Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-06-14

wanld not be wondsflul if he should,
in some moment Of apparent good health
be suddenly taken away.
The poor widow was at first in cou-
tinual state of uneasiDes, tut several
years had now elapsed, and none OF the
impending evils had fallen upon the
boys head. His mother seemed to feel
confident that be would live, and be
shield and honor to her old age, and the
two struggled OH together, mutually
happy in each other. and enduring much
Of poverty and discomfort, each tor the
others sake.
Tins pleasant deposition made him
many friends in the village, among the
res, young farmer named Jones, who,
with his elder brother, wo. ked large
farm in the neighborhood, on shares
Jones very frequently made Tin pres
en-. Of bag ofpo,a,oes or corn, or some
garden vegetables, which he took from
his own stock but as his partner was q
parsinonious, high tempered man, aud
he had often remarked that Tim was an
idle fellow, and ought not to be helped
because he did not work, Jones general
ly made his presents in such q manner
that no one knew anything about them
except himself aud the grateful objects
Of his kindness.
1t might be, too, that the widow was
10th to have it understood by the neigh
bors that she received food from any
one; for there is always an excnsable
pride in the people OF her condition
which makes them shrink froE being
considered as objects Of charity, ashley
would from the seyerest pain.
On the night in question, Tim had
been told that Jones would send him a
bag of potatoes, and that the place at
which they were TO be waiting tor him
was fixed at Mr.. Nichols garden fence.
1t was this bag that Tim had been stag
gcring under, and which had caused the
unlucky boy to be accused and convict
ed by his teacher as thief.
That teacher was one little fitted for
his important aud responsible Office
Hasty to decide, and lnflexibly severe,
he was the terror of the little world he
ruled so despoticalIy. Punishment he
seemed to delight in. Knowing little Of
those sweet fountains which in chldren''
breasts open quickly at the call Of gen
leness and kind words, he was feared by
all for his sternncss, and loved by none.
| would that he were an insulated in
stance 10 h s profession.
The hour Of grace had drawn to a
close, and the time approached at which
Lugsre was to give bis school Joyful
ly received dismission. Now and then
one Of the scholars would direct fusi
tive glance at Tim, and sometimes in
pity sometimes indifference or inquiry
They knew that he would have no mercy
shown him, and though most Of them
loved him, whipping was too common
there to excite much sympathy. Every
inqairing glance, however, remained un-
satisfied for, at the end of the hour
Tin remained with his face completely
hidden, and his head bowed down in
his arms, precisely as he had leaned
himself when he first went to his seat.
Lugarc looked at the boy occasionally
with \ scowl, which BODIED vengeance
for his sulkness. At length the last
class had been heard, aud the last lesson
recited, and Lugare seated himself be-
hind his desk on the platform, with his
longest and stoutest rattan before him.
"Now Baker," he said, " we'll settle
that little business Of yours. Just step
here" Tim did not move. The school
room was as still as the grave. Not a
sound was to be heard, except, occasion
ly long drawn breath.
"Mind me, sir, or 1t will be the worse
for you. Step up here and take off your
jacket"
The boy did not stir any more than il
he had been wood. Lugare shook With
passion. He sat still minute, as if con-
sdering the best way to wreak bis ven-
geance. That minute passed in death
like silence, and was a fearful one to
some of the children, for their faces
whitened with fright. 1t seemed, as it
slowly dropped away, like the minute
which precedes the climax of an exquis-
itely performed tragedy, when some
msghty master of the hstrionic art is
treading the stage, and you and the null
titude around are waiting with stretched
nerves and suspended breath in expec-
tation OF the terrible catastrophe.
"Tlm's asleep, sir, at length said one
of the boys who sat near him.
Lugare, at this intelligence, allowed
his features to relax from their express
sion of savage anger with smile !; but
that smile looked more malignant, ifpos-
siblc, than its former scows. 1t might
be that he felt amused at the horror de-
picted on the faces of those about him,
or it might be that he was gloating in
pleasure on the way in which he intend
ed to wake the poor little slumberer.
Asleep, are you. m: young gentle
man." said he; slet US see ii we can't
find something to tickle your eyes open.
There is nothing like making the best
of bad case, boys. Tim, he is deter
mined not to be worried in his mind
about little tioggiug, for the thought Of
it cant even keep the little scoundrel
awake"
Lugare smiled again as he made the
last observation. He grasped the rattan
firmly and descended from his seat.
With light and stealthy steps he crossed
the room and stood by the unlucky
sleeper.
The boy was still unconscious of his
impending punishment as ever. He