Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-04-21
Stlttte0 Storp.
The TYRANT OF THE SCHOOL

IL happened that our district school was
kept one year by young Enslishman
named Stanley. He had some peculiar
opinions on the sahject OF the manage.
aeut ol boys. Whether no was right or
not, cannot say. l only narrate my
own experience.
Among the scholars was Ethan Bragg,
stout overgrown boy, who Was 4 terrible
Ounce in school and terrible tyrant out
of doors. For some cause. OF which
was ignorant. he took particular pleasure
in mallreaiing or annoying me. could
not come within his reach but he would
either knock my hat down rudely over
my face, or trip me up, or soil my clothes
with a kick from u shoe well charged
With mud
Whether it was that he saw my physical
inability 20 resis. him, or that he had a
grulge against me because | was always
above him in our class. do not know
was = full year hi- elder. which made
it the more mor,ifying to me 10 be obliged
to submit to his in treatment.
Oue day, when had been particularly
annoyed by his catching me and slapping
my lace, and then throwing my hat into
muddy by-lane, weeping and miserable,
when, rs turned to go home, met my
sister Mary.
why, what is the matter, PAUL. she
exclaimed, You have been crying"
Thus appealed to, l was obliged 10
make a confession Of my grief. When
had finished
We'll. my dear Paul, y said Mary. "you
must return good for evil. Twill tell You
what to do. Give Ethan your bag Of
marbles. do not believe he will hurt
YOU after that"
But, Mary" | replied, "iS there not
something cowardly and selfish in trying
TO buy peace in that way? would like
to return good for evil, but to DO il in a
way that should let Ethan know | DO not
DO it from fear think will talk with
Mr.. Stanley ON the subject"
Hardly were the words out OF my
mouth ere we met Mr.. Stanley approach
ing, tvirling big stick, as if TO keep hi:
hands in practice.
"What now, Paulm said he.
Mary answered his inquiry by telling
my story for me; and then asked him TO
interfere. and prevent any further annoy.
ances on the part Of Ethan Bragg.
Nonsense Paul is old enough to
protect himself"
"But he is not strong enough" said
Mary.
That is his FAULT" said The school.
master, and for that he deserves all the
punishment that Ethan iu1,cts.'
began to open my eyes and my cars,
too. What do you mean, sir:" | ex
claimed
i Imean, said the master. "lhat instead
of trying 10 iavisorate your body by
healthy ont OF. door exercise. YOU keep in
the house over the fire. conteuting your
.elf with indoor games, books and pic
lures. These are well enough in their
season, but in order TO be whole man,
properly developed, you must exercise
the body as well as the mind. Bragg is
coward like all bullies. He secs that
you are feeble physically, and so worries
and plaques you; and l hope he will
continue to do so till he cares you ofyour
immoral ne glect Of your bodily energies"
"lmmoral~
"Yes! There may be immortality in
neglect of the body rs well as of the
mind. Ii the fault were not your own
if you were lame or i'll, and Ethan were
lc tyranuize over you-I should take
great satisfaction in Furnishing him. But
as it is, you have only yourself to thank
for your suferings. Look you, Paul"
Mr.. Stanley finished the sentence in
tone that Mary did not hear, and then
turned on his heel and left US.
That afternoon, for the first time, l put
on pair of skates that my uncle had
given me, and passed couple OF hours
in practice with them on the ice. The
next day there was snow storm, and |
shoyeled paths all around the house
Wuhout neoleciino my lessons | Kept in /