Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-01-07

i"o ecaChcT rule so TAR was good
one. The school was remarkable for its
quietude. If Anna Hawkes. had not been
present, Mr.. Stone would have counted il a
success, but as it was, ho was in constan.
tremor of fear.
A raised hand in tho neghborhood of
her seat, and tinid application for assis-
lance was mot with something like an uu-
reasonable frown. In a hurried nervous
way he proceeded to explain away tho diff,
Guilty to the timid applicant to be free from
such dangerous surroundings. Just as he
was eongratulating himself upon his sue
cess, and about turning away, rapid, whis-
pered yollOy Of words ratified past his cars.
There was no avoiding it. He knew the
source from whence they came, as we'll "a
did every scholar that hoard them. He
could not pass thoughtlessly along. The
dread alarm had come with such n sudden
dlstlnctness as to surprise him into an in.
voluntary start. Every pair of eycs in the
school-room were turned inquirinoly ard
curlously to his face. He was forced irto
doing his duty. The heavy beard about
bis mouth was friendly to him then. for il
covered suspicious pallor that settled there
as he turned about and rested biz eyes
upon the blushing, piquant face Of Anna
Hawkes. She was the picture of inno-
cenco just then, with her brown lashes
dropped low upon her cheeks, and the
pearly white teeth crushed cruelty down
upon the crimson of her lips.
"Miss Hawkes. can you tell mo who
whispered moment sincer
"Yss, sir" Tho whito lids were thrown
wIdc open, and the clOar eye fixed frankly
upon his own.
"Who?"
~, sir"
"Will you obligo me by stepping this
way moment" He led the way out into
tho floor.
Eyes, sir, certainly" She followed him
promptly, pausing beside the desk and rest
ing one hand prettiy upon its top.
u suppose you listened to my rule Of
this morning?"
ayes, sir"
"You understood it, too, doubtlcsslo
"Yes. sir, perfectly"
understanding it perfectly, then, you
have been pleased 10 break it. Can YOU
name my dutyi'
vt does not admit Of question. For
ule me, sir" She commenced drawing
slender gold ring from her left hand
This handP q she asked, suddenly looking
up into his face.
"We have plenty of time, Miss Hawkes.;
do not hurry" he said, eyadiug her oues-
ton, - have something to say to YOU"
She leaned her elbow upon the desk,
and her burning face upon her hand. ~
shall bo happy to listen to you," she said.
81 will not trouble you but moment,
only to say that | regres more than am
able to express, that a scholar whom have
ever endeayore1 to treat with uniform eour-
tesy and respect and in whose advancement
had felt lively interest, should, bv so
glarlng misdemeanor, such utter contempt
OF my wishes, avow her disregard for me
as ateacher and friend. Such DISPLAY
IS unpleasant enough if a mere child will
fully breaks the rule of school, but when
instead, young gentleman or lady so far
forgets him or herself, it is intensely pain
tul. assure you that l deeply regret this"
Anna bowed gracefully as Mr.. Stone
ceased speaking. Again her white teeth
were dented into her lip, vhile the brown
lashes trembled close upon the deep, burn
ing red of her cheeks.
"Your hand, if you please"
The little white hand was reached forth
as though it were to receive caress instead
OF blow. As it lay so teDdorly and trust
lngly upon the broad palm of tho teacher,
ne lnwardly cursed his stars. He called
himself a brute, tyrant, monster. He
had mind to get down upon his knees and
pray for big mouthed earthquake to como
and swallow him; for sudden flash of light
ming lin the winter time) to melt him into
nonentity; for whirlwind to sweep him
with its rapid, rushing wing from off tho
earth. Strike that little dimpled hand
with cruel two inch ruloi He had rath-
er cover, aye blister it with kisses, instead
For moment he thought he'd kneeI before
her, and ask her to give tho pale prisoner
entirely to him. 1t would be his hand
then, and no one could blame him for not
wishing to injure his own property. A
thought struck him. He might strike his
own hand instead of Annals. He was in
mood for cracking every kuuckle that be
owned. He raised his ruler. Anna
raised her eyes to bis face. His Fixed de-
tsrmined expression startled her. She
would bear his blow without shrinking,
without starting, she thought, but, o, she
would hate him hate him 80 long as she
lived. As tho thought flashed through
her miad, a gay, dashing looking sleigh,
drawn by pair of fine horses, came rapid
ly up to the school house door.
Lucky, lucky Mr.. Stone; the rule fell
harrnlessly upon the fair, rosy palm of An
ma, as he turned his eyes toward the win
dow, and e..,eel.einled hurriedIy:
"The committee, Miss Hawkes.. You
can take your seat now, but remain to night
after school. Even for this interruption /
should not feel justified in letting the affair
pass"
"Ihs last committee man upon earth
that | would care to soc" |" exclaimed Mr..
Stone to himself, as he bowed low bofore
the pompous young gentleman, known by
tho eognomen Of DR.. Wesley Barker, who
raped with his whip upon the door--sa;d
young gentleman being ono Of wealth aud
education. But the teacher did not care
a fig for his wealth--he did not envy him
--or anything for his oducaticn--his own