The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-03-14
Confound 1t.

Bob Graham, of T, is one of the
heartiest. bravest, good natured fellows to
be found on this side of Jordan and is not
to be frightened before be is hurt, by any
means. But when Bob was boy, he was
one of the most sensitive, timid, shame
faced little shavers it was ever my bad luck
to make cry Bob and I were school
mates in 1885, and we logged along over
the crooked paths to knowledge at an even
gait; but then he was such trembling
creature that it used to make my juvenile
heart ache to see him stammering and
blushing to the top of his head when any
one spoke sterling to him. Bob's pretty
little sister. Constance, (she's a woman
now. bless herD went to the same school,
and "Con," as we used to call her, was
the pet of everybody. 1t was Con- here
and Con- there, wherever she went. Bob
and his sister were the special favorites of
the teacher, yet he crupulously avoided
showing anything like partiality, and some
times spoke so magisterially to poor Bob
that the modest fellows hair used to stand
up fairly.
But must tell you story about Bob.
He sat next to Com in the schoolroom
one day, when she touched some hard sub
stance with her feet, and stopping, picked
up an old fashioned silver pencil.
Let me see that, CON- whispered Bob
and added almost Immediately, why. Its
Mr.. Browns
| N foo
he chanced to glance toward Bob, just q:
Bob received the Pencil. Having los
said pencil very mysteriously he conclud
ed that Bob had taken the liberty to crib
it from his desk, and it was very harshl.
that be said:
Robert Graham, come up here.'
Unhappily, Bob could not have fel
, worse had he been detected in very act o
robbing hen roost, and his face fairl.
glowed, as he walked up to the throne o
the pedagogue.
Robert said Mr.. Brown, with awfu
solemnity, give me that pencil
f Bob laid it on the outstretched palm il
very sneaker manner, stammering as b
n did so:
'T-there it is, sir Con found it"
k Old Brown fairly staggered into tn
y chair, while his eyes assumed a size de
cidedly extensive.
'Wha.!' he exclaimed, catching hi
a breath.
d Bob's lip began to quiver, bat he man
n aged to say:
That's y-y-your pencil, sir-Con fou''
iH'
That was too much for the pedagogut
4 He raised the lid of his desk, rested it o
r his bald pate. and fumbled around anon
10 confscated tops, marbles and 6recracker
r until he found his rattan.
: .I'll teach you how to swear, my boy
:, he said savagely; lie over my knee. sir.
u Poor Bob broke down in earnest the
- :. md blubbered:
20 Ill didn't sir-please s-sir.'
" Don't tell lie,' thundered the maste
holding back for moment. What d
er you say about that pencil?'
IL only said Con found the pencil
I'D groaned the wretched Bob.
III ou luotdut, Sio Oho"h hou hAu
o. the collar and was pulling him over Il
ne stool of repentance. 1t was critical m
Q. ment; the merciless rattan was alreat
g. huttering in the air, like an extremely tn
le bird of prey, picking out good fat chic
h. en- before it swooped, when little Co
th stance sprang from her seat. crying:
1t please, Mr.. Brown, don't whip Bo
ms I found the pencil on the hoor.'
The light of truth flashed upon o
sh Browns mind in an instant. the rat
dropped to the floor, closely followed
he Bob. .=
nd You see I didn't lie-Com found I
he sobbed the poor boy, picking himself u
lis Go to your seat; III see you about
nd after school, said the discomftted me
I'M ter. But he didn't, and that was the ID
rs oft,