The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-02-21

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90. ..-..:s.,s- !,t:.
~ Nugent, one of the large boys; coarse
faced, broad shouldered, and with VIC
ious look in his impudent black eyes.
"Shc can squall herself when she's angry,
but she can't stand sound from anybody
else, I'm not going to stand either here 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 rains2 I'm
not put here to coddle up old Mother
Ralmer's weak nerves. I'm going out ~
The sleepy boy on the bench strenched
out his long limbs and half-opcned eyes.
"What noise you're always making,
Nugent,' he drawled. II wish to good
ness you would 60. But didn't you hear
the Governor say he had locked the gate,
and the boy who climbed over should
never return to his sheepfold of classic
learning? But go, by all MEANS my
good fellow: Perhaps papa and mamma
would kill the fatted calf to welcome
your return. Do 60. I don't care; it
won't hurt my feelings"
''Who ever accused you of caring for
anything but your own self?" grumbled
the other, with furious eyes, but certain
control of words, for hc stood in whole
some awe of the six feet OF humanity that
lay stretched before him. "Yeu're going
out yourself this evening, 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
I come after you?''
The little fellow, about ten years of age,
hurried up to the bully.
Pull his ears" suggested John Lee, the
other large boy, cringing sycophant of
Nugent's. "He laughed at you.''
. Il wasn't laughing at him." said the
tickled me--and-" "
II don't care what you laughed at" in
terrupted the tyrant. II ordered you lit
tie chaps to keep silent. Now, Master
Dan Edwards, stand right here before me.
I'm going to give you box on one ear; if
you vince or move your head when I do
it, you'll catch it on the other. Now!
One! two! thrce!'
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, knock
ing him over again. He did not dare to
cry out, for he knew that would draw an
other blow: so he buried his aching little
lace in his hands, and crept back to his
seat.
~ suppose you call that manly?"
sneered Morton Elston, raising himself
on his elbow on the bench where he had
been lying. II haven't interfered with
you for long time, young man, but it's
time to put stop to your bullying those
poor little fellows, I'm not easy to rouse
but just warn you I'm going to take their
part. Do you know what that means,
eh?"
"Bleans?" cried the other angrily.
"You want to let the little vagabonds
ride over us, and allow them to give us
all kinds of impudence. Did you ever
go to school where the big boys didn't
rule the little ones? Does 'em good;
makes 'em mild and obedient, and trains
their muscles. Keep to your own bus1-
ness, Morton Elston, and let mine alone.
I've been boss over the young fry long
before you came here, and I've Revcr
hurt 'cm to talk Of"
"He broke Abram Hewitt's leg"
whispered one of the little boys to his
neighbor, "and he smashed Isaac's nose,
and now he says that aint nothin'. O
my"
At this moment the door opened, and
DR.. Palmer, smiling and benevolent look
ing, brought in pale, delicate boy of
about twelve.
"Young gentlemen, he said, "let me
introduce you to Master Mordaunt Ellis,
our new pupil. Mr.. Elston, Mr.. Nugent,
you will have the kindness to introduce
the young gentleman to his companions.
can trust you, know, to make him at
home"
And with a beaming face the good old
gentleman departed, feeling that he had
initiated the new scholar into kind of
Paradise.
Little did he dream of the treatment
that awaited each new boy in his estab.
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 maltreat-
ment they received from him; but in very
few cases did the complaints reach the
ears. When they did, Nugent
was so plausible in his defense, 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 de-
light at the sight Of new victim. He
sprang from his seat, seized the boys hand
and pressed it so warmly that Mordaunt
WINGED with pain.
"Make you at home? Why, of course
we will" he cried. "Dr. Palmer needu't
have told US that, for we always give q
warm welcome to the new boys. How do
you do2" shaking the boys hand more
than before.
"Now let me introduce you to the others.
This is Morton Elston. He cuts up pret-
ty rough on all the little chaps, but I'll
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, I reckonE
Got praying mamma, lspose? And how
the old lady9"
Mordaunt shrrnk back. His lip quiv-
cred. my mother is very WE'LL" he said.
"Oh, the polite gentleman! Pay atten-
tion, boys, to this model Of politeness.
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