Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-04-18
A Brave Boy.

- @NS
IRwas teaching a school in a little
town in Western State several years
ago, and during the winter many farm.
ers' sons and field-boys entered, who
were not able to come at other times OF
the year. Some of them were dull
scholars, but all were anxious to learn,
and they did not give me near SO much
trouble as the few sons of wealthier pa
rents who we're also under my charge.
There was one among the sunburnt
faces of these country boys that always
struck me as especially intelligent. 1t
belonged to Henry Chalmers, lad of
fourteen.
He worked for neighboring farmer
nine months in the year, in order to at
tend school during the remaining three !;
but it was evident that he had other
sources of instruction besides those
given in the school, for he often came
to me with questions which showed
knowledge beyond what could expect
from one no further advanced in his
studies.
Most of the scholars were younger
than Henry, or else about his age, but
there were four or five BOYS and several
girls who were older. There was one
boy of nineteen, a slow and stupid, but
good fellow, and another of
sixteen, George Cassell, whom I never
quite liked. II he was not selfish and
unprincipled, he was at least very silly.
He always wore exceedingly fashy
neckties he cooked his hat on one side.
and displayed a cheap ring, of which he
was evidently very proud, on his
stubby little finger.
Moreover, he carried o cane where
ever he went, even to and from school,
which seems to me very foolish and
conceited for boy with sound legs to
do under any circumstances. but cs-
pecially so in his case.
However, that cane proved itself of
utmost service to me and to the schol
ars II it was not of service to Cassell.
and met its end in very extraordinary
manner.
It was one Of the last days of the
spring term, and I was just ready to
hear the first recitation, when o little
girl burst into the school-room all out
of breath with crying and running, and
exclaimed, as soon rs she passed the
door, % Miss Franklin, there's mad
dog right ont in the road p
The scholars all laughed. Mad dogs
are favorite terror with little girls.
Maggie, said I, "come here, and
I took off her hat and cloak. Chow
do you know the dog is mad 2"
Why, he was running down the
road as fast as could be, and he looked
awful mad, and MIR. Atkins says he is
mad, and-oh, did you hear that ?"
1t was the loud report of q gun di-
rectly in front Of the school-house, fol-
lowed by chorus of "Oh's" from the
scholars, and some shrill screaming
outside.
Then another little girl ran along the
walk near the side windows, screaming
with all her might, and opened the rear
door of the building, rushed, Just as
Maggie had done. into the room where
we were all seated.
Closely following her, at one time
almost seizing her dress, came large
dog, without doubt in q rabid condi-
ton. He had been shot at in the road
and was apparently but very slightly
wounded.
II the girl had closed the door be-
hind her, which she could easily have
done, the dog could not have entered ;
but as it was, she led the mad creature
directly into the room where we all
were.
The door was behind and on one side
of me. As turned and looked. nv
heart stood still, for I beheld what I
hope I may never again see "a really
mad dog, his mouth dripping, his eyes
glazing, and his hair bristling.
He stopped at the doorway for an in
slant then, with a growl, he started
into the roam.
I have heard people tell about think
ing quickly in times of grea. danger,
but for my part, ! can say that on this
occasion / did not think at all. Hardly
knowing what / did, I seized a ruler,
grasped the two little girls and drew
them to me.
The dog advanced towards us, but he
had not taken three steps when a boy 8
form suddenly interposed. 1t was
Henry Chalmers.
He had picked up the first weapon
that came within reach, which hap
pened to bea cane standing in the cor
ner near his seat. Although its du,y
when in George Cassell's hand was
solely as an ornament, it was, never
theless. apparently designed for use,
for it had thick shaft and large knob
for head.
With this he struck the dog swift
blows over the back, and the animal