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

A THRILLING sKE9Cn FROM LIFE.

ling a-lhg! went the Dell on the
teachers desk ia village school-rooiA,
one morning, when the studies of the
earlier part Of the day were about half
1t was we'll understood that
this was the command for silence and
attention and when these had been OBJ
tanned, the master spoke. lie was
low, thick-set man and his name WAS
Lugare.
Boys" said he, 81 have complaint
entered. Last night some Of you we're
stealing fruit from Mr.. Nichols garden.
l rather think ! know the thief. Tim
Baker, step out here, SIR"
The one to whom he spoke came for
ward. lie was slight, fair-looking boy,
about fourteen, and his face had alaugh-
ing, goodhumored expression, which
even the charge now preferred against
him, aud the stern tone and threatening
look OF the teacher had not entirely dis
s:patcd. The countcnancc Of the boy,
however, was too mccarthy fair for
health it had, notwithstanding its heshy,
cheerful look, singular cast, as if some
inward disease, and that fearful one,
was seated within. As the stripping
stood before the place of judgment, that
place SO often made the scene of heart
less and course brutality, Of timid inno-
cencc confused, helpless childhood out
ragged, and gentle feelings crushed, Lu-
care looked on him with frown, which
plainly told that he felt in no very
pleasant mood. Happily worther and
more philosophical system is proving to
men that schools can be better governed
than by lashes, aud tears, aud signs.
We are fast waxing towards that con-
summation when one OF the old school
masters, with his cow-hide, his heavy
birch-rod, and his many ingenious meth
DDS of child torture, will be gazed upon
as sacred memento Of an ignorant,
cruel, and exploded doctrine. Many
propitous gales speed that day!
"Were you in Mr.. Nichols garden
last night!' asked Lugare.
ayes, sir" answered the boy, 81 was. ("
"Well, sir, I'm glad to find you so
ready with your confession. Aud SO
you thought you could do little rob-
bing, and enjoy yourself in a manner
you ought to be ashamed to own, with
out being punished, did you!"
81 have not been robbing," replied
the boy, quickly. His face was sutfused ,
whether with resentment or fright it
was difficult to tell "and / didn't do
anything last night am ashamed to
own"
"No impudencc.'' exclaimed the
teacher, passiouately, as he grasped a
long aud heavy rattan; "give me none
of your smart speeches, or I'll thrash
you ill you beg hike dog"
The youngsters face paled little, his
lip quivcrcd, 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 re-
ceived the plumber, and had an accom-
plicc to do the most dangerous part OF
the job?"
81 then went that way because it is
on my road home. was there again
aftcrward, to meet an acquaintance, and
-and-but l did not 60 into the gar
den, nor take any thing away from it.
would not steal, hardly to save myself
from starving"
"You had better have stuck to that
last evening. You were seen, Tim Ba-
ker, to come from under Mr.. Nichols
E~A1 SnlD
with bag full of something or other
over your shoulders. The bag had ev-
cry appearance of being filed with fruit,
and this morning the melon beds are
found to have been completely cleared.
Now, sir, what was there in that bag?'
Like fire itself glowed the cheeks OF
the detected lad. He spoke not word.
All the school had their eyesl directed
to him. The perspiration rain down his
white forehead like rain-drops.
"Speak, sir !" exclaimed Lugare, with
loud strike of his rattan on the desk.
The boy looked as though he would
faint, bet the unmerciful teacher, conf
dent of having brought to light GRIM
inal, and exulting in the idea of the se-
we're chastsement he should now be
justified in indicting, kept working him
sef up to still greater degree Of pas
sion. In the meantime the child seemed
hardly to know what to do with himself
His tongue clave to the roof of his mouh.
Either he was very much frightened, or
he was actually unwel.
Speak, | say!" again Numbered Lu
gare, and his hand grasping his rattan,
lowered above his head 10 very signifi-
cent manner.
II hardly can, sir" said the poor fel-
low family. His voice was husky and
thick. II will tell yon some-some 9TH
er time. Please to let me 60 to my
seat am not well.
90. yes, that's very likely" and Mr..
Lugare bulgcd ont his nose and cheeks
with contempt. "Do you think to make
me believe yonr lies! I've found you
out, sir, plainly enough, and am salts
fled that you are as precious villain as
there is in the State. But l will post
pone settling with you for an hour. l
shall then call you up again, and If you
don't tell me the truth then, will give
you something that'll make you remem-
Der Mr.. Nichols melons for many a
month to come. Go to your seat"
Glad enough Of the sngracious pcr.
mission, and answering not sound, the
child crept trembling to his bench. He
felt strangely, dizzily-more as If he