Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-02-11
@TRANsIENT BILLs-cAsH.

As opeued the door he caught sight of lit.
tie Miggs. Springing to the lounge he threw
himself upon his knees and buried bis face
in his hands, and l guessed much of tho
truth at once. What [ did not know was
told me between the sobs of the contrire boy.
But the possibility of such crime in our
midst was too imminent not 10 demand Sc
verc and long to be remembered punishment,
sud this morning l placed them both under
arrest. Debauehery, theft, perhaps worse,
by two oF the most Influential boys iu school
could do less than to make this an ever
lastiug example y
You can't, dear master" cried httlo
Miggs. ':but make it an example of forgive.
ness. 1t was through me they arc condemned.
let them through me be psrdoned. Think of
the punishment of this exposure. Is it not
all evident? Mullett saved my life, sir, and
Decker was alwovs kind and gentle with me,
and so no would have been yesterday, only
he was rot himsalf. Oh, sir, won't you let
it pass p
Oh, the effect of these kind words frsm
little Miggs! At once thero was difference
iu feeling among the boys. Looks of wrath
gave place to those of pity and compassion.
and the culprits begged with tears forgive
ness and pardon. The master was moved
He eauei his head upon his hands in deep
thnught. then arose and talked in low voice
with the constable, who afterwaEd left tho
room.
Boys. have decided to hold a court of
my own. You shall be tho jury, aud little
Miggs here shall be judge"
His face seemed to clear though some
woighty matter we're lifted from his mind.
Cdme, Mr.. Tudgc, proceed with your
charge /; you have bigger jury than ever n
magistrate presided over before"
Boys" said little Miggs, a. don't ex-
actly know what charge is, but want you
all to ssy not cailty, and promise to be good
friends with Mulet and Decker. just tho
same as before. The master said | would
not do right to refuse to tell my story, but
please forge. it al! as ! will, and we will hav"
game of ball this afternoon, aud Alullett
aud Decker shall choose sides. After that
we'll have roast apples and nuts in the hall,
as we planned yesterday, and nobody will re-
member, because everybody will forget"
That's tho most extraordinay charge L
ever heard in my life, " said the master.
"Gentlemcn, are you ready for the quos-
tiun," continued little NIigss.
Judge" Interrupted the master; "arn't
you getting a little mixed on terms Z"
Order in the court said little Miggs,
Guilty or not guilty p
a unanimous ''Not guilty." is shoatcd
with n ring.
GA standing vote" cries little Miggs.
Jumping up and waving his crutcIr
I'll not attempt to describe tho scene which
followed how tho housckeeper stood in ths
doorway waying. her hardherchief- (which
pruvsf she must nave Deen itsrenfHg AZ Inn
ko5hole), and how my little hero suddenly
lost all his courage aud became just AZ bash>
ful as ever when we marched him on our
shoulders through the schOo!>room across
the play ground TO the dining>hall.
must ;sl! you. however, of all the good
PROMISES mado that day and kept faithfully
aferward and of what jolly time We had
iu tho afternoon when little Migcs umpired
that famous ball match between Decker and
Mullett. which was pronounced by all 20
have been by FAR the finest and most exciting
game of the season.