The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-11-08
is., Thursday, N Ovenber 3, 1860

the question. Still no answer. ] could
interpret that easy enough. Not a
scholar dared to tell tale of Frank
Eldrid re.
you may walk this way, Frank" I
seid.
As though marching to a military
drum, he came to the floor.
CT shall bear your impudence no
longer,'' began, " either you or must
be at the head Of this school if my arm
and ruler be as trusty as I think, shall
be mistress here
" You don't dare ferule me. my faith
er-"h he began.
'tLet your father come here, and |
will ferule him too, | said, interrupting
him.
"I'll tell him that he cried out.
"Do so, by all MEANS" I answered.
And so I threshed Frank Eldridge
soundly and smartly. till he begged for
mercy like a three year old baby, and
promised me as humbly as [ could
wish, to do better. There was a great
uproar in consequence Of it, both in
school and out But what made the
matter ludicrous in the extreme, was
the fact of my threatening to whip Dr.
Eldridge Handsome, idolized DR.. Ell
bridge, the awe of the whole town. was
noised about. AT last it reached the
Doctors ears, and, as | had feared, he
came just at the close of school, the
next afternoon, to remind me of my
threat.
" | have come for my whipping" he
said, in a low voice, as I answered his
loud rap at the door.
], do not know why, but tears sprang
to my eyes at this. 1t seemed unkind,
almost cruel. | was afraid he would
notice how | was moved, and so l turn
ed my head away, as [ answered:
9 am very busy now, can you come
in and wait %
'ttUntil after school, do you mean %
"Juso as you please; I have no time
to spare now; l suppose you have come
to undo my work Of yesterday"
"Not |, believe me-'
Walk in, if you lease" I said,
pleasantly and kindly, that the tears
were coming to my eyes again.
'Now my whipping Miss Lakin," he
said, after the last class was dismissed,
and we were alone together in the old
schoolhouse
!" Dir. Eldridge, how unkind and un>
just Of you,' said,
" Blu | insist upon it," he answered,
passing me my ruler.
How exceedingly foolish felt. How
wretchedly he teased me. But there
was no escaping from him, so said,
laughing and crying altogether:
"Giye me your hand ~
g The right, believe, is the one
claimed by ladies. But are you serious
shall | really give it to you ?'
es" | answered, coloring.
Taking the tips of his fingers in my
left hand, | gave him quick blow.
6 A kiss for blow" he said, raisingI
my hand to his lips, Strike away,
dear, | shall never weary"
So [ struck him again-once, twice,
thrice.
g See which hand will get blistered
first, yours or mine," he said in high
S' h"PPy yOu iudhe Iue, anu
how good | am getting"
land how bad l am growing, every
day" | cried, bursting into tears, and
dropping my head upon the desk.
-" Heaven forbid, Lizzie" he said ten
DERBY, the mockery going quite away
from his voice, " [ know that I have
worried and troubled you, but my heart
has been, and is, all right, my child
DO you remember what you said to me
long time ago, about marrying again !?
And do you know that in spite of rea>
son and prudence, (for you are young
and pure hearted yeD l hoped and
prayed that sometime yoa might be the
light and love Of my bad, darkened
home l love you, and that is all can
say in pleading my case"
And that was enough. That blessed
knowledge for moment expiated ali
my trouble in the turbulent schoolroom,
and all that | had known in life even.
Then you meant it, in small way,
when you asked me to give you nv
hand :" he said archly, as l held out
my hand to him.
And I said eyes" in one breath, and
no IN the next. Which was right !?