The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-02-07


lishment-yes, and clung to him until
he was big and strong enough to play
the tyrant himself.
For four years Nugent had been the
bully of the school. Many of the small
boys had left on account of the NAL
treatment they received from him; but
in very few cases did the complaints
reach the masters ears. When they
did, Nugent was so plausible in his de-
fense, and brought forward SO many
scared witnesses to prove his innocence,
that he managed to escape.
No sooner had DR.. Palmer left the
room than Nugent's eyes lighted up
with delight at the sight of a new vic
tim. He sprang from his seat, seized
the boys hand, and pressed it SO warmly
that Mordaunt WINGED with pain.
"Make you at homer Why, of course
we Wilt" he cried. CDR. Palmer needn't
have told us that, for we always give a
warm welcome to the new boys. How
do you dof" shaking the boys hand
more roughly than before.
"Now let me introduce you to the
others This is Morton Elston. He cuts
up pretty rough on all the little chaps,
but Pll protect you. Here's John Lee,
who can curse harder and drink more
wine than any boy of his inches. Shocks
you, eh? Amt used to seeing boys
drink, 1 reckon? Got a praying NAM
ma, sposeP And how is the old lady 7"
Mordaunt shrunk back. His lip quiv-
cred. My mother is very WE'LL" he
said.
"Oh, the polite gentleman Pay at
teDtion, boys, to this model of polite
ness. He's going to reform the school.
Well, I've done my part, introduced
you to all except the little vagabonds
yonder," pointing to the crowd Of small
boys. Now stand up here before me
and let me examine you. First and
foremost, what did you come here for p
"I came to les m my lessons" The
child was getting thoroughly frightened
at the rough voice and clustering man
ner of his tormentor.
To learn your lessons, eh7 Well,
then, you shall; but by new method.
It's a method of my own invention. 1
call it learning by absorption-saves lots
of study and nonsense. You see that
high bookcase2 Well, there's lots of
learning in that case. Pm going to
hoist you on top of IL, and when you've
stood there an hour or two, you'll absorb
the learning through your feet"
He seized the boy, who was too fright
ened too make resistance, and hoisted
him to the top Of the bookcase, which
stood some distance from the wall.
Boys are naturally cruel, think, for
they all laughed. Even Morton smiled
his lazy smile at the pale, bewildered
face of the new conner when he found
himself on his strange perch.
Con one leg, you rascalp' roared Nu-
gent. "Stand on one leg, or FL shy
this big book at your head, and knock
you to the floor"
Morton raised himself from his bench,
marched deliberately to the bookcase,
and took the trembling child down.
"a Jest is a jest" he said, sternly +,
"and as long as it is kept within bounds
don't interfere. But Pm not going to
have this poor little fellow hurt or scared
to DEATH"
"You'd better not interfere, Merton
ElstonW cried Nugent, fairly foaming
with rage at this interference. "Yeu're
not always around to protect him, and
he's going to fare the worse for this.
I'll bide my time, and it's sure to come"
Morton only answered by look of
contempt, and drew the boy, who was
trembling like leaf, to some distance
from the others.
Don't be frightened" he said, sooth-
ingly; "Pm going to take you under
my own wing, and nobody here braves
me. Why did your mother send such a
weakly little chap as you to such n
rough place as this?'
"She didn't know" answered Nor
daunt. Everybody told her DIR. Pal
mer was good and kind"
so he is; but DR.. Palmer's boys are
not"
And then I had kind of fit, and
they said a change of air and roughing
it would do me good"
ga ftl WhewP whistled Morton.
"Well, this is hard place to cure that
disease; but I'll stand by you"
What an awful boy that big fellow
isp whispered Mordaunt; "he's just
like giant read about, with Goals of
fire for eyes. Why don't you tell DIR.
Palmer how he goes onP"
"My poor child" answered Morton,
that why is hard riddle to solve.
When you've been here longer, you'll
understand that an informer is hated
worse than tyrant. There are certain
laws which bind us with chains of iron,
and make US to endure evils that we de-
spise. But never mind; you shan't
suffer-"
"a gentleman in the parlor for Mr..
Morton Elston," said servant at the
door.
Don't go! Oh, don't leave mep
cried Mordaunt, clinging to his pro-
tector. "That bad boy will kill me
| after you've gone"
"No, he will not. But Pll tell you
what l will do. Instead of staying al
my uncle's all night, as l intended, I'll
merely take tea there and return
They'll not try anything on you before
night. But don't tell them Pm coming
back"
As soon as he had left the room, Perry
Nugent marched up to the trembling boy
$50 your champions gone, has he
] Well, you better make your last viii
and testament, for you'll need it before
long" With scowl he then marched
off.
Until tea-time poor Mordaunt sa
alone, his heart bursting with grief anc
terror. At supper DR.. Palmer seeing
his pale, nervous look, attributed it II
homesickness, and spoke to him kindly
How the poor child dreaded the end o
the meal!
After supper the boys assembled agail
in the school-room, and Mordaunt fount
himself left alone in a corner, while tn
boys engaged in what seemed an i'm
portant consultation around the stove
They spoke in low tones, Perry Nugen
evidently giving orders, and receiving
submissive replies.
"Perhaps they have forgotten me,
thought Mordaunt; "but I'm SO cold
WISH they would ask me to come nea
the stove. I'm afraid to go there. OF
if mother could only be herep An
he laid his head on a desk and weI
silently.
Perhaps he cried himself asleep; bu
he WAS awakened hv rough hand n