South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-08-25
CAYENNE PEpPER.

'uuiSiicV ootu teoctteF anu SCHOLARS
more than all the Others, was played
OH certain afternoon iu the late au.
tumn.
ii Bert Sherman had moi been the
most roguish hoy in school, perhaps
he would not have been held to such
strict account for what had been done.
hut the next morning ut recess,
Hert was summoned TO the teachers
desk.
i didn't doit,' he said, in self.de.
fence, before the teacher had time to
ask a question. For he xuew we'll e.
nough what was coming.
Don't you know it is wicked TO tell
a lie 2 asked Miss henson, in severe
tone.
'Yes'm. answered Bert, looking
dawn at his worn copper-toes, and
rafting In,trbits, slate pencils and
iack-knives in his pocket.
i ann sorry, Bert said Miss Ben.
son, still nare severely, yet with u
suggestion at tears in her eyes; .had
thought you were above lie
i ann said Bert, drawing himself
up proudly aud looking ;,ugrily at the
teacher.
Miss Renson was puzzled. but rs
Eert dropped his head again, she con.
tinned, sadly:
IF | had not had faith in your
tratltulncss-ior this is the first time
you have ever denied my accusations
--and If it had not been for your RIO.
ther, who works so hard to support
you, should have expelled you long
ago. ipt this time there is no duubt
about your guilt. You we're the on
~ ahe IN the room just before the last
session yesterday you had begged for
u holiday t" go hutting, and had been
refused, and you did 30, hear, after
you lad succeeded in breaking mp the
school. | could forgive it all if YOU
bad owned up honorably. But this
deliberate untruth'-
Il didn't tell lie.' Bert almost
shpu,cd.
This is gctting worse and worse
continued Miss 3ensol, quietly. 10
set the Whole school snceZing with red
pepper, 80 that the session had TO he
arnken up, was bad enough but TO
tell a
j didn't. | didn't! didn't said
Bert, III fierce, qniet tones; lie WAS
too mnch excited to speak loud.
Ills blue eyes flashed, his hands
were clinclied. He looked as if he
would fight the accusation TO the
death.
Il saw YOU come ont Of the room
Just before the bell rung,' said Miss
Benson, ia voice of settled convic-
ION, There was no one else in the
rnom therefore, you must have done
IT. Fake your stand in the middle
oi the roam, aud when yon 60 home
this noon tell your mother you are
dismissed from the school,
1T will break her heartr said Bert,
with very Witty face. AN she
means me TO he a doctor! O, Miss
fcnsou, don't turn me ont of school,
he pleaded. i know Eve been bad
an have cut M capcrs without end.
| led them IN barring you out. an
stopped the stove chimney so that the
room tiIled with smoke, an put the
net over Tabs face that day She flew
wild about tho roam an | put the
cobblers wax on the seats, an | did
every other prank You ever accused
me of; but | didn't tie up cayenne
pepper IN those rags an set 'cm
slnouldering all over the room, so
that you an all US scholars would
snecze ourselves to death almost
an we'd have to have a holiday.
lie paused for want of breath, but
alter moment lie went on.
i did go for nuts, but / Didn't do
that trick to get off | didn't deny
nay tricks atore, an ! wouldn't this
time
Miss Benson leaned back in her
CLAIR and regarded the boy critically
though there was twitching about
her lips.
'Iou see, Bert she said. very oui.
city, zone bad boy will demoralize the
"lIoIe school, and Tor tie sake of the
others YOU must 90 I've been pa.
ueht with you, Bert. Have | not !?
she asked.
'Yes'm, sail Bert, with his eyes on
the copper toes.
AndyOu understand that one hoy can
act q whOlc SCHOOL wrong 2 'Yes'm.'
Aud yOu have continually been
getting yourself aud others into mis-
chietP y cs'm.'
'Yon arc one ofmy brightest boys
continued Miss Benson and ] know
that the boys who have most lite and
WHO are therefore apt To- get into most
mischief ofteu turn out to be our verp
best aud most capable men. And So
] lave thought that you might some
day become a successful man. if I
could ouly be patieut with you and
get you to behave. Do you under.
stand?
Gcs'ni,' said Bert. humbly.