The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-03

Their can, and was herself glad that out OF
her own experience, she could sympa.
thize with her boy. Only she was sor-
ry when she thought how hardly won is
the victory over ones own spirit.
Tom went along saying to himself:
"'Greater than he that taketh city, ]
call that putting it pretty strong"
Just then Jarvis Brooks caught sight
OF him from down the street and called
out: "Hello, there, Nitro-glycerine! On
your way to school?"
How the blood flew up to Toms face,
and the quick anger sprang up in his
heart. But he did say to himself, just in
time to prevent an angry reply: swell,
'twasn't putting it bit too strong, after
ALL"
So by tie time he reached jarvis, he
spoke to him as pleasantly as though
Nitro-glycerine was his name and he
liked it.
Jarvis was good-natured boy, not by
any means unkind intentionally; but
liked to tease, just for fun. Not getting
much fun this time, he gave it up; and
so Tom had gained a little victory and
began to feel quite pleased with himself.
Ball-playing was the game at that time.
Marbles and kites had gone by and moth
ing but bats and balls were seen on the
playground, and I'm not sure but they
were in the minds of the boys durin G
school hours. At least that was the way
the teacher accounted for imperfect les
sons now and then. Tom managed to
get through the morning in school and at
recess without once getting vexed. He
came near it once or twice, and when
Will Hammond accidently overturned
Tom dinner-pail, causing the apples to
roll around on the floor in careless
manner, and making decided turn
over'' OF the section of currant-pie, and
then allowing Tom to bear the blame, it
required all Toms courage to keep from
'taking the top OF his head off, That
was one of Toms favorite expressions
Not that he ever carried the threat out in
any instance, but it was only his strong
way of putting things. But he thought
"Greater is he,'' etc. in time to save Will
the top of his head; or, what is more to
the purpose, in time to save his temper.
When he went home at noon, for his
demolished dinner didn't quite satisfy
his appetite, he said:
"Your recipe works frst-rate, mother.
I'm getting great, according to your ideas,
for I've kept my temper all the forenoon
and tell you, it's been under what you
call trying circumstances too. Will
Hammond had to 60 and upset my DIN
ner-pail and spoil my dinner, and so
lose part OF the game of ball. And I tell
you, mother, it was too bad. I wanted
to punch him; but I didn't. Why I'm
getting to be perfect lamb. Give me a
little more pie, please, and let me hurry
off. want our side to beat. I tell YOU,
I won't get mad once today
tom, let me give you one more verse,
said his mother.
Don't know about that. It's hard
work enough to manage one. But let's
have it. It'll be good I know.
"Le, not him who putteth on his har-
ness boast as he who taketh it off,
"Humph! That means,::I s'pose, that I
haven't finished this little battle of mine
yet. Rather discouraglng. But never
mind. I'll think Of it, it I can"
When he got back to the ground, the
game was at its height. Toms place
had been filled for him, and he took 1t as
soon as he arrived.
His side was winning, and, as he was
in earnest in everything he did he forgot
all but the game. Then IN about min
ute more some one cried out: "Tom
Gayle don't play fair!''
"Who says don't play fair?" cried
Tom.
II say sop said boy on the other
side.
"Say it again, if you darev' And
Toms temper was rapidly getting the
mastery.
II do say it. That last blow wasn't
fair; and I'll prove it to you, if you won't
fly into rage
The boy was John Hollis, good friend
of Toms; but ne said Tom cheated, and,
although he hadn't meant it quite as it
sounded, and though Tom loved him in
a thorough schoolboy fashion, everything
of that kind faded out of his mind, and
in less than half minute he had dealt
John blow, and then another and an
other, and the pleasant school playground
was the scene Of that disgrace to school
boys, a fight.
John wasn't strong boy, and Tom
was strong and had the strength which
anger gives; and catching hold of
Johns arm, he gave 1T twist, and an
instant more John lay, white and
talnting, on the grass. The arm was
broken, whether from blow or from
the fall none could tell; but Tom thought
he knew. White! Yes, except for one
or two ugly marks, and still, as though
dead.
Toms anger was gone, and great re-
proach sprang up in his heart against
himself.
ooh, boys! Have I killed hlm9'
"Of course you have," cried one.
"Run and tell the teacher" cried an
other. And the boys ran this way and
that, while Tom bent over him, loosened
his clothing, and in a moment or two.
had the satisfaction of seeing him open
his eyes, and though his came back to
consciousness only to grean with pain,
the groans were sweet to Toms ears.
Anything but that deathly stiffness.
Then they helped him up, and Tom and
one or two of the boys went home with
him.
Tom stopped and got doctor to go
and set the arm and told all the story