The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-28
For the National Era.
sroRIEs FOR CHILDREN AND POETS.
IcoNcLUDED.l
BY ELIZA L. sPRoAT.

BY ELIZA L. sPRoAT.
IcoNcLUDED.l
tWashingtonians' said |, turning to the
boys. Il didn't want to mention 1t; but SINCE
Won insist, I'll tell you ,chy refuse. Three
months ago, made promise 70 my father
never to cross those rocks without his special
60 Amiabc Alfred!' sneered Sloucher.
.WashiDgtOnians, did any one ever hear Of this
6lial promise bsforeH
"And it was true enough that Tom Sloucher
was the only fellow in the school that knew of
ny 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 Alf Benson Gays he made a
promise to his father, he did make promise (;
for Aft Benson is not in the habit Of lying; and
| say to Tom Sloucher in particular, that if he
wants to prove bis courage, let him choose a
fellow that can take up his challenge-let him
cross the Cauldron with me =
"No, no, Hail. says you shan't-you
mustn't won't let you
"'0h! 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 Alf' whispered two or three fell
lows; your father won't know
"'YOur father won't care
Z" His father didn't tell him, squealed some
Of the Tonys, who had just begun to think they
understood the matter
Hark says Harry starting
at was the second school bell and our din.
ners not touched, and half mile to 90!
"Ihe Tonys took to eheir heels, and scatter
ed direct for school and Hal and were start
ing of on bee line, when noticed what
seemed 70 be very queer behavior on the part
Of The other Neutrality-suspicious. instead of hurry
ing they dragged, and fingered, and looked
mysteriously at each other.
"'What does it mean g says To Jack Viii
son.
why, don't you knowi says he, in sur
prise; don't you know what the master said
last week about the fellows going up to the
Cauldron between schoolsl'
Not word Of it, says ], astonished.
"'Oh! como now, that won't do says Jack,
incredulous, when you come to put that right
on the otherp
90 Jack Wilson, says |, believe me or not,
solemnly declare that this is the first ever
heard Of the matter
Well, what do you mean to doa' says
Jack
So Tell him So says |.
" Don't says Jack, kindly; after what has
happened it will be more than you can do
AXE the punishment, then dare say it
won't be worth making fuss shout
Only fogging'
But Mr.. Shakespeare don't fog
You'll see; | can tell you what the other
fellows will do
"'Wenl'
Have rebellion
Pshaw you won't Join it q
N-no, didn't want to but If all the other
boys did -
60 WON'T says Hal.
"'l WON'T Gays |.
Then | WON'T says Jack Wilson, rather
dOubtfully.
When we had nearly reached the school
house, drew Harry back, behind the rest, and
kissed him.
How hate to be caught doing anything
sentimental! Harry colored up, too, though
ne tried not to show it for there, erinning
round at us from behind tree, was that ever
lasting Sloucher.
Sweetly touching says he; and Harry
looked at me- almost angry.
iIfee quarters Of an hour after time! in
we walked, one by one, and took our seats in
silence The master rose
Boys, says he, / have spent the last three
>qnhs:ors of an hour in thinking; ! have ar
fIVed at this conclusion When | took this
@hool it was with the determination to gov
srn, as far as possible, by influence, instead of
lear to substitute, as far as possible, system
Oh rewards, instead of punishments; and not,
the rod
The boys looked up.
Within the last hour continued the mas
~I u have changed my mind
The boys shuffled.
have concluded that when find myself
;;suucea to the alternative Of resorting to pun
a 1hmen'' or compromising the discipline Of my
~. tSnVUl auty demands the former course. In
S ne nrs. place, here are twenty boys who have
70 Vpeyed my orders in regard TO MONDAY visits
~ ,ne .suldron; these will spend their moons
~ tne schOolroom for the next week Second
" observed, this morning, an infraction of
rue which, as warned you yesterday. in.
@nded to enforce with severity allude to the
naot OF chewing and throwing rolls Of paper /:
q matter trifling in itself, but which regard
~ present with reference to it's being one of
sO points on which my authority as master,
o'ands at issue IL the perpetrator of this was
not one OF the twenty, he will be added to their
number IT he was, he will be logged!
All was silent. Mr.. Shakespeare had given
va, one whipping since no came but that was
urea sSieaotul one; still, ! was surprised that Hal
4, IL that boy is honest, be will confess, said
:, felt poor Harry give one glance at ma .
-. ~ oOys looked at each other; looked no
Harre knew u wasn't fear Of the pain made
ana Z later but he had never been whipped
ana S ,ne thought OF its going home to his father
tins whn sner was more than he could bear. All
signs n", mere were growing signs of trouble
inc HE .', showed MIR. Shakespeare that enforc-
easv 20. ''es was going to be anything but an
king Of OF 'aere was shutting Of feet and sba-
al tho sa 1'as and mutterings and low Kisses !;
ance ''"ooi was in a sort OF nucleus of resist.
on.1 shall question each bow, said the m a.,s,
paOa r John Wilson did YOU throw sny
Fape. this morning. ''' '"o" any
IN. no you know who did,
question.a oegan to tremble. One BY one was
peaIns's and replied; turned nv ewes sp-
away. marry, but he kept his turned
81 a. came to me.
Tbeg Is'a says !, breaking out all at once
wlliSv ~ scech you, not 10 ask me about Il I'm
you wou axe the punishment, but can't tell
rose loud da Il. said WON'T the signs Of rebellion
ing isl, s ,s. mutterinG Aounc;ng hi~.
a,T FSsi tor insobordinstiou. w.
i ins master said
neither ,so believe that with you nssd oree
700 ought s :. nor psoaisaa nor rsasoss NV
ho~ thinS. snswes ny qsnion. You eco
wan, - are situated and l lei thss Won
to dse "a 20 right viii give you Itsis tine