The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-06
KIM's LAST WHIPPING.

There was once q Wreccned llCtle I'M
painted school-house that stood in a sand:
winter, waiting for strong north WIND to
blow it over.
"Say, what will you sell that school
house for 7" asked a traveller OF q little
boy, who stood on one foot on fickety
doorstep.
For a bunch of matches" answered the
little boy as quick as thought.
The man laughed and rode on. The
.Sboy was Kimball Price, the rogue of the
town of Skoodsc, and the try patience of
all his teachers.
q He was a handsome lad, ten years old.
4 do not mean he was always ten but that
vas his age when Miss Pentecost whipped
him. and there ia where our story begins.
Now Miss Pentecost Taught the school
skhMt summer. She liked Kim-everybody
I'D him but that was no reason why he
build be allowed to tie girls together by
lis hair-they wore long braids in those
&mys-or fire paper-balls, eat choke-cher-
fSos, or stick pins in the benches to make
slp A scholars cry 20? when they were
xs2t saying their letters. Miss Pentecost
sever winked at their naughtiness; and az
8la3ppings were fashionable at that period,
si,o whipped kim Regularly three times a
Ra3k 1t was considered the most direct
waef reaching the conscience.
"a aat Kim never could remember a whip
more than day and a half, or at the
est three days, and Mise Pentacost
bn to grow discouraged. Must kim al
SiSs go on doing mischief, and negiecting
7essons-a boy who could learn so well
he chosef
She knew his mother,-a poor widow,
lth q large family of children,-and
EsA was cure Mrs. Price could not af-
ar1 to send Kim to school merely to play.
~ What can say or do to make an inn
4&esion on that child 2" Thought Miss
tecost one day, as she tied the strings
her gingham "log- cabin" under
'ns chin, and stepped out of the school
nzse.
Just then she caught these words, spoken
sSv kim with great energy and flourish
aTell you it's true, Bob Whiting, for
nasher said SO; and if mother says it's 80
6ta SO, and even if it amt 80 ?"
Miss Pentecost laughed all to herself, and
s8ssed on through the sandbank into the
tnsty road. When she had gone as far
ID the big willow, she paused a little and
laughed again.
az like to hear boy talk 80 about his
mother, even If it is nonsense. Kim is an
'affectionate little fellow and shouldn't
wonder If he is a pretty good son. Any
and see how it will work.
Next day was the time for one of Kim's
regular whippings. He had been more try
ing than usual, and Miss Pentecost sent
Bob Whiting out for remarkably strong
bicrh stick, which could express her feelings
better than the old one, which stood in the
corner. She spent some time in trimming
the new twig, tho abe was careful to leave
a few little knots on it, which would give
emphasis to the blows.
81 don't think 1 ever saw q better
birch stick" said she, looking at it admir-
Now, Kimball, you may take off your
Jacket"
He was 30 used to taking it off, that he
always kept half the buttons unfastened to
save time.
! Miss Pentecost gave him an unusually
bard whipping and after it he cried till he
could hardly see out of bis eyes. He
Thought that was enough, and it was what
She boys call aequare thing; but at night,
rs he was running out of the school house.
sFhistling, Miss Pentecost called him up to
her desk.
81" Well, Kimball, I've whipped you hard
So-day-very hard"
H Kim thought there was no doubt about
hAt.
/" Yes'm," responded he meekly.
e Look at this stick. Didn't 1 take pains
get good onef'
Yes'n," said Kim but he did not gaze
be stick az il he loved it.
Do you know, Kimball, it's very hard
to whip youP 1t lanes my arm,
aUAit hurts my feelings. Really I
cant Afford to do it day after day for moth
ing
kim looked up in surprise. This was a
new view of the matter.
You understand me, Ktmball 7 1 can't
ford to do it for nothing any more.
There is not another boy in the school I've
whipped so often as you; and this time
Unjust be paid foris. Don't you think that's
fair7 2"
n " Yes'm," said Kim, in intense amaze
eent, his eyes as black and shining as
Watermelon seeds.
Well, Kimball, think it's worth at
least twonty five cents; and don't want
you to come to school tomorrow without
Ringing me the money. Tell your mother
bout it, and tell her if you don't bring it,
shall have to send you home for it.
Good might, Kimball, and remember what
I say"
Il +" Yes'm."
"What did she do. to you this time Q"
asked Joe Fuller who had been waiting
outside.
80, go long now she didn't do any
khinR TO meW replied Kim eheepishlY,