The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-07-24

to appreciate and make the best use
OF his privileges and opportunities.
So he did not idly waste his time, but
presently returned with very peace
ful looking switch indeed-a switch
apparently far gone in the stages OF
consumption-the sickest switch!
Now" said Mr.. Stoddard, with a
gentle, compassionate intonation.
strike me-"
Samuel Johnson, who had already
begun to unbutton his own jacket,
opened his mouth wide. and all the
school stared in speechless amaze.
ment. Mr.. Stoddard calmly repeated d
his order. He thought he coul see
the new set OF muscles beginning TO
work." Some one," he said-and a
woman could not have spoken more
tenderly-" some one must suffer for
the infracfion OF the rules. / do not
punish any OF you for any pleasure IL
gives me to Sc you snffer. / do il
because justice demands IL. Some
one must be punished, and / will suf-
fer chasiisement In your stead" The
teacher saw new light spring up in
Samuel Sohnson's countenance. Tue
boy looked at his teacher and then al
his switch. The teacher could "see a
struggle begin In the face" Present
ly the tears sprang to Samuel John
cons eyes, and he said, in a voice suf-
fused with anxiety: Hadn't better
go out and get bigger SWITCH"
The teacher softly told him he
might do so II he wished, and Samuel
Johnson went out and was gone ten
minutes-ten long, anxious, quiet.
wondering minutes. When he re-
turned the school smiled. He carried
In his hand switch that looked like
Russian peace commissioner. He
had cut it out Of an Usage hedge, and
when he held it where the sunlight
could fall upon IL, IL looked wickeder
than John Morrisssy Us faro parlors. 1t
was about seven feet long, an inch
and thl lee-quaIters thick at the butt,
and was timber aid twisted, and bad
knots and knobs clear down 10 the
point. The boys face shoDe with q
blight glow OF conscientious sati-fac-
tion as he balanced this switch, end
drew il Though his hard. muscular
hands.
Mr.. Stoddard stood up and folded
his arms. Ths u he said, with "a sad.
sweet look at the culprit. "Now
strike me-" The school Just sat still
and held its breath.
Samuel johnson did not act 10
greedy and unseemly haste, a. though
he were meanly and wicke dly glad to
have tue opportunity OF hitting his
dear teacher. He conducted himsel.
like boy who h a painful duty to
perform, but is impelled by conscien
tious motives 10 perform ii thorough
Is. He pulled Of his jacket; he rolled
up his sleeves; he spat on his hands
and took two-handed grasp on the
switch. Twice he changed the posi-
ton OF his feet 10 get better brace.
Ther he drew long deep breath.
raised his arms, and the switch idst
shrieked through the air like mad,
living thing.
Old Mr.. HarRis, the senior
director, who lives only u mile and a
half away from the schoolhouse, says
he was out Ia the field plowing, 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 this theory; and
next time the teacher shouted, the
director was convinced that steam
boat had gone astIay, and was whist
ling for landing somewhere up the
creek. While he WIS trying to hold
his frightened horses. another volley
Of sound came sweeping oyer the
land like vocal cyclone, and old Mr.
| Nitengale. who had been deaf twenty
three years, came running over. and
said be believed they were fighting
down at the quarries. BY this time
they were joined by the rest of the
neighbors, aid the excited population
went thronging on toward the school
house.
In accepting Mr.. Stoddard's resig-
nation the directors considerably al.
lowed his pay for the full tern, and
in series of complimentary resolu
tions, spoke of his efficiency in the
highest terms. although it transpired
that the board was privately agreed
after all the facts had been laid be.
natral- born fool TO suit practical
locality. Mr.. Stoddard is not teach
ing anywhere this summer. He told
his landlady that he needed rest, and
that od-hearted old investigating
committee was amazed TO discover
that Mr.. Stoddard rested, and even
went 10 bed, by leaning up, face
foremost, against the mantel-piece in
his room.-R. j. Burdette, IN Vestern
Farmers almanac.
Quick Work.
People often talk about the laws