Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-11
NO. 1873.
Miseellameons.
CAROLL'S TEMPTATION.
BY K. ANNIE FROST.

The greatest pleasure and the greatest
pain of Carroll Fairwells life was going
to school-the greatest pleasure, because
he was fond of study, and his mother
worked hard to give him the time for it
and to clothe him decently; the greatest
pain, because the lad was crippled, and
the straight, well made boys ridiculed him
and taunted him with his crooked back,
the result of a fall in infancy.
No one in the large school of fifty schol-
ars was SO fond of the cruel amusement
OF exciting the rage of the poor hunch-
back by taunts and sneers as Weston
Hall, the leader of his class, the hand
soonest and smartest of all Mr.. Grey's
scholars. The studies that Carroll con-
quered by patient, laborious application,
Weston learned easily, and the two were
the best and first of the large number of
scholars.
Weston Hall was the son of a rich
man, had been petted and indulged from
his cradle, and was accustomed to have
his will law both at home and amongst
his schoolmates and it angered him TO
nave boy who was poor and crippled
keep so close to him in all his studies,
that he had to study faithfully to keep the
head of his class. He missed no occasion
to show his spiteful resentment to. Carroll,
taking unfair advantage of him whenever
it was possible, and leading the boys on
to many insults upon the lads affiiction
they would not have thought Of alone.
Matters were in this state when Mr.
Grey, three weeks before the close of the
summer term, announced two prizes for
the school-one for the best historical
composition, and one for the best Latin
verse. 1t was really race between Car
roll and Weston, as they were far ahead
OF the other scholars in all the studies
of the class.
Faithfully Carroll worked upon hisman-
u!scripts, copying, revising and improving
them in every hour of leisure; while Wes-
ton sneeringly told him he could toss off
better composition in two hours than he
could write in six weeks.
''lt is really between Weston Hall and
myself, mother" Carroll said, as he rolled
up his neatly written papers on the morn
ing OF examination. 1.-The other boys in
the class will all send in a composition,
but the prize will be between us two. If
lose, Weston will have new taunt to
throw at me; those on my detormity and
poor clothes are getting old. If l win, he
will find some new torments to show his
anger. Mother" he said earnestly, his
pale face flushing, 'If l were as strong
and tall as Weston Hall, would as soon
strike baby or girl as / would torment q
boy as helpless and feeble as am. He
knows | would be a mere child in his
grasp, and he delights in showing his
strength against my weakness.
s'Ihat is the cOWar1ioa Of fvr0 nf -
said Mrs. Fairwell gently. '.No truly
brave boy is ever cruel or tyrannical. But
are you not starting for school too early,
my son ?n
"All the compositions must be handed in
before nine, mother. Wish me success"
''With all my heart !"
There was time for leisurely walking
when Carroll started, but when nearly
and a group of other schoolboys waiting
at Mr.. Halls gate for him to pass. Sure
that they were planning some cruel sport,
he stepped back, and hiding behind
hedge. waited in his turn until the road
was clear. 1t was long time before the
boys wearied of standing there. and the
school bell clang the quarter before nine,
startling them all.
W Ni IL SliOtit, tIC NIiOiC SEOup
on, and when they were well ON their way
Carroll came from his hiding-place. 1t
was late for him for he could not walk fast
or run if he was late; but he hurried as
much as possible. Suddenly he saw in
his path small roll tied with ribbon. He
knew the bold, clear writing upon it as
soon as he saw it. 1t was Weston Halls
composite on rolled together. Evidently
he had dropped it from his school bag
in his haste.
Carols heart beat fast Probably Wes-
ton would not miss the roll until he was in
the school-room, and he would not by the
rules of the school, be allowed to leave the
room after he had once entered. If there
was no composition from Weston Hall,
Carroll was sure of both prizes. There
was no active wrong to be committed.
He need not steal the papers nor destroy
them. lie had only to walk past them not
touching them. 1t was strong tempta-
ton. For nearly three years Carroll had
been martyr to the tyranny OF the rich,
strong lad, and here was an opportunity
for a singing revenge lying directly in his
path. He stood irresolute, pale with the
struggle in his mind. Then, covering his
face, he whispered:
~ Lord, strengthen me. Let me re-
member Christ's words Love thine ene-
my; do good to them who despitefully use
you and persecute YOU
Then he stopped and took up the pa
perS. 1t wanted but five minutes of nine
when Carroll Fairwell entered the school
room. Mr. Gray was already in his seat,
with piles of neatly folded manuscript be-
fore him, and Weston Hall sat at his desk,
his face clouded and angry. Hanging up
his hat Carroll walked directly to Wes-
tons desk and put the roll he had found in
the road before him.
You must have dropped this on your
way" he said, quietly. II found it,"
"And you brought it to mer'
In his utter amazement, Weston raised
his voice, and Mr.. Gray looked up.
what is the trouble ?" he asked.
Trouble !" cried Weston, all that was
noble and generous in his heart urging
him to speak the truth, there is no trouble
sir. Carroll Fairwell has found the COM
positions | told you had lost, and has
brought them to me-"
Together the lads-the one tall, erect,
and strong, the other slight. dwarfed and
las aIx A. a. 4.