Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-09-19
Reginald's First School. Days.

One frosty morning in January, two deli
cate-lookine children were sitting before
blazing fire in long, low nursery, with oak
rafters running across the ceiling. Between
them lay a great shaggy dog.
"You will take care of Rover whilst am
away" said the boy.
Eyes, he shall go for walk with me
every day, and in the twilight will talk to
him about you," answered Alice; "you
might send messages to him in your letters"
she added
"Would you understand them, old fell
low 2" asked Reginald, lifting up the dogs
head and looking into his eyes.
The dog wistfully returned his masters
gaze, and gave him his paw.
al believe he understands" said Reginald,
throwing his arms around the dogs neck.
"Oh Rover, Rover, if could only take you
with me I"
at would not be so bad then" sighed
Alice.
at won't be really bad when get acc"s-
toned to it. just at first it may be strange,
| but shall be sure to like, at any rate, one
out of the forty boys. 1t is going out into
the world, and my father says it is well for
a boy to learn his level early. On the whole
| am glad / am going it is only the first
CHAPTER II.
1t was large room, with desks and
benches on either side, and an aisle, as Reg
inald called it, up the middle. 1t had four
large windows looking out on the play
ground and fireplace at each end, around
which some dozen or two of boys were clus-
tered. Reginald advanced toward the fire.
place at the lower end of the room, hoping
that some one might speak to him, and rid
him of the strange uncomfortable feeling
that crept over him; but none of the boys
spoke, though they regarded him critically,
as if measuring the sort of being he was
before committing themselves to any closer
acquaintance. So he sat down on bench,
halfway down the school-room, tried to look
unconscious, and half wished himself at
home again.
"Have any of you fellows got knife?
want to cut this piece of string" said tall
boy, addressing the group generally.
In moment Reginald had taken out his
new knife, and offered it to the speaker.
"Ah," said Thompson, the tall boy, ga
capital knife Much obliged; will borrow
it for the present and after using it, he
quietly put it into his pocket.
Some of the boys laughed. One of them
however, murmured, in an undertone, What
a great shame !"
, Reginad's color rose. He walked straight
up to Thompson, and said " Will you please
give me my knife again ?"
Thompson looked surprised.
"No, shall please to do nothing of tbs
kind You offered it, and | accepted it
An offers an offer"
0 al lent it to you to cut the string"
"You did not say So"
81 do not think it is Just of you to tax,
my knife in that way" said Reginald, thor
oughly aroused "and if you do not return i
at once | shall speak to DIR. Field about it.
"Oh," said Thompson, coolly, you're
0 sneak, are you :"
The boys, who had been gathering arounC
Reginald admiring his spirit in confront
ing the tall boy, now drew back, and tn
words "tell-tale I" /" blab !" "sneak !" wer
distinctly heard And Reginald found him
self standing Alone deserted by those VIII
% had drawn near in sympathy with him, TO
Thompson was the tyrant of the school.
Presently. when the boys had returned t
their places by the fire, and Reginald wa
apparently forgotten, merry-looking boy
year older than himself, sat down by hin
"No," said he, "you must not say any
10 thing to DIR. Field. You must let your knit
70 90, and learn wisdom for the future"
Reginald looked up.
"lt's mean and unfair" he said.
, "That may be; but the boys would say
was meaner still to complain. One has
put up with things of this sort at school,"
whats your name Z" asked Reginald
" suddenly, for there was something about tn
boy that he liked.
Barton. And yours Z"
:, "Reginald Murray"
"Murray's enough, without the other"
81 should like you to be my friend"
M Barton glanced at the large, dark eye
that were fixed upon him, and at the del
cate and somewhat mourhlul lace, ana LEI
attracted also
thnk snail IKE you ne returned
put must walt ana see no" you go on
think you've the right spirit; out you mus
DO take my ADVICE ABOUT the KNIFE WIN you
There was struggle III Reginald ihih'
II was very ha'u W give W VIC Aniio VIC
Alice had saved up her pocket-mohey TO Oh
1or MIN sui, Barton had oeeh at scho'
Tor some time, and Knew better than
what ought TO be done, so ne answered, "
90 WILL
But Barton was not prepared Tor ms MAJ
ner OF carrying out tne decision, 10 II
great surprise Reginald marched straigi
up to Thompson 81 shall not ne sal'
speak TO Dr. fleid ABOUT the khile' /.
unfair and unjust oil you TO lake IT, ana
!" sha'n,t be friends with you as long as yo