Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-08-30
UNCLE sMILEY,s BOYS.

oNNAn OAAA1 .
"WHAr's the matter, Bobs" asked the
kind old gentleman, as my brother came
in, looking both angry and ashamed.
"Got whipped ct school, and l don't
like it," growled Bob, rubbing his right
hand, the palm Of which was still red and
dI'm sorry, but I guess you deserved II"
said uncle, soberly.
"Don't care IL did It's mean shame
ought not to be allowed" answered Bob,
Indignantly.
"Tdon't like it, either. and when kept
school never tried 1t but once"
"Tcll about that, uncle; like to hear
your stories," said Bob, Frightening up q
little.
swell, I was a young man, and I took
q country school to begin with. 1t was
winter time, and good many big boys
came. You know Pm mild man, natu-
rally. I was very mild, then, and the
boys thought they could do as they liked
with the new master.
II bore their tricks and disrespect as
long as l could, hoping to conquer by
kindness, but they didn't understand that
sort Of dicipline, and I coon found that
the order of the whole school would be
destroyed, II did not assert my authority
and subdue these fellows.
$50 made up my mind to punish the
worst boy of the set, rs an example to the
rest. I didn't like the tack, and put 1t of
as long as could; but this boy soon gave
me chance which could not pass by,
and whipped him.
ale was almost as large as myself, and
resisted stoutly, 50 we had regular tus-
sci for when I once began, ! was bent
on finishing the Job. / did finish it, and
the boy went home entirely subdued.
"The others appeared to be deeply i'm
pressed, and treated me with more respect
after conquering the biggest and worst
boy in school,
at seemed to have . good effect, but l
was not satisfied with myself felt
ashamed when recalled that scene, and
saw myself fighting with tho boy. II
wasn't digpifled, and, worse still, 1t wasn't
kind. Something must be wanting In me
II couldn't sway the lad by gentler
means, but had to set an example Of brute
force and unlovely anger.
"Wcll, I turned the matter over In my
mind, and resolved to try some other way
If was called upon TO punish any more
of my pupils.
"For some time they behaved very
well, and hoped there never would be
any need OF another scene. But one day
two of the middling sized boys behaved
very badly, SO badly that could not let 1t
pass, and decided TO try my new punish
ment.
$50 babe all the scholars put down
their books and listen To me. The two
unruly lads were called up, and looking
at them az kindly and sorrowfully a. /
felt, / said:
"Boys, I've tried to be patient with you,
tried to remind you OF the rules. and help
you TO keep them but you Uont be good,
and / can't let you disturb the whole
school, so must punish you. cant bear
TO whip you; II hurts mo more than II
does you, and I've thought It might help
you TO remember better II you feruled
me, instead Of my feruliDg you
There VAS dad silence ~ I paused,
then stir Of excitement oil through the
room. The girls looked half scared. half
indignant, for they all loved me and did
their best to be good. Most Of the boys
looked sober-all very much surprised,
and few rather amused.
"Bill, the other culprit, laughed, a. II
he thought It would be . good joke TO
W hip tine master. Charley, the younger,
q boy who was naughty from thOughtless-
ness. more than from love Of evil, looked
much distressed, and seemed covered with
shame at the idea.
"Handing the rule TO Bill, said, grave
", as held out my hand
"'Give me hslf.a-dozen strokes, and iii
pains you to do II to me % II does me 70
do 1t TO you, think you will try not TO
forget the rules again.
'sBill was q poor, neglected lad, who
had never had home care and love, and
60 was bad because he thought no one
cared what he did, He took the rule,
s'ruck three blows, and then paused sud-
denly and glanced round the room, a. Q
sob ives heard. Several girls were cry.
ing, and all the boys looked ashamed OF
him.
"'Go on said, and he hurriedly add.
ed three much lighter strokes, then drop.
ned the rule ~ II II burnt him, and thrust
both hands into his pockets, trying to
look uncOncerned.
"Now, Charley said, still kindly
and sorrowfuily.
"The poor little fellow locked from my
REDEEMED palm TO my face several times,
but couldn't do II, and throwing the rule
swsy from him, be caught my hand in
both Of hi1, saying, with the tears run
ming down HE cheeks:9 a. Va
"7Ohi Ar, cAn'thit youl Don't AK
me 70! deserve . whipping, and I'd
rsther have two than strike you once"
A0ood for.Charley, he was regular
trump" cried Bob, much excited.
Uncle smiled q his forgetiulness OF his
own tingling palm, and went on:
N,Well, that touched ~ Oh, Of course.
1t VS. lust what wanted; and Is did