The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-02-19
Foutbn' Department
A story for the Little Folks.

A Story for the Little Folks.
One afternoon, last winter, ~ Miss Grey
reached the sehool-house, she Jaw In the en-
lry great, rough boy, who went 10 another
school, holding two Of her best scholars by
the shoulders and seeming 70 feel "a though
doing something very wonderful, John. the
larger of the two boys, seemed very angry
and was seolding and struggling With oil his
might. while Willie. though crying stood
very quietly.
The boys did not see Miss Grey until she
said "Well. Amos" 1he large boy looked
around, saying "ier see here's two O. yer
boy, been lighting, and I'm holding Of 'en
ain YOU come" you may release them
said the teachers and they gladly followed
her into the school-room, leaving Amos TO go
about his business. Amer ringing the hell
FOR the children 10 be seated, Miss Grey said
"Now John and Willie may come and tell me
what has happened" Johns eyes we're still
flashing. and his hands were tightly clenched
while Willie, 10 the surprise Of oil, was still
crying. This was very unusual, for he was
brave, manly boy. and never cried for triiies
90 the teacher asked "Willie, why are you
crying2 ?" my head aches" was his reply
and then Miss Grey noticed that his thick
eurl hair was matted with blood. Some
water and sponge we're qaiekly brought, and
upon washing away the blood, large bruise
showed itself Amer this was properly cared
Tor, the teacher turned to John, saying "John,
YOU may tell me all about IT,"
"Why," said John, still looking as II he
was not ready to give up his light the boys
we're playing ball, and Frank Bnrrows threw
it away down the street, and Bill'--"J Ohm"
said Miss Grey very grwely John fdgctIed
n little under her earnest look, then went on,
land Willie and both started for IL.
got to il first, and just as stopped TO pick it
up, Willie pushed me down" "what then ?"
inquired the teacher Johns face flushed
and his eye fell, as he said-ol hit him a lick"
Ibid YOU make that biuise? p
"Yes'm, guess 80"
did Willie strike back ?"
NO mn'am he doubled up his fist all
ready, but guess he thought he couldn't beat
NE"
"You pushed John down. did you ?" 'Yrs,
ma'am,- aud Willirs clear, honest eyes were
raised TO his teachers "but didn't mean to :
Nubbcd my toe and tell against him, and,
he was stouPfug, It ptsifsJ t''''' 'i17rfs=''is
his face "What did you do when John
struck YOU ?" 81 had great mind "a strike,
too. but | thought of something, and then l
told him was sorry hurt him" said Willie.
why was it necessary for Amos TO hold
YOU ," 81 didn't think there was any need
Of il !" and he halflaughed in spite Of his
aching head but he took John in one hand,
and me in the other, and kept telling us TO
quit or he'd thrash us both. am sorry if
lhurt John by falling against him, for real
~ didn't mean TO-"
''Yes he did to-" interrupted John, angri-
ly abe wanted Frank to think he was fast
or runner than l, and was mad because !
heat"
"You may sit down" said the teacher; "and
ohm, wish you to think the matter all over,
remembering Williss explanation, which
believe to be the true one ; and at recess you
may tell me who has been to blame
The boys sat ut the same desk, so John
turned his back to Willie, and getting as Ear
from him as possible, took up n book and
pretended to he studying very haEd. Pres
entity he wished for pencil and remembered
that he had left his upon the teachers table
Ho raised his hand, and asked for his pencil
but n class was recting, and Miss Grey wish
ed no one to cross the room until the class
was seated.
May / load him mine ?" asked Willie
aud noticing the glance Of approval which
accompanied the permission to do as h,
wished. selected his best pencil and placed il
before John.
Take IL, John" said Miss Grey, as sh,
saw he did not seem to notice it. John pick
cd it up, but instead Of using it. began turn
ing Il over and over and looking at it al
though it was some strange thing he hnC
never seen before His teacher was watch
ing him, and soon she saw tear roll down
his cheek. then another and another at las
he laid his head upon the desk and sohbeC
aloud. Miss Grey went to him, and laying
her hand upon his head, asked, "What is tn,
riater?" John sobbed out. 81 am sorry !
struck Willie."-"Would you like to tell hin
so?" "Yesm; :" and the sobs almost choket
him, as he turned to Willie and said, "Pleast
forgive me, Willie; / am sorry / struck YOU
j might have known you did not mean TO de
it," Willie put his cur, lead close tc
Johns that Miss Grey did p0t hear HE an
Swer, but Johns ohangeth faea showed tina
he was forgiven.
p. snow, Willie, "said his teacher, "wih yos
tell us what that something was Of ,shi6l
yon thought whcn Won was tempted to strike
John 81 he heaiRnied q moment. then sait