The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-09
Good for Evil.

answered by the whining of dog.
" You must go back; 60, say
More whining, and scrambliDg down
stairs then into the room came bright
pleasant-looking boy, evidently new
scholar.
81 would like to join the school, sir"
he said, politely, standing before MIR.
Martin.
"What is your name 2"
"Hamilton. Lee Hamilton"
"From what school have you come ? "
A blush tinged the boys face as he
answered, 81 have never been to school in
my life"
just then the door flew open, and in
bounced pretty little Skye terrier; he
paused an instant with one foot appraised,
then with joyful bark darted upon Lee,
capering and fawning about him in high
glee. Of course every scholar shouted
with laughter.
"That will dol said Mr.. Martin, ST.
lencing them. els it your dog, Lee ?"
Yes, sir" answered the boy blushing
and STOPPING to quiet the little creature,
who kissed his. face and then quietly
crawled under the teachers desk and
curled himself up for nap, evidently
satisfied to be where he could see his
young master. al left him at home"
continued Lee; "but he swan after me-"
"Swam after you? Where did you
come from Z" asked the teacher, with
surprise and interest.
"From the lighthouse" answered Lee.
"My grandfather is lightkeeper."
Mr.. Martin was still more astonished,
for the lighthouse stood upon ledge
five miles off, and the only approach by
water was through a dangerous channel
called The Gut. The water in this chan.
mel was never calm. 1t sucked through
with rushing swirl, beating restlessly
against great sunken rocks.
An examination proved that the boy
was not only well advanced for his age
but that he had been most thoroughly in.
structed by his mother, and he was placed
in the first-class. Before the day was
over, he had become very popular his
good scholarship won the respect of ALL
and the pupils found him obliging and
friendly.
"Did he ever swim after you before
to-day :" asked one Of the girls.
"No; he never went into the water.
Terriers are not water dogs, you know
But never left him before to-day. I
have always taken him with me wherever
l went, even to church; he would lie in
the porch and wait for me-"
Aren't you afraid to row through The
Gut :" asked Walter Irving, the head
boy of the school and the rich lawyers son
"No, know it well. My grandfather
| showed me how to take my boat through
all right"
"Walttr Irving has boat" said Tony
White.
"But my father won't let me take il
near The Gut" said Walter.
81 wouldn't 60 there myself, if didn't
have to-" said Lee. "It is scary I've
promised my mother never to cross in
stormy weather."
Walter bad easily held his place at the
head of the school, heretofore, but he
found very soon that he must work harder
than ever to keep it or the honor woulG
pass to Lee, whom he began to dislike OF
this account.
Everything went well for several weeks
except that, in spite of all efforts to keeI
him at home, Dart would go to school
If they tied him, he bit the rope. If they
chained him with collar, he slipped hi
small head through. If they attempted
to shut him up, he would manage to dodge
them, and away he would go, with fyine
leaps, over the ten-mile walk to the school
house, arriving often before his youne
master. Though tagged and draggled hi
would be so ridiculously happy that there
was nothing to do but to let him stay
Once or twice Walter had been disa
greeable, when Lees Rotations were
more correct than his owp, but generally
he had kept his modification to himself
while his dislike for Lee grew stronger
One day there was an exciting spelling
match, Walter leading one side and Lee
the other. For some time no one failed
then the words grew harder, and finally
only the leaders were left upon the floor
Phytivorous," said Mr.. Martin.
1t was Lees turn. "Phy" he began
"tiv land hesitated. Walters eye,
cleaned.
"Come," urged Mr.. Martin, "phy tivor
Gus animals feed on grass, herbs anC
plants"
Instantly there flashed through Lee's
mind former lesson with his mother one
wintry night in the light house, and III
seemed to hear her clear voice explain
ing the words of his lesson
"Phytivorous, feeding upon grass ant
herbs; graminivorous, feeding upon grass
alone; carnivorous, feeding upon flesh
insectivorous, feeding upon insects, etc
See, Lee, they are all o.rous." Quickly
he repronounced the word and spelt it
Curiously enough the very next one giver
out was graminivorous. Walter wa
puzzled.
"Gram," he began, and paused.
"a cow is graminivorous animal,
said Mr.. Martin, " feeding upon grass"
GRAM spelt Walter slowly, "i-niv
er-ous."
"Wrongl !" exclaimed Mr.. Martin a.
am sorry, Walter" And the word wa
passed to Lee, who spelled it correctly
The scholars clapped him as the victor
and he advanced to take the prize, thinking
only of how pleased his mother would be
Walter scowled, and when school wa
dismissed he seized his hat and turneC
into the hall. At the top of the stair
stood Dart waiting for his master.
SECT out of the way you've no bust
ness here, anyway" he exclaimed an
grily, and cruelty kicked the dog aside
Poor little Dart he staggered, lost hi
balance, and slipped between the stat
rails, falling with dull thud into the hal
below.
Walter was Mortified he rushed doWI