The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-07-09

this, being a pleasant change from
the monotonous routine OF study and
recitation, was always hailed with
demonstrations of great joy by the
pupils.
MIR. Stoddard called Samuel John
son up to his desk, and, more calmly
than was his custom under such cir
cumstances, told him to go out and
bring in a switch The pupils noticed
there was something unusually
gentle in the teachers manner, and 1t
struck Samuel johnson very torcibly
that it was certainly very much out
of the ordinary method OF procedure
for the culprit to be accorded the
privilege of cutting his own switch;
But he was not the boy who would
fail to appreciate and make the best
use of his privileges and opportun-
tiles. So he did not idly waste his
time, but presently returned with a
very peaceful looking switch indeed
"a switch apparently tar gone in the
last stages Of consumption-the sick
est switch
"Now," said Mr.. Stoddard, with a
gentle, compassionate lntonatlon,
"strike me-"
Samuel johnson, who had already
begun to unbutton his own jacket,
opened his mouth wide, and the
whole school stared in sheechless
amazement. Mr.. Stoddard calmly
repeated his order. He thought he
could see the "new set of shuttles be-
ginning to work" Some one" he
said-and a woman could not have
spoken more tenderly-"some one
must suffer the intractlen OF the rules.
l do not punish any Of you for any
pleasure it gives me to see you suffer.
l do it because justice demands II.
Some one must be punished, and l
will suffer chastisement in your
stead" The teacher saw "new light
spring up" in Samuel Johnson's coun-
tenance. The boy looked at his
teacher, and then at his switch. The
teacher could see struggle begin in
the face" Presently the tears sprang
to Samuel Johnson's eyes, and he
said, in voice sutfused with anxiety,
Hadn't / better 60 out and get a
bigger switch?"
The teacher softly told him he
might do so if he wished, and Sam.
uei johnson went out and was gone
ten minutes ten long, anxious, quiet,
minutes When he re.
turned the school smiled. He carried
in his hand switch that looked like
a Russian peace commissioner. He
had cut it out o: an Usage hedge,
and, when he held it where the sun
light could fall upon it, it looked
wickeder that John Morrissey's faro
parlors. 1t was about seven feet
long, an inch and three-quarters thick
at the butt, and was timber and
twisted, and had knots clear down to
the point. The boys face shone
with bright glow OF conscientious
satisfaction as he balanced the switch
and drew it through bis hard, muscu
lar hands.
Mr.. Stoddard stood up and folded
his arms. Then he said, with sad,
sweet look at the culprit Now
strike me-" The school inst sat still
and held its breath.
Samuel Johnson did not act in
greedy and unseemly haste, as though
he were meanly and wickedly glad
to have this opportunity Of hitting
his dear teacher. He conducted
himself like boy who has a painful
duty to perform, but is compelled by
conscientious motives to perform it
thoroughly. He pulled off his jacket;
he rolled up his sleeves; he spat on
his hands and took a two-handed
grasp on the switch. Twice he
changed the position of his feet TO get
better brace. Then be drew long.
deep breath, raised his arms, and the
switch just shrieked through the air
like wild, mad, living thing. Old
Mr.. Hargis, the senior director, who
lives only a mile and halt away
from the school-house, says he was
out in his field blowing, and when
Mr.. Stoddard let off his first yell
the old mans first impression
was that the school.house had been
struck by lightning. The clear sky,
however, disproved the theory; and
next time the teacher shouted the dl-
rector was convinced that steam
boat had gone astray and was whist
ling for landing somewhere up the
creek. While he was trying to hold
his terrified horses, another voiley Of
sound came sweeping over the land
lilo q rnca, cvclnne and old Mr..