The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-06-13

XIV i"s "htu We taht' hlph W 'it bah-
der, and ], being foremost, dispatched
him quicker than IL takes to tell IL, and
had just shouldered him, preparatory to
putting him beio'o suspicion, when the
widow herself unexpectedly appeared
upon the scene Then you ought 20 have
seen me throw that non est onser, and cut
dirt for the schoolhouse. followed by
all the boys, the old lady bringing
up the rear. We had just got a scolding
for being out 50 long. and had taken our
ssats, trying 10 look as unconcerned and
comfortable a. jealous lover, and sue
ceeding just about rs well, when the Ia
dy made her appearance, bringing with
her this time evidence sufficient to con-
vict somebody. But we comiorted our
selves with the reflection that we could
be true TO each other all would I've well.
Hope, that bright flower that blooms in
the darker hours Of life, which grows
brighter and more distinct as the dark
ness, cheered us though the tide ,Dus
against us.
The widow laid in complaints, recog-
nized every one Of US, but could not Sc
lect the one that had the goose; produced
the goose for evidence, and then plead ell
oquently in behalf Of herself and goose.
The master looked troubled. He evi-
IDENTIFY meant business IL he could get
hold Of the right one. The plaintiff and
prosecuting attorney specified the cul-
prits, and the Judge and jury (teacher)
called US out We all went as orderly
as possible. He began by asking each
one, individually. II he killed the goose,
each one answered in the negative, and
proved by all the rest that he testified
truly, until be came 10 me was at the
foot of the row; had listened feelingly
to his eloquent apostuphe to truth, TO
the beauty and purity Of manly honor,
as contrastcd with dishonor, lying and
the usual appendsges as he assured us Of
those whose lots are cast in hotter state
than ours. This lecture was delivered
10 each one, and all the while briny
drop would course down my cheek, for
fear some one would tell on me; but my
master gave them another Interpretation.
Turning to me aKd noticing my evident
repcntant look, he placed his hand upon
my head and spoke quite tenderly; "Ad'
am. my boy, believe you to be truth
ful, a good boy. have always found
you so and though you msy OCCASIONAL
". in the impulse Of the moment, be led
Oh from the path Of rectitude, yet when
YOU are made 10 think soberly, you will
turu from your error and ever after guard
against it," How my heart bounded at
his words, but he continued, "Now, Ad-
dam, rm going to ask you question, a
hard one, perhaps, but the only safe way
out Of difficulty, Adam, is along the path
Of honor, and o, you surely would not
add deception 10 crime" ! was visably
affected. "Now, Adam, did-you-kill
-that-old -lady's-goosef "No, sir!
rang out full and free upon the evening
air. The teacher wassomewhat startled,
but said feelingly, II believe you, sir.
lie told US he would study on the mat
ter until afternoon recess, and dismissed
us. We knew perfectly well how he
would attempt to work us that evening.
and we prepared ourselves accordingly.
Immediately after books were resumed,
we were again called upon the floor. The
teacher told us that in the interim he had
discovered the guilty party, and that he
was going to whip him at once, looking
US all In the eye at the same time as near
as possible, he raised his switch, as il 70
strike; but ,cc had seen that trick before
and knew woe to him that lodged, and
we stood firm as young Gibralters. ]
could almost have pitied the look of dis
appointment and defeat upon the poor
teachers face, but knew he was trying
TO deceive us, and what was fair for him
was fair for us. Teachers commit great
blunder by attempting to deceive pupils
in order TO extort confession. II begets
dislike, distrust, and destroys all the
moral % force Of the teacher. The
teacher concluded TO try once more.
Again the threat was repeated, and this
time quick as lightning rose that potent
incentive TO study and ''ye rule of de
pertinent Of ye olden time"-the hych--
Just as il had reached lis ultimat,im, some
one put about three quarters Of cambric
needle between my shoulders-I duckedl
aud down like hail ratified the cruel, hard
blows upon my poor devsted-ahem ! ]
had no time for explanations, and after
il was over, dared not tell the teacher
Of his error, for he never would suffer
his labors criticized. So, sadly and sor'
rOwfully bore the drubbing, and the
winks and mods, jeers and smirks Of my
more fortunate companions in guilt
knew who had stuck me, but did not be
tray the fact. Silently and sorrOwfully
l mediiatsd revenge. At last happy
idea struck me, and in about week AZ
ter all had forgotten this event in remem'
herring Others more closely connected
with self, | found a chance 10 unfold my
plan and get assistance. One day al ihs
boys in my spelling class had got pun
ished in some way but Charlie B.. thu
hox xho causad me- lhat awful WHINING