Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-08-16
CAYENNE PEPPER.

A good many pranks had been play
ed III Mss Bensop's school at one time
aud another. but that which astonishet
both teacher and scholars more than al
the others, was played on a certain
afternoon in the late autumn.
IfBert Sherman had not been lh'
most roguish boy in school, perhaps he
would not have been held TO such strlc'
account for what had been done.
But the next morning at recess
Bert was summoned 10 the teachers
desk.
Il Iidn't do it,, he said, in seli'detence
before the teacher had time to ask
nuestion. For he knew well enougt
what was coming.
Don't you know 1t is wicked to tell
a lie p asked Miss Benson, in severe
tone.
'Yes'm,' answered Bert, looking
down at hia worn cOpper'toes, and
rafting marbles, slate pencils and Jack
knives in his pocket.
Il am sorry, BERT said Miss Benson,
still more severely, yet with a suggeS-
ton of tears in her eyes; had thought
YOU were above lie
Il AMI said Bert, drawing himself up
proudly and looking angrily at the
teacher.
Miss Benson was puzzled, but as
Bert dropped his head again, she con =
tiuued, sadly:
'lff had not had faith in your truth
fuln ess-fo this is the first time you
have ever denied my accusations-and
| if 1t had not been for your mother, WHO
works SO hard to support you should
have expelled you long ago. But this
time there is no doubt about your guilt.
You we're the only one in the room just
before the last session yesterday; you
had begged for holiday 10 60 nutting,
and had been refused, and you did 50,
hear, after you had succeeded in break
ing up the school. could forgive II
all If YOU had owned up honoraby'
But this deliberate untruth'-
Il didn't tell lie! Bert almos'
shouted.
This is getting worse and worse
continued Miss Benson, quietly. 10
set the whole school sneeziag with red
pepper, so that the session had TO be
broken up, was bad enough; but to tell
a.
4 didn't! 1 didn't! didn't! sad
| Bert, in fierce, quiet tones; be was toe
much excited 10 speak loud.
His blue eyes flashed, his hands were
cliuched. He looked as if be would
| fight the accusation to the DEATH
Il saw YOU come out Of the room just
before the bell ruDg,' said Miss Benson
in a voice of settled conviction. There
was no one else in the room; therefore,
Won must have done it. Take your
stand in the middle of the roonh anc
when you 90 home this noon tell your
mother YOU are dismissed from the
school,
It will break her hearth said Bert,
with a very Witty face. An she means
| ME to be doctor o, Miss Benson
don't turn me out Of school, he plead
ed. L know I've been bad an have
cut ND capers without end. 1 led them
I'm barring you out, an 1 stopped the
stove chimney so that :hc room hlled
with smoke, an l put the net ovel
Tabs face that day she flew wild about
the room, an put the cobbler's wa'
ION the seats, an 1 did every other
prank you ever accused me OF; but
didn't tie up cayenne pepper in those
rags an set 'em smoulderIng all over
the room, so that you an all US scholars
would sneeze ourselves to death almost
an we'd have 10 have a holiday.
He paused for want of breath. but al
! ter a moment he went on.
Il did 20 tor nuts, but didn't do tha
trick to get of. didn't deny IN.
tricks alore, an l wouldn't this time
| Miss Benson leaned back in her chaii
and regarded the boy critically, thoug
there was a twItchins about her lips.
You see, Bert she said, yer.
quietly, 'one bad boy will demoralz
the whole school, and for the sake
The others you must 60. Pve beel
patient with you, Bert. Have | noIs
she asked.
'Yes'm, said Bert, with his eyes Oh
the copper toes.
And you understand that one boy
| can set a whole school wrong"
| 'Yes'm.'
j And YOU have continually been gel
ting yourself and others into mischief
sYcs'm.'
You are one OF my brightest boys
continued Miss Benson; and kno'
that the boys who have most lie an
who are therefore apt to get into mos
mischief often turn out to be our ver
; best and most capable men. Aad 50
have thought that yon might soNe da
become a successful man, IT coui
only be patient with you and get ou
be;,ove. Do YOU understand?