Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-02-11
The Reasoning schoolmaster.

A REAL cHARAcTER.-Dy WILLIAM JERDAN.
The master of our school was an eccentric
pedagogue very learned as we thought, very
formal as we saw, very severe as we felt; and
among his eccentricities there was none more
laughable and execrablesthan his manner of in
Acting punishment. 1t was a maxim with
him that justice should not only be done, but
acknowledged and thus such scenes as the
following were of frequent occurrence.
Peddgogae. John Smith !?
John. Here, siri
Ped. Come from your here hither [John
nioves slosrly and reluctantly sip 10 The rostram.
John Smith, You have been guilty of throwing
stones, which ! forbade, John hangs his head
diseonsoldtely.1 John Smith, it is of no use
looking sorrowfully now, you should have
thought of sorrow before you committed the
offence Preaching dorm the cane You are
aware, John Smith, that those who do evil
must be punished and you, john must there
fore be punished. Is it not so?
John. Oh, sir, will never do it again.
Ped. Ihope you will not John; but as you
forget the prohibition when left to your unas-
sisted memory, the smart of the remembrance
now to be administered will be the more like
ly to prevent any relapse in future, Hold out
your hand. Whack.
John Oh, sir oh, SIR! will never do it
again
Ped. ! hope not hold out your hand again.
Hhack, and a screech from John. Now, John,
you begin to perceive theconsequences of diso-
bedicnce?
John Oh, yes, sir-enough, sir, enough,
sir
Ped By no means, John, You are some
$ hat convinced of your error, but not yet SEN
sble Of the justice of your punishment, and
the quantum due to you. Hold out your other
hand @hdck and scream
John Mercy, sir, will never Jla5Jeriag.]
Ped. 1t is all for your good, John hold out
your left hand again. Even-handed justice I!
Why don't you do as you're bid, sir, Ell? IA
slash across the shoulders.
John. Oh oh
Ped That's good boy Whack on the
hand again. That's good boy W6ack.]
Now, John, you feel thatit isall for your good
John Oh, no, sir-oh, no it is very bad,
sir, very sore.
PED, Dear me, John. Hold out again, sir
must convince you that it is justice and all
for your good. A rain Of stripes on hands and
back John Jeilo,eing all The echae1 You must
feel it is for your good, my boy
John. Oh, yes, sir-oh, yes-s-s-s.s 5.
Ped That's good lad you re right again.
John. 1t is all for my good sir it Is al for
my good.
PED. Indeed it is, my dear There lIdact,
whact.l Now thank me, John. Joha hest
tates-.Uhaek, ,ehact.]
John. All, ahl Thank you, sir;- thank
you very much. will never do it thank you,
sir. Oh, sir, tha-a-a-nks.
Ped That's dear good boy. Now you
may go to your place, and sit down and cry as
much as you WISH but without makinga noise.
And then you must learn your lesson. And,
John, you will not forget my orders again.
You will be grateful for the instruction have
bestowed upon you. You will feel that justice
is a great and certain principle. You will feel
it, John. You may see, also, how much your
companions may be benefited by your example.
Go and sit down; there's a good boy. John,
there are punishments in this school more dis
graceful and severe than that you have justun-
dergone
John, boring Yes, sir-thank yc, sir.
Bendey's .Mscd.