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

The other times you Knew you "ould
only be punished; but this tine you
knew you were at the end Of your rope,
aud you remembered what threatened
last time. Miss Benson, believe me
lust this once. l didn't sc those rags
burning, and l nave not told lie
said Bert, solemnly.
III hadn't seen sou coming out OF
the empty school-room just before, and
# I hadn't known there was no oEe else
ill.,
'Taerc was-' said Bert, aud could
have bitten his tongue out the next
instant.
'Who?
Bert looked at The copper toes again
in silence.
This morning. Miss Benson con-
tinued, when l asked if any Of the
scholars knew about this matter, they
all denied bat you. How did that hap
pen?'
Because some one else led said
Bert to himself, but he only answered.
Miss Benson, l had nothing 10 DO
with it. l had jast been in the room an
instant to get M top ou! ofmy desk
when }ou met me-
Miss Benson leaned back and look ed
steadily at the boys earnest face. Just
then she glanced at her watch. Recess
time was up. She rang the bell.
You may take your seat she said
to Bert.
But Bert went and stood in the mid
die Of the room. Miss Benson pat her
elbows on The desk and leaul her face
in her hands. When SIZE rose, after
few moments. and looked upon the
assembled scholars, she was very pale.
Boys she sad, You remember That
story in the Bible about Chri't ral1ng
the widows SON.:
'Yes'm,' cried chorus Of voices.
why did He do tha?'
'Cause he was her only son, an she
was a widow said one clear, steady
voice.
"Cause she felt badly, an He was
sorry for her. said another.
DO You know Of any one in this
room who is the only son Of his mother.
and she is a widow 2
All eyes turned to Bert who was
looking at them all, with blazing blue
eyes set in a white face.
'Yes'm' they answered, with little
pity in their faces.
And can you not imagine that
mother would feel a great deal worse to
have her boy disSraced IN all his future
life than to have him die?
'Yes'm.' O0ly a few voices this
fine. and eager, questioning faces.
Did you ever know Bert to tell an
untruth 2
Nom 2 cried every voice.
But it looks as if he did this morn
ing2'
'Yes'mn 'Nom'mn There was
fairly battle of voices.
You remember L said that saw him
come out of the room, and that no one
else was there !
'Yes'm.'
sBut nevertheless, Bert says he had
nothing to do with the cayenne pepper
Yesterday, aad, boys, / Jsliere h'm
Now. for the sake of that widowed
mother. 1 ask the real wrong-doer 10
accuse himself and clear Bert
There was long silence.
IF any boy here knows anything
about this, let HIM speak,
Another silence.
Bert gave one quick, besecching, and
compelling glance at Hal Howard who
was white and nersous.
Miss Benson saw the glance.
For the sake of Bert's future lite.
for the sake OF his mother she said
locking straight at Hal.
Slowly, as if undsr spell he coal d
not resist, Hal, rose to his feet.
You did it, Hal p said the teacher
when she saw he could not >p'ak.
He bowed his head.
Now tell me ali about 1t. before The
whole school,
I-I-was behind the door when you
came 10 the room, an'-an as you
stood with your back 10 me and spoke
to Bert, slipped out an' came IN "ith
the crowd
Did you know this, BerI'
'Yes'm.'
'HowT
Il saw him slip out as was going
out with my top; an as soon as the
sneezlug began | knew who had done
| it,
And sou wouldn't have told zen t.
save being expelled 2
No, ma'am,' he answered, holding
up his he ad, proudly.
There vas breathless silence as Miss
Benson stepped from her platform anc
walked over TO Bert.
Bert, ask your forgiveness 'h'
said. for even doubling your word
You are sn honorable bly,
Then The tears rushed TO Berl's eyes
lue grasped Miss Benson's hand 50
noh,ly that he hurt her. He made on'
/ t1 o,oootr and then eu0doQ