Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-11-15
THE TRUAN

" II Y a y
What's the matter with Nsddy Dram ?"
| said, as a noise outside drew me to the win.
dow, and | saw old Mrs Dram dragging her
grandson along the street. She looked angry
aud determined.
" He's played truant guess" answered
my little girl as she came to my side ." lie
played truant last week, and Mr. Jonas made
him stand on one foot ever so long a time.
And when he got tired aud put the other one
down, he switched him on the leg. Oh dear
| don't want to 60 this morning. wish
Neddy wouldn't play truant, nor be bad in
school He's such a nice boy, and | cant
bear to see him whipped. Mr. Jonas will cut
him drcadfully. l know he will, for he said
he'd take the skin off of him if ever he played
truant again"
Neddy was a nice boy, as my little girl
said He was bright and active, kind-hearted
and generous. | never saw him do mean
or selfish thing But he had free, rather
reckless spirit and will that was stubborn
ness itself when aroused. Kindness sohened
but anger hardened him.
Neddy's father and mother were both dead,
and the boy lived with his grandmother, who
was rather hard woman and believed more
in the power of force than in the power of
kindness
As soon as | understood the case put on
my bonnet hastily aud ran after Mrs. Dram
hoping to comeup with her before she reached
the school-room. | was few moments too
late for this, but in time to have word with
Mr.. Jonas, who stood at the door holding the
struggling boy firmly by the arm.
" want you to promise me one thing" l
said, laying my hand on the schoolmaster's.
| spoke in as quiet voice as | could assume,
but very seriously. My words and manner
threw Mr.. Jonas off of his guard. His hold
on the boy relaxed, and in the next instant
Neddy was beyond his reach and running Of
as fast as his feet would carry him.
After him :" cried the schoolmaster
greatly excited. After him, John vii.
kins ~
A large, coarse-lookiug boy started forward
and was about passing through the door, when
| put my hand on him, and pressing him back
said
" Wait a moment, John. Maybe, after
I've said a word to Mr.. Jonas, he'll not want
you to 60. Tell him to wait, Mr.. Jonas do
now, because want you"
softened my voice to a persuasive tone
and SO made my interference effectual. Th'
schoolmaster told John Wilkins to 20 back tC
his seat.
Mrs. Dram had started after her trouble
some grandson on the instant of his escape
and so | was left alone with the excited
teacher
"Now, don't be angry with me-" said l
A" nor tell me to 60 away and mind my owl
business. Two heads are sometimes bette
than one, and it's my opinion that if you anC
put our heads together we can save thi
poor boy from being ruined. There is a grea
deal of good in him, but as things go now In
afraid it will be lost. With natures likes his
love has reader will than fear His grand
mother doesn't know how to manage him
| Let US try to show her better way"
BY the time had said this the thought
Of Mr.. Jonas had become clearer and his an
ger against Neddy much abated. saw tbi
in his face.
Let the boy 90 now" | added. ATE
school come and see me, and we'll have Ion
talk over the matter. But promise me on
thing"
What is that ?" he asked
If old Mrs. Dram brings Ncddy back tc
day, don't punish him."
Very well. 1t shall be as you say" al
swered the schoolmaster.
That evening, Mr.. Jonas called to see me
He was better man, on the whole than h
was schoolmaster. Out of school he wa
kind and genial, but as teacher he was nc
always as wise and as patient as he should bt
Like Neddy's grandmother, he believed NOR
in the power of force than he did in the powe
of kindness. His rod was always in sigh
and too often in his hand. He ruled by fea
and not by love.
Did Neddy come back to school 2"
asked.
Mr. Jonas shook his head gravely.
"0h, mother" cried my little girl rush
ing into the room just at this moment, I" Nedd
Grams lost or run away !"
She stopped on seeing Mr.. Jonas her face
that had been little pale, flushed deeply an
her eyes had an angry flash. And it's a
indignation in her tiny voice as she turned o
the schoolmaster and looked at him steadily.
"My fault !" said the schoolmaster, in
startled voice.
:" Yes, sir. It's all your fault. If 20
hadn't made him stand on one leg until
was most tired to death, and switched hi
when he put the other down, and if you hadn
said you'd cut the skin off Of him, he wouldn
have run away"
nd - -
and buried her face, sobbing, in my lap.
Brave talk for my timid little girl, NJ
J Jonas" said, in an undertone, " but all tru
! I'm afraid"
"What is truo7" he asked, looking bewi
dered.
"All that Carrie had said. This way yo
have of hogging children does more harm tina
good. A man of your clear mind and kind
nature might surely find some better way I
govern your scholars"
Mr.. Jonas did not answer. There was
look of panied surprise on his face.
Run away, lost" he exclaimed, after
few moments, rising to his feet His mannC
had become suddenly agitated. "Poor boy
| must see about thisj" and he went OF
hastily.
When Neddy Dram, who was only te
years old, escaped from the schoolmaster, b
went directly home and hid himself in tn
garret behind some boxes and old furniture
Ho ran 50 much faster than his grandmothe
that she lost sight of him and did not see hin
20 into the house. So no search was mad
for him in the garrett. Like some poor hunt
ed animal that had gained place of safety
he crouched painting in his hiding place, en-
loving for time a sweet sense Of security
But Neddy could not long forget how smal
and weak and dependent he was. 1t was al
very well to hide away from bis grand
mother, but how was he to get anything +
eat
Run away" said voice that spoke in
aido af him hut no loud and clear that be al