Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-07-29
CAYENNE PEPPER.
From the Youths Companion. !

A good many pranks had been played
in Miss Benson's school at one time anC
another, but that which astonished bott
teacher and scholars more than all the
others, was played on a certain after
noon in the late autumn.
If Bert Sherman had not been the
most roeuish boy in school, perhaps he
would not have been held to such strict
account for what had been done.
But the next morning at recess, Bert
was summoned to the teachers desk.
"I didn't do it - he said, in self.
defense, before the teacher had time to
ask a question. For he knew well
enough what was coming.
Don't you know it is wicked to tell
a lie 2" asked Miss Benson, in q severe
| tone.
"Yes'm," answered Bert, looking
down at his worn copper toes, and rat
Ting marbles, slate-pencils and jack
knives in his pocket.
''I am sorry, Bert" said Miss Ben
son, still more severely, yet with sug-
gestion of tears in her eyes 81 had
thought you were above lie
81 am - 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-
tinued, sadly:
ssIf had not had faith in your truth
fulness-for this is the first time you
have ever denied my accusations-and
il it 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 were the only one in the room just
before the last session yesterday; you
had begged for holiday to go nutting
and had been refused, and you did go,
I hear, after you had succeeded in
breaking mp the school. l could for
give it all, if you had owned up honor
ably. But this deliberate untruth''-
81 didn't tell a lie I" Bert almost
shouted.
"This is getting worse and worse, u
continued Miss Benson, quietly. "TO
set the whole school sneezing with red
pepper, so that the session had to be
broken up, was bad enough. But to
tell "a
81 didn't / didn't l didn't - said
Bert, in fierce, quiet tones; he was toe
much excited TO speak loud.
His blue eyes flashed, his hands were
clinched. He looked as if he would
fight the accusation to the death.
81 saw you come out of the room just
before the bell rung," said Miss Ben
son, in a voice of settled conviction.
''There was no one else in the room.
Therefore, You must have done it.
Take your stand in the middle of the
room, and when you go nome this noon
tell your mother you are dismissed from
the school"
1T will break her heart !" said Bert,
with a very white face. can she
means me to be q doctor Oh, Miss
Benson, don't turn me out of school, >
he pleaded. II know I've been bad an
have cnt up capers. without end l lee
them in barring you out, an ] stopped
the stove chimney so that the room
filled with smoke, an put the net over
Tabs face that day she flew wild about
the room, an made the picture of yor
on the board, an | put the cobbler'
wax on the seats, an / did every othel
prank you ever accused me of; but
didn't tie up cayenne pepper in thos,
rags an set 'em smouldering all ovel
the room, so that you an all us scholars
would sneeze ourselves to death almost
an we'd have to have holiday"
He paused for want of breath, bu
after moment he went on.
81 did go for nuts, but I didn't dc
that trick to get off. ] didn't deny my
tricks afore, an [ wouldn't this time
Miss Benson leaned back in her chail
and regarded the boy critically, though
there was a tn Uitching about her lips.
"You see. Bert, she said, very quiet
ly, Zone bad boy will demoralize the
whole school, and for the sake of the
others you must go. I've been patient
with you, Bert. Have l not?" she
asked.
Yes'm, said Bert, with his eyes OF
the copper toes.
"And you understand that one boy
can set whole school wrong?"
"Yes'm."
"And you have continually been get
ting yourself and others into mis- chief p
"Yes'm."
"You are one of my brightest boys,
continued Miss Benson; land | know
that the boys who have most life anG
who IRE therefore apt to get into most
mischief often turn out to be our very
best and most capable men. And so
have thought that you might some day
become successful man, if could only
be latent with you and get you to be
have. Do you understand ?"
"Yes'm M" said Bert, humbly.
But j cannot have the whole schoo
spoiled to save one boy. had meant
If you owned up this time, to give you
one more chance; but when you told
a.
II didn't, said Bert.
Aud then, much to Bert'R astonish
ment, great tear rolled down Miss
Benson's face.
Bert's month ard handa twitchei