Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-08-26

my, out of The cloud OF dust he was
raising.
"Pleasc don't Tommy" said pleasant
voice very near him. "You'll put my
eyes out. Whewl"
81 don't care" muItered Tommy under
his breath, rs she passed by.
80. Miss Smith shouted the inevitable
"tcll tale" Tommy Saunders says he
don't care. "lIe don't care if he docs pu,
your eyes out"
Miss smith made no reply-she only
smiled but when the scholars had taken
their seats. and she looked down from her
platform upon her cross little pupil, who
was regarding her with most unpro.
pitiatory lrown. her face became very
sober.
Poor little Tommy !" she thought, che
hasn't been good boy since took away
his marbles. am afraid he III never Tor.
give me- and then the spelling lesson
was ready, and she forgot all about him
for while.
Blu, tight in the middle OF the word
dangerous" which Tommy's eyes cer-
tainIy were at that moment, loud
rattling noise was heard.
Children" said the teacher, "you
must learn TO take care OF your marbles.
The boy who owns those may bring them
here"
But no one rose. She looked incredu
Ious, then displeased. Tor she had thought
her pupils were honest. At last Mike
Mclntire, pale Irish boy from over the
sea. raised his hand
"lt you plaze, Miss said he. Twas
no marbles We heard. There are u small
boy beyant, where the mems buildin', an
he loads his bit Of u cart wild pebbles, and
turns 'em out under the windy jisl. It's
him ye heard. Miss"
She was relieved, and the lesson was
progressing, when, happening to look in
The direction OF Tommy's corner. she saw
him whispering TO his next neighbor,
glancing ut her at the same time with a
countcnanco expressive of such unmiti.
gated wrath and indignation that she was
fairly startled.
a. she spoke TO him. the lilllc lace be.
tt,.. sullnu ,,tn,nst Ioliar,
90 Tommy" she said sorrowlully,
you know how to be good. but you're so
naughty! What shall do with you ?"
That was II question. however, upon
which the cUprit seemed disposed to
throw no light.
81 think must send you home." said
She, very seriously.
The rosy checks flushed more deeply.
The ''stich 'lhout any whip lash" was bad
enough. but 10 be sent home in disgrace
was ineomparably worse.
"iet your hat. Tommy"
But Funny didn't move, and. in the
awful pause which followed. the teacher.
though hardly knowing why she did so.
inquired, What did he Say TO you.
Johnny Reed?"
"lle said.' answered Johnny. glibly,
that you took away his marbles when
he wasn't play ing with 'em at all lie
said he WAS a-studying his lesson. as
hard as aigthmg when you took EN-
away. lie said You was IN ugly old
thing, and he hoped
That will do, Johnny" said she. be.
coming suddenly enlightened. Come
TO me, Tommy"
The little fellow came very slowly,
looking almost frightened, though in
Iinitely relieved that Johnny had not been
allowed to finish his sentence.
Bat, to his surprise, the teacher took
both his small hands in hers. "Look at
me, Tommy" said she. very quietly,
land tell me all about it,"
But Tommy couldn't say word
"Were you really studying when |
took away your marbles ~
lie nodded.
"And that is what made you SO naughty
all this time?"
He hung his head.
"Why didn't you tell me ?'
"'Cuusc didn't want TO, ialtcred the
inconsistent Tommy.
Poor little boy" she said to herself.
alt was cruel wrong. and he shall have
redress-yes. this very moment. don't
suppose it would ever have occurred to
him that the mistake could be rectiiied.
he would have scowled it out until the
bitter end if it hadu't been for Mark.
Poor baby !"
Meanwhile The baby q hardly dare call
him so, lest he happen to read this story
stood with his eyes fixed upon the floor.
1t was an old, worn floor. full OF cracks,
but Tommy did not see them.
The teacher took the bag of marbles
from her desk. Children" said she 81
find that have been very unjust to Tom.
my Sanders. thought he was naughty
when he was good Now am going 10
give his marbles back to him again.
Here they are, Tommy. I'm sorry |
kept them 50 long. Won't you forgive
me?'
lie grasped his treasure with one chub-
by hand; the other he suddenly drew
across his eyes; then he stood like
statue, motionlcss and speechless. The