Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-04-21
4 Story For Boys.

Aunt June, tell me a story. please: 1t
is so lonesome tonight the wind is blowing
gale"
"Nhy, Oscar mysteries have ALWAYS been
for little folks What can | tell "a vounr
gentleman fourteen years old, that will in
terest him 2"
"Oh fe Auutie never shall be too old for
stories. Tell me something that really hap
pened."
"Shall tell you about ono Of your Uncle
llerberts pranks when he was boy, going
to school in that little brown school house
you have seen, when you have visited at your
grandmother's 2"
"Oh, yes, tell me did Uncle Herbert ever
behave badly in school Perhaps that
is the reason he offered me % writing
desk if would he perfect in department this
term. \ fellow-fceling makes US woudrous
kind, You know. One two. three-rady !"
And Oscar threw himself on the rug at Aunt
June's feet in a listening attitude.
1T was a summer school," began Auntie,
and only one or two large boys attended.
The teacher was slender girl, only nineteen,
but so sunny and pleasant, that the scholars
all liked her, and She was getting along ia
mously with the school, when one morning,
as Herbert and q mate of his were ON their
way to school, they came across a snake in
the road, which they stopped and killed, boy
like; then picked it up to flourish at whoever
they might meet on their way. When they
got to the school house they were early and
Andrew Gilmore proposed TO Herbert that
they should sly the snake into the teachers
desk, just to see her hor, as he expressedit If
Herbert had stopped to think, he would not
have stopped to so mean an act, but he only
.rl.f . IL g.. al Al Il
glee they arranged the snake In the desk. so
it would look as though it was alive, and
then they hurried out Of the school room, al
ready feeling half ashamed of themselves, and
not enjoying their play as they usually did
Herbert said he was tempted to run away
from school that day, when the teacher pass
ed them with pleasant good morning
But lac did not dare to do that, so he filed in
with the rest of the scholars and took his seat
he teacher opened the desk, aud, instead
of the fun the boys expected TO see she sank
back in her chair aud tainted away, without
making a sound. Herbert said he was 50
frightened he could not move but one of the
girls had presence of mind enough to dash
some cold water in her face, and She soon re-
viyed. Some Of the boys carried the snake
ont doors, and although the teacher was pale
enough all the forenoon, she conducted the
school, and never alluded to the snake.
Herbert began to feel worse than ever, and
when the next day passed 10y and no allusion
was made to the subiect-although by the
way, the teacher glanced at hm-he knew
she was aware of his part in the transaction.
Herbert really dreaded to 90 home; he expect.
ed his father would know OF the offence, and
he was not disappointed, for he was sum
moned up stairs, and we never knew the
conversation; but Herbert went to the teach
er's boarding house and apologized to her for
his share in the mischief, which was very
humiliating to him, aud he folnd that An
drew Gilmore had been there on the same
errand. Then the teacher had them apollo
gize to the school for it, and before the bows
got through with it, they were pretty well
BUNDLED. Herbert SAYS, TO this day he feels
a sense OF humiliation when he thinks of that
day at school. That is one reason, Oscar,
why your Uncle tries SO hard to induce you
to be perfect in your department at school /;
he does not want you to have such q disgrace
full day to recall"
Now auntie, just spare your moral this
time can see it in your eyes. know |
am needless, and | suspect you heard me
plotting mischief with Bess, this morning. or
! shouldn't have got this story tonight"
Aunt june did not need anything more
from Oscar. She saw that he appreciated the
lesson, and She did not think they would be
troubled so much in future with his pranks
and devices to frighten them Just little so
they would jump or scream