The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-02-07
4 COLLEGE Glazing"
youths cOmpaniOn.I

IN the Town OF GOSpOTU-uTeary OubSlu6,
With the rain pouring and the wind
blowing, and not particularly cheerful
in the school-room of the select estab-
hshment of Dr.-Palmer, though there
was good fire in the stove, which the
fifteen "select pupils sat around, with
moody disconsolate faces.
Two of the largest boys had the warm
corners, of course, while the s"small
fryn sat further off so as to be "out of
the way" One of the large boys, how
ever-a young giant of nineteen, or per-
haps less-lay stretched at full length
on a bench at some distance from the
fire. 1t was a half-holiday, but because
of the storm, the boys we're confined to
the house, and in the words of an old
soldier, when describing his imprison-
ment, suffered anquillity."
If they could have wrestled, or made
a noise, it would have been more beara-
BILE. But that relief was forbidden; for
the school-room was directly under Mrs.
Palmer's room, and she had "weak
nerves." There had been dumb fight
or two, but in their silent wrestling, a
bench had been overturned, and the
knock on the floor overhead.
"Just hear that old cat" growled
Perry Nugent, one of the large boys;
coarse-faced, broad-shouldered, and with
vicious ook in his impudent black
eyes. She can squall herself when
she's angry, but she can't stand a sound
from anybody else. Pm not going to
stand either hers or old Nosey's nonsense
much longer. Are we sugar and salt,
that we can't take our holiday out of
doors like men, but must be penned up
here because it rains3 Pm not put here
to coddle up old Mother Palmer's weak
nerves. Pm going outl'
The sleepy boy on the bench stretched
out his long limbs and half-opened eyes.
"What noise you're always making,
Nugent," he drawled. 81 wish to good
Dess you would go. But didn't you hear
the Governor say he had locked the
gate, and the boy who climbed over the
wall should never return to this sheep
fold of classic learning7 But go, by all
means, my good fellow. Perhaps papa
and mamma would kill the fattsd calf
to welcome your return. Do CO.. /
don't care; it won't hurt my feelings" +"
"Who ever accused you of caring for
anything but your own self7" grumbled
the other, with furious eyes, but a GER
tain control of Words for he STOOD IN
wholesome awe of the six feet of hu-
manity that lay stretched before him.
You're going out yourself this even
ing, and much you care what we suffer !
Look here, Dan Edwards, what are you
smuggling at?' to one of the little boys
who had laughed aloud. "Come here,
sir; I'll teach you manners! Will you
come, say, or shall come after your"
The little fellow, about ten years of
age, hurried up to the bully.
Pull his ears" suggested John Lee,
the other large boy, a cringing sycophant
of Nugent's. "He laughed at you"
81 wasn't laughing at him." said the
frightened child. "Jim Grimes-he
tickled me-and-"
:" don't care what you laughed at -
interrupted the tyrant. 81 ordered you
little chaps to keep silent. Now, Master
Dan Edwards, stand right here before
me. I'm going to give you a box on
one ear; if you vince or move your head
when do it, you'll catch it on the other.
Nowl Onel twol threep
At the last word, the heavy, cruel
hand came down with such force that
the child dropped to the ground. As
he raised himself, down came another
blow, knocking him over again. He did
not dare to cry out, for he knew that
would draw another blow; SO he buried
his aching little face in his hands, and
crept back to his seat.
"I suppose you call that manly 2?
sneered Morton Elston, raising himself
on his elbow on the bench where he had
been lying. ~ haven't interfered with
you for long time, young man, but it's
time to put stop to your bullying thost
poor little fellows. I'm not easy tx
rouse, but just warn you Pm going tt
take their part. Do you know wha
that means, eh?'
"Meansl" cried the other angrily
you want to let the little vagabond
ride over us, and allow them to give u
all kinds of impudence. Did you eve
go to school where the big boys didn'
rule the little ones? Does 'em good
makfs 'em mild and obedient, and train
their muscles. Keep to your own bust
ness Morton Elston, and let mine alone
I've been boss over the young fry lon,
before you came here, and Pve neve
hurt 'em to talk of."
"He broke Abram Hewitt's leg
whispered one of the little boys to hi
neighbor, "and he smashed Isaac's nose
and now he says that amt nothin'.
myp
At this moment the door opened, an
DR.. Palmer, smiling and benevolent
looking, brought in pale, delicate bo
of about twelve.
Young gentlemen" he said, "let m
introduce you to Master Mordaunt Ellil
our new pupil. Mr.. Elston, Mr.. Nugen
you will have the kindness to .introduc
the young gentleman to his companion
I can trust you, l know, to make hil
at home"
And with a beaming face the good ol
gentleman departed, feeling that he ha
initiated the new scholar into a kind
Paradise. -
Little did he dream of the treatmel
that awaited each new boy in his esta