as possible, by influence, instead of
'saf to substitute, as far as possible system
VI rewards, instead of punishments; and not,
the rod
The boys looked up.
=. within the last hour continued the mas
VET M NJ have changed my mind
Inc boys shufled.
have concluded that when find myself
; sSm TO the alternative Of resorting to pun
sc I1,en' or compromising the discipline Of my
tba uGsy demands the former course. In
ds U nr'. place here are twenty boys who have
to tbe c my orders in regard to MONDAY visits
in tbe e Dauidron; these will spend their moons
10 W ,'onoolroom for the next week. Second
Nj deserved, this morning, an infraction of
tendod ton as warned you yesterday, in.
bab;t as - enforce with severity; I allude to the
49,, =, onew!ng and throwing rolls Of paper !;
A. n. triiling in itself, but which regard
,r present with reference to it's being one of
~. POln's on which my authority, as master,
No. ~Has at issue. If the perpetrator of this was
n nO yoe OF the twenty he viii be added to their
'umoUr; At he was, he will be floQeod.'
- All was silent. Mr.. Shakespeare had eiven
~, one whipping since no came, but that was
s,S %saaiui one still was surprised that Hal
tn. MT IL that boy is honest, he will confess said
tbo lett poor Harry give one glance at me
~ Wys looked at each other I looked no
Harrs knew it wasn't fear Of the pain made
and aser but he had never been whipped,
and no sought OF its going home 70 his father
tAis wSna was more than he could bear. All
signs tba, " ~ were growing signs Of trouble
ing bis r", anowed MIR. Shakespeare that enforc-
easy tasl ,, was going to be anything but an
hing of h. ,nere Was shutting of feet, and sha-
III the soSau and mutterings, and low Kisses
anco ''"ooi was in a sort OF nucleus of resist
quietly question each boy said the master,
'' EN- this mOrningi' N'
IN, No you know who didqp
questioo.a began to trembls One by one was
pealipgv and replied; turned my eyes ap
away F" Harry, but he kept his turned
%"lhss@s to me.
Tbeg ISs. says breaking out all at once,
Wiling 10 Sec you, not 70 ask me about il Pm
you-- wou axe the punishmcnt, but I can't tell
Won't tell you'll
rose loud :, ss,d 'eon'l the signs of rebellion
ing S.,, siantiiing, mutterine. fiouncing, hiss.
the signal n that in that one word hsd given
Tina Tina Tor insubordination.
ane master said:
neither tSrs.,o believe that with you need urge
700 ought ~ nor promises, nor reasons wxs
nov thinrs snswer my question. You see
,ant to do - situated and ! feel that you
"decide > 'ght-l will give you little time
En