Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-06-29
things made but little interruption in the


tenor of their way.
Now, while the intervening hour is passing,
we will clear up this mystery of the bag, and
Of young Baker being under the garden fence
the preceding evening
The boys mother was q widow, and they
both had to live in the very narrowest limits.
His father had died when he was six wears
old, and little Tim was left sickly, emanci-
ated infant, whom no one expected to live
many months. To the surprise of all, how
ever, the poor child kept alive, and seemed
to recover his strength, as he certainly did
his size and good looks.
This was owing to the kind Offices of an
eminent physician, who had a country seat
in the neighborhood, and who had been in
tcrested in the widows little family. Tim,
the physician said, might outgrow his dis
ease, but everything was uncertain. 1t was
mysterious and battling malady, and it
would not be wonderful if he should, in some
moment Of apparent good health, be sudden
ly taken away. The poor widow was in
continual state of uneasiness, but several
years had now elapsed, and none of the i'm
pending evils had fallen on the boys head.
His mother seemed to feel confident that he
would live, and be shield and honor to her
old age. The two struggled on together,
mutually happy in each other, and enduring
much of poverty and discomfort, each for the
others sake. e.
Tins pleasant disposition made him many
friends in the village, among them young
farmer by the name Of Jones, who with his
elder brother, worked large farm in the
neighborhood on shares. Jones very fire.
qucntly made Tim present, Of bag Of po-
tatoes or corn or some garden vegetables,
which he took from his own stock but as
his partner was parsimonious, high tenn
pered man, and he had often remarked that
Tim was an idle fellow, and ought not to be
helped because he did not work, Jones gen
orally made his presents in such manner
that no one knew anything about them but
himself and the grateful objects of his kind
ness. ra.s F ...-r.s. ... b.
1t might be, too, that the widow was 10th
to have it understood by the neighbors that
she received food from any one for there is
always an excusable pride in people of her
condition which makes them shrink from
being considered as objects of charity; as
they would from the scverest pain
On the night in question, Tim had been
told that Jones would send him bag of 30
tatoes, and that the place of meeting should
be at Mr. Nichols garden fence. 1t was this
bag that Tim had been staggering under and
which had caused the unlucky boy to be ac-
cused and convicted by his teacher as thief
That teacher was one, little fitted for his
important and responsible Office. Hasty to
decide, and infexibly severe, he was the ter
ror of the little world he ruled so despotical-
ly. Punishment he seemed to delight in. -
Knowing little Of those sweet fountains which
in children's breasts open quickly at the call
of gentleness and kind words, he was feared
by all for his sternness and loved by none.-
would that he was an isolated instance in
his profession.
The hour of grace had drawn to close.
and the time approached at which Lugare
was to give his school a joyfully received dis
mission. Now and then one Of the scholars
would cast furtive glance at Tim, and some
times in pity, sometimes indifference or in
quiry. They knew that no mercy would be
shown him and though most Of them loved
him, whipping was too common there to ex-
cite much sympathy. Every inquiring glance
however, remained unsatisfied; for, at the
end of the hour Tim remained with his face
completely hidden, and his head bowed down
in his arms, precisely as he had leaned HIM
self when he first took his seat. Lugare look
ed at him occasionally with scowl, which
boded vcngence for his sulkincss. At length
the last class had been heard, and the last
lesson recited, and Lugare seated himself be-
hind his desk on the platform, with his long
est and stoutcst rattan before him.
"Now Baker, we'll settle that little bust
ness Of yours. Just step up here" 2&A
Tim did not move. The schoolroom was
as still as the grave. Not sound was heard,
except occasionally long drawn breath.
"Mind me, sir, or it will be worse for you
Step up here and take off your jacket"
The boy did not stir any more than if he
had been wood. Lugarc shook with passion
He sat still minute, as if considering the
best way to wreak his vengeance That min
ute passed in death-like silence, and was
fearful one to some of the children, for their
faces whtcned with fright: 1t seemed, as it
slowly dropped away, like the minutes which
precedes the climax of an exquisitely per-
formed tragedy, when some mighty master of
the historionic art is trcading the stage, and
you and the multitude around are waiting
with stretched nerves and suspended breath
in expectation Of the terrible catastrophe.
Tins asleep," at length said one Of the
boys who set near him.
Lugare at this intelligence, allowd his fea-
lures to relax from their expression Of saw
age anger with smile but that smile look
ed more malignant, if possible than its for
mer scowls. 1t might be that he felt amused
at the horror depicted on the faces Of those
about him, or it might be that he was gloat-
ing in pleasure on the way in which he in
tended to wake the poor little slumberer.
"Asleep, are you, my young gentleman"
said he; let us see if we can't find something
to tickle your eyes open. There is nothing
like making the best Of a bad case, boys
Tim Ne Is determined not to be worried in his
mind about little fogging, for the thought
Of it can't even keep the little scoundrel
awake"
Lugare smiled again Us he made the last
observation. He grasped the rattan firmly
and descended from his scat. With light and
stealthy steps crossed the room and stood by
the unlucky sleeper.
The boy was still unconscious of his i'm
pending punishment as ever. He might be
dreaming some golden dream Of youth and
pleasure; perhaps he was far away in the
world Of fancy, seeing scenes and feeling de-
light which cold reality never can bestow.
Lugare lifted his rattan high over his head,
and with the true and expert aim which he had
acquired by long practice, brought it down
on Tins back with force and whacking
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