The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1855-01-11
"won't Anything wash IL on,

Mary F.. The term in that village
not being quite out, l chose to attend
school with my friend, rather than to al.
low her to leave her class. As usual in
district schools, many of the scholars bro'I
lunch and spent the recess at the school.
room. And gay time they had in those
long summer intelmissions. On the first
day that witnessed their merriment, for
even at that early age, my habits of obser-
walton led me TO stand aside and look on
rather than share il the sports of my com
panions, the departure Of the teacher was
a signal for all kinds Of sport and froIc.-
One little girl, whom they called Helen,
sprang into the desk, declaring that she
was going to be school-ma' am
She was bright, laughing, blue-eyed
child, her round fair face perfectly radiant
with smiles and dimples, and as she stood
welding her large ruler, almost as long as
herself, and shaking her sunny curls with
mock gravity, she seemed personifcation
of innocence and mirth. But in some of
her curious efforts TO make her scholars be
have she upseta large ink-stand, which
stood near apile of valuable paintings and
drawings.
%, dearP she shrieked, and now there
was no mockery in her tone-'what shall
do? Miss White will kill me certain
What's the matter? asked my friend
Mary, who stood outside the door. told
her what had happened. Come away,
saidsshe. 4 havn't seen any thing, and
Miss White won't ask YOU
So she drew me away, and we did not
return till the bell rang. AS we entered
the school-room, pale faces met us on every
side. The teacher was very angry, and
yainly sought the author of the mischief.
Mary said she, holdingup one of the ru-
lned paintings, do you know who did
this?'
4 have been away all the noon-time,
she replied, and have just returned
We'll, said she, the one who did it had
better own it,for l shall find you out some
time.
But no one confessed. Then turning
suddenly to young and timid girl, she
said, Jane, tell me who split this ink, or
I'll whip you till you do
Jane was frightened. She knew what
Miss Whites whippings were. and losing
all presence of mind, she stammered out,
Il saw Billy trying to clean it up; but l
guess he didn't spill it,
Now, Billy, was little black boy, who
attracted my attention the moment l saw
him. His skin was very dark, but his
black. shining hair lay smooth over his
head, except where it curled with almost
feminine beauty around high, bold fore
head, His large flashing eyes were as
black as midnight, and his countenance
was of marked intelligence. lie was about
Helen's age, and they were great friends
and playmates.
Billy said the teacher, did you spill
the ink?
No, ma'am.' .--
DO youknow who did spill it?' -.
Yes, ma'am.'
who was it?'
Il can't tell?'
Her face grew pale with passion.
you don't tell me- she said, IN give
youa whipping that you will remcmber.-
| Who was II? speak sir
Miss White said the little fellow, as he
looked up in her face, L can bear the whip
ping, but l cant tell who split the ink. 1t
was an accident
Take off your jacket, sir, and step out
on the floor. Wen see how you'll bear
whipping
He obeyed; and taking up large willow
rod, she caught his arm and again asked if
he would tell who split the ink
No, ma'amP was the firm reply. l
looked at Helen. She was pale and tremb-
ling. thought she was fainting. But l
was mistaken.
Don't strike himp she shrieked, as she
sprang to the floor. and threw her arms a.
round sneck. Il did it, Miss White, but
didn't mean to. l was playing school
MAMA
You little black scouudrel!' exclaimed
theteacher, as she slightly shook the boy;
why did you not tell me at once?'
Billy looked up, and O, such look as
he gave her! Helen's tears and sobs
stopped in an instant, and looking fearless
ly in her teachers face, she said. He's
not a scoundrel; he's a good boy
We'll, go to your Seats she said, and
in future keep out of my desk
Billy did not Immediately obey. Itho't
he was deliberating whether he should go
TO his seat or out of the house. But he
went to his seat and dropped his head on
the counter. When called to read he rose
with swollen eyes and a quivering lip
When school was out, he caught his hat
and run. What did it mean? Crossing a
bridge on our way home, Helen suddenly
cried, ..-...
d. There's Billy, now.' -:
Looking up the stream, we saw him on
his knees beside the river, washing his
face and rubbing it with sand. He stoop-
cd and bent over to gaze at the reflection
in the water, while the tears rolled down
his cheeks, Helen was soon at his side,
when he looked up, and in tones of grief,
exclaimed. '
%, Helen, won't anything wash it off?'
Wash what OFF, she asked, 4 am sure
there is nothing you need to wash off"
you know said he, 'she called me a
little blaek'----a sob finished the sentence,
and covering his fase with his hands he
wept as though his heart would break.
The rest of the children now came up,
and, touched by his manifestation of wound
ed feelings, undertook TO console him by
sayinr thew would like him lust as well as