Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-08-26

THE HAIR IN MY INKSTAND.
This bit of autobiography shall possess
at least the merit OF truthtulucSS. | will
begin. therefore, by frankly confe>sing
that | deserve the sound thraShing which.
in my apron DAYS, l received at the hands
of Miss Dowucr. That cStimable lady
had been shocked az bcholdiug me appear
a, school with my pinatorc, which was a
continual thorn in my side, turned wrong
side foremost. had tried the eNpcri-
mcnt in the hope that it would lessen the
garments resemblance 70 girls apron
I hated girls only less cordially than |
hated aprons. Next 70 running away to
sea. | regarded a jacket such as Tommy
Avery wore. the limit of my earthly am
bition. As l could not get the jacket, /
determined al least that would make my
apron button in front, instead OF behind.
So l turned II. OF course was discov-
cred. and when rashly denied the offence
nv teacher considered it her duty to
double the thra>hing
Miss Downer was assisted in teaching
the Young idea to shoot by a very long
and flexible rattan. Thi, she produced
when the school had been dismissed. and,
in a voice that made me doubly apprc-
hen,.vc from il, Sottncss, bade me 20
..hold out' my hand. did SO, keeping
nv elbow as near my spine as possible.
She administered The blows with con>ci-
eu,iou, rapidi,y l received them with
a, good grace as oonld muster.
There. said she at last, "that Is for
changing your piuatorc. Now will pun
i,h you for telling me falschood. Hold
out Your other hand.
But here came deliycrance from an un-
expected source. \ knock al the door
caused Miss Dowucr 20 pause with uphtt-
cd arm.
You may see who i, there, she said.
l obeyed willingly. The door opened
upon joel Griswcu. Joel was member
of the school Committee, and opposed
corporeal punishment. 80 Miss Downer
permitted me to 20 without the extra
hossing. l went breathing blessings
upon the head of Joel Gri>wel. Outside
the schoolhouse | met Carrie Leonard,
who had evidently been waiting my COM
ing.
Did she hurt YOU much, Nathaniel; :
inquired Carrie sympathetically.
sympathy was something which at that
moment l did not want. SO answered
sulkily:
her"
Did YOU put any resin on your hands =
continued Carrie, walking along at my
side.
..P,haw. that wouldn't do any good.
"Wouldnt it: 1t was real mean OF
her to whip YOU just for turning youl
apron. I'd turn mine if | wanted to.
That was the most unkindeSt cut ot
all. The slightest reference TO my pima.
fore made me vince; to have 1t put II
the same category with a girls apron wa.
unbearable
''Shc won't never whip me again.
said desperately. I'm going tC
Africa
Carries blue eyes opened wide with
wonder.
why, what are YOU going to do there
Nathaniel
Drive camels" | answered with
ferceness which l felt sure would have
beftted a jacket, or even coat witt
tails. Il amt coming to school an,
more. They don't have schools in Africa
and there amt any Miss DownerS there
either. You may have my geography !
YOU want it. There's one leaf gone witt
the map of New Zealand, but that won
/ hurt it much. | Shan't have to study an
more lessons. and Miss Downer won't &c
any more apples from me. You can tel
her so, if YOU want to.
Carrie looked up timidly.
..When are YOU going, Nathaniel"
Pretty soon, said evasively, bu
still fercely MAYBE I'll send YOU bacl
some diamonds and an elephant, when
| get there
but You'll never know Algebra, no
Latin. nor Greek, in Africa, suggeste
Carrie disSuaSiyely.
Il don't want 10 know EN- said
decisiyely. Il hate schools and book
and teachers, and that IS the reason In
! going