St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-02-06

t0ld hlm hls.crime, and that he MIGHT
nave killed the other boy and then he
would have been hung, and as he really
did act like murderer, and did cut
the boy without caring if he did kill
him, the only thing to do was to hang
him and as he talked he took a twine
and showed Salter how to tie a hang
mans knot, and put the loop around
his neck and drew the knot up under
his ear and threw the cord over the
stove pipe and began to draw it tighter.
The boy wilted and begged Justify,
and promised perfect obedience if only
he need not be hanged. Tim. let up
on the string, but told him he must
wear it home and back again and be
sure to come to school that afternoon.
The boy promised, and was off for
home like loon.
The school-call for afternoon found
him in his seat, book in hand and 81
lent. Tim. took the twine from the
boys neck and began to think what
next. He scarcely knew whether he
better read few verses in his bible
and repeat Il mental prayer or trust
luck. He took a rapid survey of the
situation and made it convenient to at
tend to his duties in the rear of the
room, where he could see through the
window far down the road towards
the Salter home.
After recess, a long, leaning, grim
human figure appeared taking rapid
strides towards the school house. There
was no mistaking the ownership O
those great, swinging boots, and those
clenched fists making sundry dashe'
into the air. In few minutes withOu
rap or ring, the door was dashed
wide open and in stalked Adam Salter
with head aloft and his red face full o
anger. Quick as lightning, Tim. spranl
ker which lay by the side of the stove
and, raising it with both hands over hi
right shoulder, he stood before Adam
and said in voice of thunder, "Wha
are you doing here 2" "I've come t,
school," said Adam, defantly, but look
ing straight at the poker. "Come t.
school, have you? Well, sit dow
there" said Tim, as he pointed witt
the poker to front bench where tn
little children sat, "sit down there o
e I'll split your head open;" and at tn
i word Adam dropped to the seat, keep
e ing his eyes on the poker. Tim. turne,
with his spiteful motion and taking u
book suited to that bench of scholars
n turned back to Adam and opened it t.
>, the spelling lesson and presented il
i saying, "Take that book and get tina
}. lesson, and don't you raise your eye
y from it," DDS.
V All this time Tins face was distort
4 ed with passion, his eyes flashed, an
= stood out from their sockets, and hi
d mouth and whole face and figure mad
|, him look like the Spirit of Evil. Adar
: took the book like scared child an
: began getting the lesson as if his lif
o depended upon it, while Tim. wen
# about his work. The time for spellin
e came and Tim. called up the class c
: little ones and told Adam to stand u
i with them and toe the mark, and AdaI
seeing those eyes looking at him, wen
S up to the mark and spelled in his turn
u like the rest. When Adam spelled
: word which the little ones missed, til
n master made him take his place abov
S them. The spelling done, Tim. sal
e to him, "You have done well, Adam
O if yOu will come to school steadily 4
O make man of you, now take you
: seat :" and he did take his seat, fc
= that face was ugly yet.
j. When school closed and the childre
is started for the door, Tim, all quietl
n but quickly, turned to Adam as he rOs
d from his bench and began talking wit
IL him as though nothing had happene
: and very soon said, 81 was thinking
go to Mr.. Coles to board, but they al
n sick there, and, if you are willing,
IS would like to go to your house to boar
o tonight" ''All right" said Adam
IT I'VE can take you now as well as an
/. time;" and the two walked togeth,
n and never referred to the scene
r. school in any way afterwards an
II Adams children were punctual in a
IS tendance to the end of the term.