Connecticut western news., 1880-09-01
THE SCHOOL TEACHER.
How He Flattered Mike Horn Into
 Telling the Truth.


 Mike declared that he would pay "Old Silence" as he called the teacher, for whipping him, and not Jim Jones, and for several days he was planning how he should do it, but in vain, as it was task that required considerable skill and in- genuity. At last, however, the oppor- tunity came to him unexpectedly. He had, as usual, been "doing nothing," and as punishment had to stay in school during dinner time. It was severe ordeal for him. Looking out of the window he could see the boys play ing, and having good time generally; he would rather take dozen whippings than be deprived of his play hour. He, owever, concluded to while away the time in drawing on the blackboard, for he had considerable talent in that direc- tion. All at once thought struck him just the thing for revenge on "Oid Silence" He would caricature hlm and write his new name on the drawing and leave 1t to be seen by all the scholars. So he glanced about, and seeing the place clear of prying eyes, went to work, "Won't he be mad ?" chuckled Mike to himself. "That's his nose exactly" and he stepped backward to admire his work "No one will ever know who did it, he thought, as he added the eyeglasses and finished the work, much to his satisfac- tion.
 The scholars had not long been as- sembled before the illustration was dis covered, and its resemblance to the teacher recognized. A general litter went over the school-room and attracted the attention of the teacher Silence!" he exclaimed, looking up from his writ ing, at which geographies were in great demand by the school.
 "Simon, what amuses you? ?" Simon George had left his geography at home, so his mirth was beyond con- cealment He did not dare to speak lest he should burst out laughing, so he simply pointed to the blackboard to which the teacher had his back turned.
 Mike Horn had his revenge; in fact he never enjoyed any thing so much in his life. His handkerchief was scarcely large enough to fill his mouth, and it was with great difficulty that he kept from laughing aloud. The teacher gave one look at the blackboard and then at | the school. There was no merriment now.
 "Silence was about to vent his wrath and commence search for the guilty person who had thus caricatured him, but the thought struck him that the course he had on the spur of the moment intended to pursue was not altogether a wise one, even though it. might be the most correct. What, then, was tie as- 1 tonishment of the school to see the stern features of the hard-hearted school-mas- ter relax into broad smile. In fact, he laughed quite heartily, and again ex- amined the drawing. "Well, whoever did that" he esaid, aloud, "has a superior talent for drawing, and will make great artist. He pretended not to notice that it was intended as a caricature of him. self "Surely that must have been done by some grown person no scholar of mine, I imagine, can draw so we'll; if there is, he must receive instru ction at | once."
 Mike Horn opened his eyes very wide; he was being praised for his work, and "Old Silence" did not recognize 1t as himself. "Well, that is too good" he thought.
 "Yes, whoever did that" continued the school-master, still looking admir- inely at the blackboard, "must take lessons in drawing and painting. Who did it ?"' Putting the question abruptly. Mike, suspecting no deception on the part of the teacher, and thinking he had made a great hit, which would indeed make him hero in the eyes of the school, rose to his feet, and, casting one glance of pride and grandeur over the school-room, said, gladly, "1 did,"
 Every eye was upon him in astonish- ment and admiration. All except "S Si- lence" himself-his eye was upon poor Mike, but not in admiration-the pleas ant smile had left his face, and ill its place look of satisfaction at his own | great cunning.
 "Mike Horn" he said cit was you ?" "Yes, sir"
 "Nen," continued "Silence, "you certainly deserve praise for your talent, as said before, and should improve it, but you did wrong in ridiculing your superior in choosing such Q subject for Illustration, and for that must punish you severely"
 Mike was neatly trapped he admitted that afterward at the time, however, he was too frightened to reason much about it.
 The eccentric "Silence" immediately dragged poor Mike to the front, admin istered to him sound hogging, and compelled him to remain standing on the small stool all the afternoon; but Mike kept his voluntary promise" He never did it again. CURIOUS STATISTICS. melancholy statistical fend of Western paper has been compiling mortuary statistics of some of the big battles of the war. | E;rbtv Soldiers all shot abova tba hips