Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-10-21

pleased her, and she would have behaved her
self in lady-like way, but for popular opinion.
But alas! ''the girls" had resolved not to
give in to any young man teacher.
They were proud of their horrible conduct,
and when she had endeavored to do well, had
taunted her with being cowardy.
Violet could not yield to her better impulses
dared not.
And then she knew very well that the young
man admired her, and under such circumstanc-
es, it became sort of triumph to-hold out.
'.He'll think I've taken fancy to him if
give in, said she.
And in the queerest spirit of defiance she
fairly led the riot from that moment.
Henry Mum found this very hard to bear;
but he had no intention of giving in.
One by one he conquered the girls
The small ones he switched on their palms.
HIS a last resort, the elder ones were con-
signed -dinnerless-to long lessons, or had
private lectures, which shamed them into de-
cency.
Of course he could not switch Violet.
She was young woman.
Nor did lectures Rave any effect on her what
ever.
She giggled and pouted, and played some
trick on him ten minutes after.
At last, one day her outrageous sauciness be-
came more than he could bear, and he decided
to endure it no longer.
He waited until she was quiet for a moment
she was drawing caricature of him-and
arose at his desk.
'.Miss Violet Raynor," he said.
'Here she is" said Violet. "Where are
your eyes?"
':Miss Violet Raynor," repeated Mr.. Mum,
81 have come to a conclusion concerning you. :"
'.Ah," said Violet, sis it possible?"
'You are demoralizing the school, Miss
Raynor," said Henry, ''setting a bad, an un-
lady-lke example to everyone Lere. When
such scholars are found in the part l came from
it is customary to expel them. Therefore L
now expel you. Take your hat and books,
and leave this room, and never enter it again
while l am teacher"
Violet Rayror stared at him in amazement;
then laughed.
'I'll go when I'm ready, Mr.. Mum, and
come back when please" she said 81 sup
pose you forget who l am-that l am Colonel
Raynors daughter and that no schoolmaster
can turn me out of school.
Mr.. Mum arose, went to the wardrobe and
took down the coquettish hat and sacque and
parasol, carefully deposited the books in the
neat strap, and handed them to her.
'.Put your things on, Miss Raynor,' he sad
''and allow me to open the door for you, unless
indeed, you prefer to apologize and behave
henceforth in a manner that shall not disgrace
the school and yourself"
apologize, said Violet, who began to
tremble, rejecting on the questions that would
be asked at home. 81 certainly shall do no
such thing You'll apologize to me before
long"
Then she put on her hat and walked slowly
to the door.
The whole school followed her with its many
eyes, and she was conscious of signal defeat.
What could she do, she asked herself, to
turn the table on this conqueror others, and at
least set the school laughing at him before she
opened the door?
She had not much chance.
She was very near it, and there was he, po-
lite and calm as possible, with his hand on the
latch.
Her black eyes danced about her.
Near her was shelf.
On the shelf stood what Violet supposed to
be an ink bottle.
To toss the contents in the teachers face was
not very elegant piece of revenge, but it
would make him look funny and cause a
shout.
She caught it in her hands.
'Ill set you copy before go, as well as a
bad example, girls" she cried; and then the
contents were dashed in the teachers face.
Alas.
The result was not laugh-it was a scream
of terror as the young man rolled in horrible
agony upon the floor.
Mr.. Mum taught class of chemistry in the
school-room on Saturday afternoons, and this
shelf was devoted to the articles needful for
the study.
1t was a bottle of some terrible acid which
Violet Raynor had taken in her hand, and she
had flung it full into poor Henry Munn's blue
eyes.
She was beside him on her knees now, cry
ing and praying, and vowing her ignorance OF
the contents of the jar; and he amidst his agony,
found voice to assure her that he believed her,
before he lost all consciousness.
Eight weeks after this, a young man lay up
on the pillows of the spare room in Col Ray
nors house.
I He was thin and worn, and there was an in
delible scar on his forehead, and one of his
blue eyes was closed forever; but matters were
better than had been hoped for long time,
for he had been expected to be utterly blind.
Beside him sat young girl. ."
1t was Violst Raynor.
She was also little worn, and her whole
manner seemed altered.
| She had been reading to him.
Now, In the twilight, she put the book down