Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-05-03


to him with such pretty, pleading
pout, with "My head aches so,' and
protest she could not do her algebra un-
assisted or "Might | be excused from
writing that dreadful composition for
just this once, please ?" and promised
to do anything else he wished and she
looked so winsome, pretty and bright
when he yielded that she usually car
ried the day.
So, when the master in hard, cold
voice commanded the young ladies who
were late to school to leave their seats
and take their places before his desk,
to his surprise Sue said something in
whisper to her companions, and came
gracefully and quickly forward alone,
and leaning her white arms upon his
desk as for support to her trembling
limbs, said -
"Mr. Cheney we have been to see the
gypsies, but | alone am to blame, and
am ready to take the punishment you
think the rest have merited, together
with my just due"
"Oh you wish to make yourself a
sort of scapegoat for your companions ?"
he questioned with flushed face.
"Yes, sir, if you please" murmured
Sue
"Well, if don't please? think you
have sins enough of your own to answer
for without shouldering those of others" !"
"But really and truly" she pleaded,
with tears in her glorious eyes, 81 am
alone to blame. They would not have
gone but for me, and you will make me
perfectly wretched if you punish them,
when the fault is mine," and she sobbed
audibly.
Il should be sorry to do that he
answered. "It is enough that you make
every day of my life wretched without
my retaliating, and if you will answer
for the good behavior of your compan-
ions in future it shall be as you desire -
81 WILL" promised Sue, but she grew
deadly pale as he extended his hand to
receive hers.
The next moment her little rosy palm
lay In his great broad one, above which
the ruler was poised for the blow; and
though their hands were hidden behind
the desk, the blows could be distinctly
heard.
One, two, three, fonr,-one for each
truant, SAID the teacher, IooKIng uUwn
into Sues eyes with an expression that
none but she could interpret.
The next instant the face of Sue was
buried in her handkerchief, and her
cheeks crimsoned as with shame. Then
she spoke in suppressed voice to the
teacher, and he had to bend low to hear
her.
"Who is the scapegoat now? ?" she
questioned, and the dimples betrayed
that her emotion was laughter, and if
her eyes were filled with tears they were
not sorrouful opoe
Never mind" was answered by the
teacher, as he bit his moustache to hide
smile. 'you may take your seat now. u
"What a generous soul," murmured
Sue, as she laid her head upon the desk.
81 knew he wouldn't strike me. His
broad hand entirely covered mine and
received every blow. How the girls
would laugh if they knew it; but
won tell that shall be our little Sc.
cret."
The remainder of the afternoon she
studied very diligently and recited clev.
erly, though there was very saucy
light burning in her black eyes that
augured i'll for some one.
When school closed for the day the
girls focked around her with many ex-
pressions of sympathy.
ut was SO good and noble in you,
Sue, to take all the blame and the pun
ishment," exclaimed May.
'And how ridiculous he looked pound.
ing the little hand of lady," added
Kitty. 81 avn sure he must think very
little of himself, and, as for me, l hate
him."
$50 do l." said Anuie Miller, "and
would sit up all night to find time to de-
spise him."
Don't be fools ~ interrupted Sue
with flush of anger. 81 think he wa:
very kind and generous to let US off as
easy as he did, for we were wrong and
he was right
81 thought it belonged to a gentle
man code of honor never to strike q
woman p answered May with sneer.
1.-The truth is, replied Sue, "he fixed
the penalty SO severe and unrelenting
that he supposed no one would disobey
and when he was forced to fulfil the
law he punished one girl instead of four
and as it was neither of you think you
ought to be satisfied Suppose we lei
the subject DROP
$50 be it. But, If he remains at the
school-house late again tonight, shan :
we haunt him %
'Yes," said Sue, "and it is my turr
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