Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-06-29
Death In a School Room.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.

A SKETCH FROM LIFE.
Ting-a-ling-ling! went the bell on the
teachers desk of village school room, one
morning, when the studies of the earlier part
of the day were about half completed. It
was well understood that this was the COM
mand for silence and attention. and when
these had been obtained, the master spoke.
He was low, thick set man, and his name
was Lugare.
"Boys," said he, have complaint en-.
tertained. Last night some of you were
stealing fruit from Mr.. Nichols garden
rather think know the thief. Tim Baker,
step up here, sir"
The one to whom he spoke came forward.
He was slight, fair looking boy, about four
teen, and his face had laughing good hu-
morcd expression, which even the charge now
preferred against him, and the stern tones and
the threatening look of the teacher had not
entirely dissipatcd. The countcnance of the
boy, however, was too uncarthly fair for
health. 1t had, Notwithstanding its feshy,
cheerful look, q singular cast, as if some in
ward disease, and that fearful one, was set
tied within. As the stripplig stood before
that place of judgment, that place so often
made the scene of heartlcss and coarse bru-
| tality, of timid innocence confused, helpless
childhood outraged and gentle feelings crush
ed, Lugare looked upon him with q frown
which plainly told that he felt in no very
pleasant mood. HapIly worthier and more
philosophical system is proving to men that
schools can be better governed than by lashes
and tears and signs. We are fast waxing to-
wards the consummation, when the old fash
iOned school master, with his raw-hide, birch
rod, and his many ingenious methods of child.
torture, will be gazed upon as sacred me-
mento of an ignorant, cruel, and exploded
doctrine. May propitious gales speed the day |!
Were you in Mr.. Nichols garden last
night?" asked Lugare.
Yes, sir" answered the boy, ~ was.''
well, sir, I'm glad to find you so ready
with your confession. And so you thought
you could do a little robbing, and enjoy your
self in manner you ought to be ashamed to
own, without being punished did your"
have not been robbing," replied the boy
quickly. His face was suffused. whether
with resentment Or fright, it was difficult to
tell; and didn't do anything last night
that I'm ashamed to own"
"No impudence," exclaimed the teacher
passionately as he grasped a long and heavy
rattan; give me n0rie Of your smart speeches,
or IN thrash you till you beg like dog.''
The youngsters face paled a little, his lip
quivered but he did not speak.
"And pray, sir" continued Lugare, as the
outward signs Of wrath disappeared from his
features, what were you about the garden
for! Perhaps you only received the piunder,
and had an accomplice to do the most dam
gerous PIT Of the job?''
II first went that way because it was on
my way home. / was there again afterward,
to meet an acquaintance, and-and-
did not 60 into the garden, nor take anything
away from It. would not steal, hardly to
save myself from starving"
You had better stuck to that last night.
You were seen, Tim Baker, to come from
under Mr.. Nichols garden fence q little after
o'clock, with . bag full of something or
other over your shoulders. The bag had
every appearance of being filed with fruit,
and this morning the melon beds were found
to have been completely cleared"
Like fire itself glowed the cheeks of the
detected lad. He spoke not q word All the
school had their eyes directed on him. The
pesspiration ran down his white forehead
like rain drops. M
"Speak, sirr' exclaimed Lugarc, with a
loud strike of his rattan on the desk.
The boy looked as though he would faint,
but the unmerciful teacher, confident of hav-
ing brought to light the criminal, snd exult-
ing in the idea Of severe chastisement he
should now be justified in inficting, kept
working himself up to still greater degree
of passion. In the meantime the child SEEM
ed hardly to know what to do with himself.
His tongue Glove to the roof Of his mouth
Either he was very much frightened or he
was actually unwell.
Speak, say r again thundered Lugare,
and his hand grasped his rattan, lowered
above his head in very significant manner.
II hardly can, sir" said the poor fellow
family. His voice was husky and thick
win tell you some-some other time
Please to let me 60 to my seat--I am not wei" !"
20, yes, that's very likely" and Mr.. Lu-
gare bulged out nose and cheeks with con-
tempt. Do you think to make me believe
your lies? I've found you out, sir, plainly
enough, and am satisfied that you are Is
precious villain as there is in the State.-
But l win postpone settling with you for an
hour; shall then call you up again, and il
you don't tell me the truth then, I'll give you
something that'n make you remember Mr.
Nichols melons for many month to come, !"
Glad enough Of the ungracious permission
and answering not ! sound, the child crept
trembling to his bench, He felt strangely,
dizzily Is If he was in dream than
in real lie, and laying his arms on the desk,
bowed down his face between them. The
pupils turned to their accustomed studies, Cor
4 during the reign Of I.iluare in the VILLAGE