Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-03-04


Tom Bcnt'S Revenge.
Tom Bent, Of Wentworth Academy, was
a tall, muscular fellow Of fifteen, whom the
little boys all feared, and the big boys all
hated Despite his unpbpularity, however,
he succeeded in browbeating the whole
school, and acted toward bis companions
very much as his i'll nature inclined him.
After every tusslc, he grew more and more
insolent and domineering, until at last, the
younger boys used to separate, and dispense
in every direction if be were seen coming
toward them.
Oue little chap named Beunie Clapp,
seemed to be the particular object Of Tom 5
spite and malice Bonnie was a delicate,
sweet.tempercd lad, about eleven years old,
who had never been known to do mean
or unkind thing since he entered the school.
1t was all the stranger, therefore, that Tom
Bent should take so much trouble to plague
and annoy him.
There seemed absolutely no reason for
Toms ugliness to Bonnie, except that Ben
ME was always especially good to him.
Whenever Tom did any particularly mean
thing, Bonnie would say to his friends;
81 don't think it's all Toms fault that
he is so wicked. Half the time, | don't
believe he knows how bad he is. You see he
hasn't any father or mother to tell him
what's right and wrong and they say the
uncle he lives with treats him awfully."
4" lie is great deal bigger and older
than we are" Charlie Dean would reply ;
and he ought to know better"
That's nothing" Bonnie would add.
81 know lots Of men that's bigger and older
than my father, and they don't know half
so much as be does"
So, with sweet spirit Of charity, Bonnie
would forgive Tom for all his tricks.
BY and by the autumn slipped away, and
the boys began to get out their scates, grease
and sharpen them, look at the condition of
their sleds, and generally prepare for cold
weather. The schoolhouse stood on knoll
close beside a small winding stream The
water was deep only in certain places, which
the boys were well acquainted with, and the
tiny river afforded them much amusement
as place to battle and swim in in summer,
and fine field of smooth, glare ice to skate
on in winter.
OF all the lads, there was no one who
enjoyed skating aud coasting 80 much as
Bonnie Clapp. From the first morning
when he discovered the water just glazed
by the frost, he tried the strength aud thick
ness Of the ice every day, until it was safe
TO test it upon runners Small aud Sigh
as he was, he was the best skater 10 thu
school and was envied for his accomplish
ments by his companions. He was skille,
in letter-cutting, fgure-drawing, aud all sort
Of fancy devices and was perfect adep
in outer edge" and the Dutch roll.
lie would stand on the point of one skate
and describe with the other a circle tie
times as perfect as any he could draw
the school with the aid Of compasses an
pencil. He was perfectly ready to teaC
any one all his tricks on runners, but not
of the boys could ever learn enough to riv
him.
" 1t seems Just as il Beunies feet we
hands, Charlie Dean used to say disco
solately, after some failure Of his own
make ring or cut an s !; 3" they always
just where he wants EN- to- and new
sprawl about and trip him up as other e
lows feet do"
Bennie's proficiency on the ice was one
Tom Bent's chief grievances. BY pract
ing in private, aud performing in publ
Tom tried to Guido Bonnie but he ne,
succeeded. One or two of Bennie's IN,
fantastic and graceful feats, Tom, who "
much heavier and elumser, could never
proach. He was always Boosting that
could teach Bennie Clapp thing or two
skates but nobody had ever seen him
or attempt to do anything which BEN
could not accomplish much better.
nobody took any notice Of his boasts q
threats, and this Indifference only irritat
him the more against Bonnie
One day, at the afternoon recess, b
ME discovered lying on the ground near
riyer-bank, good, strong strap with no
aud buckle-just such a one, indeed,
he had been wanting for long time to {
ten round his skates when he had to cal
them in his hand lie picked it up, O
ran about among the boys trying to find
owner. Nobody claimed it, OF knew
whom it belonged so Bonnie concluded
keep it until inquiries were made for
lie put his skates together buckled
strap round them thought how nice
would be to carry them that way, and III
at the sound Of the bell, went back to
lessons.
Where's my skate-sirap2 ?" shouted I
Bent after school was out, iumbing amC
the books in his desk.
At first there was no answer for mi
Of the boys, including Bonnie, had aires
gone out into the yard, and the others W
too busy about their own affairs to obse
Tom. lie scowled, picked up his boo
and snatching his cap from the hook, rusl
out among the scholars gathered around
stone steps.
"oh IFS you, is it, Clapp, whO'vc sto
my strap" cried Tom, seiziug poor b
ME by the collar, and lifting him with
shake several inches from the ground
might have known who it was if
only thought minute"
Bennie's face flushed, for he deeply
scented the imputation of having taken sol
thing that did not belong to him. WI
be got breath enough to speak, he said
81 didn't steal your strap at all,
Bent. picked it up in the yard at rec
Nobody knew whose it was, so | kept
TIL ! should fnd the owner. die
think 1t was any harm to put it round
skates but I'm very glad to give il bu
Tom, now know whom ii belongs TO-"
"And Bonnie, winding the uufortuu
piece Of leather into a coil, handed il
Tom, who stood over him like the brute
tyrant that he was.
IN be reyepged on you. that's a
cried Tom, as be walked off down the r,
"l'll skate home now, | guess"
Bonnie, beginning TO ft his runners TO
boots.
"All right" added Charlie Dea,
60 as far as can with you"