Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-03-03


ter, waiting for strong wind to blow 1t
over.
"Say, what will you sell that school
house forP" asked traveller of little boy, |
who stood on one foot on the ricketty door
step.
"For bunch of Matches" answered the
little boy, quick as thought.
The man laughed, and rode on. The boy
was Kimbal Price, the rogue of the town
of Skoodac, district number three, and the
try-patience of all his teachers. lie was
handsome lad, ten years old. don't mean
that lie was always ten but that was his age
when Miss Pentecost whipped him, and
that is where our story begins.
Now Miss Pentecost taught the school
that summer at district number three. She
liked Kim-everybody liked him-but that
was no reason why he should be allowed 10
tic the girls by the hair-they wore long
braids in those days-or fire paper balls, or
eat choke. cherries, or stick pins IN the
benches, TO make the A b q scholars cry
~ when they were not saying their let
tiers. Miss Penlecost never winked at
naughtiness and as whippngs were fash
ionable at that period, she whipped Kim
regularly three times week. 1t was con-
sidered the most direct way Of reaching the
conscience.
But Kim never could remember whip
ping more than day and a half, or at the
longest, three days; and Miss Pentecost
began to grow discouraged. Must Kim al
ways 60 on doing mischief and neglecting
his lessons-a boy who could learn so well
if he chosen
She knew his mother-a poor widow,
with a large family of children-and she
was sure Mrs. Price could not afford 10 send
Kim to school merely 10 play.
"What can do or say 10 make an I'M
preston on that child ?" thought Miss PEN
tecost, ono day, as she tied the strings other
bingham "log-cabin" under her chin, and
stepped out of the school house.
Just then she caught these words, spok-
en- by Kim with great energy and -four
ish of fists:
"Tell you it's true, Bob Whiting; for
mother says so; and If mother says it's so,
it's so, if it amt soP
Miss Pentecost laughed all 10 herself, and
passed on through the sand-bank into the
dusty road. When he had gone as far as
tho big willow, she pauseda little and
laughed again.
81 like to hear boy talk about his moth
er, even if if it is nonsense. Kim is an af-
fectionate little fellow, and 1 shouldn't
wonder if he is a pretty good sen. Any
way, I've got an idea, and 1 mean TO try it
and see how it works."
Next day was the time for one of Kim's
Ill l.o1 Ne,,-
ing than usual, and Miss Pentecost sent
Bob Whiting out for remarkably strong
birch stick, which could express her feel
ing better than the old one which stood in
the corner. She spent much time in trim
ming the new twig, though she was care
full to leave a few little knots on it, which
give emphasis to the blows.
az don't think ever saw better birch
stick" said she looking at it admiripgly.
"Now Kimball you may take off your
jacket"
He was so used 10 taking it off, that he
always kept half the buttons uniastened, to
save time.
Miss Pentecost gave him an unusual hard
whipping; and atter it he cried till he could
hardly see out Of his eyes. He thought
that was enough, and it was what the boys
call "a square thing;" but at night, as he
was running out of the school house, whist
ling, Miss Pentccost called him up TO her
desk.
"We!l, Kimball, I've whipped you hard
to-day-very hard"
Kim thought there was no doubt about
that.
"Yes'm," responded lie, meekly.
Look at this stick. Didn't 1 take pains
10 get a good oneT
"Yes'm," said Kim; but he did not gaze
at the stick as If he loved it.
"Do you know, Kimball, IT'S very hard
work to whip your 1t lanes my arm and
it hurts my feelings. Really, 1 can't afford
10 do it, day after day, for nothing"
Kim looked up in surprise. This was a
new view of the matter.
"You understand me Kimball? l can't
afford 10 do it for nothing any more. There
is not another boy in school I've whipped
SO often as you and this time must be
paid for it. Don't you think that's iair?"
"Yes'm," said Kim in intense amaze
ment, his eyes as black and shining as wa
termelon seeds.
"Well, Kimball think IFS worth TWEEN
ty-five cents and don't want you 10 come
TO school tomorrow without bringing me
the money. Tell your mother about it, and
tell her if you don't bring it, shall have
10 send you home for it. Goodnight, KIM
ball, and remember what say"
"Yes'm."
"What did she do 10 you this time p
Enl! ln baI M
outside.
40, 60 long, now she didn't do any
thing TO me-" replied Kim, sheepishly
"Come, let's run down to the pond, ant
catch bloodsuckers."
Next morning, about school-tinle, Kin
stole along into the shed kitchen, and huni
about the cheese-tub, where his mothe
was cutting curd.
"Why don't you start for SCHOOL, You'll
be late my son."
"The mistress whipped me yesterday,
muttered Kim, helping himself TO lum
Ofcurd.
"Did sheS Well, Pve no doubt you de
served it. There, run along, aud see if yo
can't be better boy to-day"
"But, mother"
swell, whatH"
"Why, you see, the mistress"
swell, speak 1t out, sonny. Pm in
hurry"
"Why, you see, mother, tic mistres
wants twenty five cents for whipping me.
twenty-five cents?"
"She says it famed her arm" said Kin
hanging his head. "She says she can't d