The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-03-20

companions with grin OF triumph.
If you do not obey me ] shall be
obliged to punish you," said Alice.
brayely, though she could scarcely
stand up.
II guess NIL the punishment you could
do wouldn't break any OF my bones"
replied tho ruflian, lcering at her impu-
IDENTIFY.
"But I can break your bones for you
in half minute, and I'll do it If you
don't stand up and read as tho teacher
asked you TO-" said voice ut tho other
end Of the class, and Alice looked in
the direction and saw Jim Turner step
from the class and co the astonishcd
Nose.
Noses insolcnt manner nhated in nm
instant, his face turned pale, and he
muttered something about not being
'bossed by other boys" but ho stood
ND as he was commanded.
Alice could have kissed her young
champion for very gratitude, but sho
mustered all the dignity she could COM
mand, and said:
"Mr. Turner. cannot allow you to
interfere in the management Of my
school: take your scat.
The youth oIeyed without a word,
but kept his eye on Nose, rs if watch
ing for any delinquency. After this
little episode tho exercises proceeded
without interruption till noon.
Alice had no appetite for dinner. She
leaned her throbbing head upon the
desk and wondered wearily how long
she could endure this.
She was aroused by one Of the little
girls running up to her, exclaiming
Teacher, teacher, the big boys are
tighnng!" She followed the child, ex-
claiming: "Oh, why did / ever come
into such n den Of wild beasts?' At
the rear of the schooihouse stood Jim
Turner engaged in hand-to-hand com.
bat with Nose Bradley and his two
brothers, both Of whom were grown.
As Alice stepped around the corner
Jim sent Nose reeling to the earth, end
then turned like lion upon his two re-
naming assa ,lants. They rushed at
him from two sides, but Jim was as
active as panther, and Bill Bradley
fell as il shot, from left-handed blow,
and his brother Tom followed him in
an instant. BY this time Nose had So.
cured ball bat and rushed upon Jim,
but the latter evaded the blow. and,
wrenching the bat from his hand,
knocked Nose headlong with blow Of
his fist.
As tho discomfited trio arose jim
laughed lightly and asked them "hoN
they liked it rs far as they had got.
picked the bat he had taken from Nose
and called out, "Come on, boys, lets
have game of ball."
The combat ended 80 quickly that
Alice had no chance to interfere, bni
she felt that it would not do to lot this
open violation Of school rules pass un
punished, so she rang the bell. Wher
the pupils were assembled she called
the culprits up to the desk, and asket
what the fight was about and who be
gan it. The Bradleys stood sullen ant
silent. but Jim answered, Il would
| rather not tell what it was about, but
began it by knocking Nose Bradle,
down." Alice knew the fight was tn.
result of Jim's espousal Of her cause il
the reading class. and her voice falterc,
rs she said: "Then shall have to pun
ish you; hold out your hand
Jim obeyed her Instantly. She tool
up the ruler with q trembling hand ane
began the punishment. Jim's fac,
never changed . muscle. The lool
upon it was ono of quiet obedience il
| which there was no trace of eithel
bravado or sullenness. As Alice in
tlicted the blows upon the hand $,
quietly held out to her, the though
rushed upon hcr mind that she wa
shifting the only hand that had beel
raised to befriend her in that lawles
region.
Her face grew pale, the blows fel
falteringly, the tears began to run lowl
her cheeks, tho ruler fell from he
0Ad, she sank into her seat. hurie,
her face in her hands, and burst into
storm Of sohs.
Then Jim's countenance changed
His lip quivered, he dashed his han,
across his eyes to clear them Of un
natural dimneSs, and the great lum]
in his throat seemed to choke him. !
chuckle from Nose Bradley recalle,
his self-possession, however, and h
took step or two toward the latte
with eyes that fairly blazed with ho
indignation.
Nose rapidly retreated step or two
and his chnckle died an nntimel
death, and for a full minute silenc
reigned over the school, room. At las
Alice raised her head and in broke
voice dismissed the pupils to the pla,
ground.
As the children passed out she hear,
some say. $50 you got a whipping
after all, Jim, and Jim's reply. -ies
and l got enough to pass some Of
around If anybody is anxious about it.
| At o'clock Alice rang the bell wit
q feeling Of utter despair; but no schoo
ever moved more smoothly than did he
school that afternoon. Quiet obedience
study, good lessons, and respectful al
tention W. re universal. But Alice ha,
determined to quit the school: she fol
as if she would rather he the poorcs
washerwoman than to be badgered
bullied. and tortured for months at
time by set Of brutal rufiians. who's
parents employed her for the sole pun
pose Of enduring this martyrdom.
so when Alice locked the schoolhous
door that evening it was with mingle
feeling of relief and humiliation tina
she started to offer her resignation /
the directors. As she left the school
house she saw Jim Turner few yard
ahead of her, walking rapidly towar
home. She called his name, and h
stopped and respectfully waited unit
she lad oyertaken him.
MIR. Turner" she said. Il am gain
away in the morning, and / wish /
thank You for your brave defense Of m
in the school to-day, and to ask You
forgiveness for the punishment SO III
justly inflicted on YOU" and in he
earnestness Alice held out her lttls
trembling hand, and Jim Instant
grasped it.
Il have nothing to forgive" said liz
"you could not 10 otherwise, and ne
ther could l !; but you are surely not in
tending 10 quit the school?'
"les." answered Alice, II wout