The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-11-02
DEATH IN A SCHOOL-ROOM
THRILLING sKErcH FROM LIFE.


iier part Of the day were about half com
pleted. 1t was well understood that tai:
was the command for silence and at.en'
ton; and when these had been attained
the master spoke. He was a short, thick
act man, and his name was Lugare.
"Bo,s," -aii be, 81 have a complaint
entered. Last night some one OF you
we're stealing huit from Mr. Nichols gar
den. | rather think know the thief
i'm Baker, step out here sir"
The one to whom he spoke came for
ward. lie was light, fair-looking boy,
nbout fourteen, and his face had laugh
Ing, good humored expression, which even
the charge now preferred against him, and
The stern tone and threatening look of the
teacher had not dissipated. The couDte
nance Of the boy, however, was too un-
earthly fair for health it had, notwith-
standing its feshy, cheerful look, singu-
lar cast, as ifsome inward disease, and
that a fearful one, was seated within. As
the STRIPPING stood before the place of
Judgment-that place 50 often made the
scene Of heartess brut ality, Of timid limo
cence confused helpless childhood outraged
and gentle feelings crushed. Lugare look
ed upon him with f,own, which plainly
told he felt in no pleasant mood. Happily
worthier and more philosophical system
is proving to men that schools can be bet
ter governed than by lashes, and tears,
aud sighs. We are fast waxing towards
the consummation when one of the old
fashioned schoolmasters, with his COW hide
his heavy birch rod, and his many ingen-
erous methods Of child torture will be gaz-
ed upon as a sacred memento of an ignO-
rant, cruel, and exploded doctrine. May
propitious gales speed that glorious day
"Were you in Mr.. Nichols garden last
night" asked Mr.. Lugare.
"Yes, sir" answered the boy " | was" "
"WeI, sir | am glad to find you SO
ready with your confession. An so you
thought you could DO little robbing, and
enjoy yourself in a manner you ought 20
be ashamed to own, without being punish
ed, did you -
Il have not been robbing," repliel the
boy quickly. Ills face was sufused,
whether with resentment or fright it was
difficult to tell q didn't do anything
last night that am ashamed to own"
"No impudence" " exclaimed the teach
er passionaleiy, as he grasped long and
heavy rattan; give me none of your
snat speeches, or LII thrash you till you
beg like dog"
The youngsters face paIed little; his
lip quiyerel, but he did not speak.
And pray, sir" continued Lugare, a.
the outward signs Of wrath disappeared
from his features. what were you about
the eaIlen for, Perhaps YOU only re
ceired the plumber, anil had an aceomPice
to 4" tile most dangerous part OF the
Job :"
q went that way because It was on my
road home wasthere afterward to meet
an acquaintance; and-anl-but | did
not 90 into the garden, nor take anything
xway. would not steal hardly to save
myself from starving"
You bad better have stuck to that last
evening. You we're seen, Tim Baker, to
come from under Mr. Nichols garden
fence little after nire o'clock, with bag
full of something or other over your shout
der The bag had every appearance of
being filed with fruit, and this morning
the melon beds were found to have been
completely cleared, Now, sir, what was
there in that bag!
Like fire itself glowed the cheeks Of tie
detected lad He spoke not a word. All
the school had their eyes directed towards
him. The perespiration ran down his
white forehead like rain drops.
Speak, sir" exclaimed Lngare, with
loud stroke Of his rattan on the desk.
The boy looked as though he would
faint; bat the uumercful teacher, conf
dent of having brought to light a criminal
and exulting in the idea of the severe
chastisement he should now be justified in
iuhicting, kept working himself up to a
still greater degree Of passion. In the
meantime the child seemed hardly to
know Whit to DO with himself. His
tongue Glove to the roof of his mouth
Either he was very much frightened or he
was actually unwei.
"spe.k, say" again thunderei Lu-
gare and his hand grasped his rattan, and
lowered above his head in a very signiti-
cant manner.
Il hardly can, sir" said the poor fell
low, family Ills voice was husky and
thick, " | will tell YOU SOMEONE other
time. Please let me 90 to my seat am
not well"
40, yes. that's very likely" and Mr..
Lugare bulgel out his nose and cheeks
with contempt " Do YOU think to make
me believe your lies I've found you
out plain enough, sir, and | am satisfied
that you are as precious a villain a. there
is in this State But | viii postpone set
ting with you for an hour yet. shall
then call you up again, and if you don't
tell me the whole truth then, I'll give you
something that'Il make you remember Mr..
Nichols melons for many months TO
come Go TO your seat ~
Glad enough Of the uugracious permis-
sion, and answering not a sound the child
crept trembling TO his bench. He felt
strangely, dizlv-more rs if he was in
dream than in real lie, and laying his
arms on his desk, bowed down his face
between them.
The pupils turned to their accustomed
studies. for, during the reign Of Lugare in
the village school, they had been 50 used
TO scenes of violence and severe chastjse-