The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-08-22
THE CALIFORNIAN.
4 Young Hero.

II was a warm summer afternoon lazy
breeze stole through the window Of little
hot district schoolhouse, lifting the white cur
,ains, and rus,ling the leaves of the copy
books that lay open on all the desks. lhr-
" or forty scholars, of all ages, were bending
over the writing. quiet and busy the voice
Of the master, as be passed about amongst
the writer's, was the only sound But though
SO silent, this little, light, hot school-room has
its heroes.
The bell rings for the writing to be lald by,
and now comes the last exercise OF the day,
the smelling. in which nearly all JOIN. Atthe
head Of the class is delicate little girl in a
blue dress, whose bright eyes and attentive
air show that she rizts her place and means
to keepit.
Presently word, which had passed all the
lower end Of the class, came to Eunice. The
word was privilege. PRIV, priv, prvi-
l-e-g-e, lege, privilege spelt Eurice. But the
teacher vexed with the mistakes of the other
end of the class, misunderstood, and passed
it. The little girl looked amazed, the bright
color came into her cheeks, and she listened
eagerly to the next person, who spelt 1t again
as she had done.
Right said the teacher; take your place.
:: spelt it it So whispered Eunlce, partly
to herself, the tears springirg to her eyes as
she passed down. But, too timld to speak
to the master, she remained in her place inly
determined soon to set up again. But her
trials were not yet over
Many expedien,s had been tried in the
school to keep out that arch enemy of all
,eachers-W Whisper. At length the following
plan was adopted The first whisperer was
TO be put upon the floor in front of the teach,
tr's desk. Here he acted as monitor; as
soon as he detected another, he took his seat
and the next offender kept sharp lookout to
find some one to take his place; for, at the
close Of the school, the scholar who had the
whsperer's place Was punished very severed
DIS the school phrase was, took turng !.
This plan appeared to operate very well ev-
cry one dreaded being found last on the floor
but though it secured an orderly school, ma,
nv Of the parents doubted its justice.
The boy who was on the floor when Eu
nice lost her place, was an unruly y, surly fell
low, who had smared for his faults often be-
fore; and as scool drew near its close, he be
gan to tremble. The instant Eunice's wits
pered complaint reached his ear, his face
frightened up; he was safe now, and wheI
the class was dismissed he said, 'Eunict
whispered, sir
Eunice rose, and in trembling voice rela
ted what she mad said but the teacher saw
no excuse in it, and she was called to take
the place of the ungenerous boy who had
told of her.
Books had been put away, and the waiting
school looked on in SorrOwtulness, as Eunlct
lef. her seat to take the dreaded punishment
She was ole Of the best scholars br ght
faithful, sweet tempered, and a general favo-
rite. Every one felt that it was un Just and
many angry glances were cast at the DO!
who was mean enough to get little girl pun.
ished. Overcome with shame and fear, she
stood by the side Of the desk, crying bitterly,
while the teacher was preparing to infict the
punishment.
At this moment Il tall boy stepped out of
his seat, and going to the desk, said:
Are you going to punish Eunice, sir p
Yes. never break my rules the teacher
answered.
we will not see her beaten, said the boy,
in an excited voice there is not a boy here
but that one, that would see her punished =
Beat me, sir, and keep your rule. if YOU must;
but don't touch this little girl"
The master paused. The school looked on
tearfully.
DO YOU mean to say you will take her
punishment !" asked the teacher.
Il do, sir, was the bold reply.
The sobbng little Sin, was sent to her seat
and, without finching. her friend stood and
received the punishment that was to have
fallen on her. The school was dismissed, land
the boys paid him in admiration and praise
for all he had suffered, while the grateful lit
tie girl blessed him from her heart for a no.
bic and generous boy, who had saved her
from the great shame and suffering -CMas.
tian Register.