The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-20

general air of ruffianism. When he
was called upon to read he did not rise
from his seat, but began to read in a
thick, indistinct voice from book hid
den in his lap.
"Mr. Bradley, will you please stand
up when you read ?" asked Alice.
al can read Just as we'll settin' down.
replied the fellow with logged air.
"But it is one of the rules in read
ing class to stand up to read" said
Alice, her heart quaking with fear as
she foresaw the incipient rebellion.
Il reckon you will have to make
new rule for me them" impudently an
swered Nose. CHANGING sideways at his
companions with grin of triumph.
IF you do not obey me shall be
obliged to punish you," said Alice,
bravely, though she could scarcely
stand up.
Il guess all the punishment you could
do wouldn't break any of my bones,'
replied the ruffian, leering at her impu-
IDENTIFY.
"But I can break your bones for you
don't stand up and read as the teacher
asked you to-" said voice at the other
end of the class, and Alice looked in
the direction and saw Jim Turner step
from the class and fee the astonished
Nose.
Moses insolent manner abated in an
instant, his face turned pale, and he
muttered something about not being
"bossed by other boys" but he stood
up as he was commanded.
Alice could have kissed her young
champion for very gratitude, but she
mustered all the dignity she could COM
mand, and said:
"Mr. Turner, L cannot allow you to
interfere in the management of my
school; take your seat"
The youth obeyed without a word,
but kept his eye on Nose, as if watch
ing for any delinquency. After this
little episode the exercises proceeded
without interruption till noon.
Alice had no appetite for dinner. She
leaned her throbbing head upon the
desk and wondered YEARLY 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
fghting!" She followed the child, ex-
claiming: "Oh, why did 1 ever come
into such den of wild beasts?" At
the rear of the schoolhouse 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 Keeling to the earth, and
then turned like lion upon his two re-
naming assailants. They rushed at
him from two sides, but Jim was as
active as panther, and Bill Bradley
fell as If shot, from a left-handed blow,
and his brother Tom followed him in
ON 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 discounted trio arose Jim
laughed lightly and asked them show
they liked it as far as they had got"
picked the bat he had taken from Nose
and called out, Come on, boys, let's
have q game of ball.
The combat ended so quickly that
Alice had no chance to interfere, but
she felt that it would not do to let this
open violation of school rules pass I'M
punished, so she rang the bell. When
the pupils were assembled she called
the culprits up to the desk, and asked
what the fight was about and who be-
gan it. The Bradleys stood sullen and
silent, but Jim answered, Il would
rather not tell what it was about, but L
began it by knocking Nose Bradley
down" Alice knew the fight was the
result of Jim's espousal of her cause In
the reading class. and her voice faltered
as she said: "Then shall have to pun
ish you; hold ont your hand"
Jim obeyed her instantly. She took
up the ruler with trembling hand and
began the punishment. Jim's face
never changed q muscle. The look
upon it was one of quiet obedience in
which there was no trace of either
bravado or sullenness. AS Alice in
ficted the blows upon the hand so
Quietly held out to her, the thought
rushed upon her mind that she was
smiling the only hand that had been
raised to befriend her in that lawless
region.
Her face grew pale, the blows fell
falteringly, the tears began to run down
her cheeks, the ruler fell from her
hand, she sank into her seat, buried
her face in her hands, and burst into a
storm of sobs.
Then Jim's countenance changed.
His lip quivered, he dashed his hand
across his eyes to clear them Of I'M
natural dimness, and the great lump
in his throat seemed to choke him. A
chuckle from Nose Bradley recalled
his self-possession, however, and he
took step or two toward the latter
with eyes that fairly blazed with hot
Indignation.
Nose rapidly retreated step or two,
and his chuckle died an untimely
death, and for full minute silence
reigned over the school room. At last
Alice raised her head aud in broken
voice dismissed the pupils to the play
ground.
As the children passed out sho heard
some say, $50 you got whipping
after all, JIM" and Jin's reply, "Yes,
and / pot enouUh IN mass some of IL