The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-20
9or he Ghilheu.
Yield Not to Temptation.

Guy Wood is leaving his home for the
dull routine of boarding-school life, and
we would listen to his fathers parting
Words
"Guy," he says, al want you to study
hard; let me be able to say, when you
return home again, that / am proud of
you. Remember, in you are centered all
my hopes, and want you to stand at the
head of your class. Do not disappoint
me. Goodbye, my son |"
He is off to the trials and triumphs OF
school-boy life.
Before handsome residence a gentle
man and his son are standing, waiting for
the carriage which is to separate them
for the Fl rst time. AS it is seen coming
up the magnificent tree-bordered drive,
we hear pnother fathers last words:
"Harry, do nothing to disgrace the
honored name of Stsunton do credit to
yourself and me, and you shall never
lack for chances the moment you place
a stain upon your name, you cease to be
what you now are, true man."
Another boy leaves the parental roof.
What will be his future?
n
A three.story red brick house, standing
in close contact to the street, bearing, ap.
parently without a murmur, the dust and
dirt of busy town life (though to be
sure each year leaves its trace on the
smoke-begrimed walls), Boosting of moth
ing in the way of grounds, save a narrow
gravel walk, bordered by few struggling
blades of grass-Histon House. For
twenty years, at least, boys of all ages had
passed up the broad stone steps and en-
tered the dark, solemn-looking hall, to
come forth again after two, four, or even
six years, with joyous anticipations,
mingled perhaps with just a. few sad
thoughts of farewell; and still the throng
anne and went.
DIR. Hea the honored and respected
head and principal of this somewhat cele-
brated boarding-school for boys, was a
man feared by few, loved by many, and
respected by all and yet on the morning
on which our story opens, he looked what
he really was, the very embodiment of a
perplexed and annoyed man. To tell the
truth, DR.. Hea was doing something
which he very seldom INDUCED in, viz,
wondering whether keeping boys board
ing-school was really his vocation or call
ing. A very few moments thought set
tied the question, and passing from the
study with a determined look, which
BODIED i'll for any wrong-doers, he gave the
school-bell three sharp pulls, then took
his place with the other masters upon the
school.room platform. The large room
was soon filled with seventy eager, ex.
cited boys, ranging in age from aboat ten
to seventeen. AS soon as all was silent,
DR.. Hea rose, and, taking slip of paper
from his pocket, said, in tones stern,
though quiet:
"Hsrry Staunton, please step this way
A suppressed murmur OF surprise ran
through the room as a handsome, manly,
and at the same time, mischievous-look-
ing boy of fifteen, took his stand at the
large desk which was known among the
boys as the doctors recollection-box, for
names of all the boys who had received
an education at Histon House, the other
contained notes and jottings concerning
all the black sheep of the flock. For a
moment DR.. Hea looked into the black
eyes which met his so unfnchingly, then
handing the paper to Harry, said
I" Is that your writing Z"
" 1t is, sir.'
"Were you in the study yesterday ?"
81 was in about four o'clock, sir" came
the answer in quiet tone.
"Did you take from my drawer FIVE
pound note ?"
For moment the color left Harry's
face; then, coming step nearer, he said
"You ask son of Dr.. Stauntons il
he is guilty of stealing 7"
81 ask you what, under the circum
stances, Stanton, should be forced to
ask any other boy. Answer me, please"
"Then did not"
The boys were then separately ques
toned, and after each and all had denied
any knowledge of the loss, DIR. Hea left
the room, bidding all remain silent. Fol
half an hour not word was spoken, mo-
laugh reached the teachers ears, ant
then the door opened, and DR.. Hea, aftel
few words with the Head Master, ad
dressed himself to the boys in word
which none ever forgot.
"Boys," he said, you have heard VIVA
has been said, you have drawn your owl
opinions, and while most of you will NJ
doubt be slow TO believe that Harry Staur
ton, whom you have always found to b.
the soul of honor, can be guilty of theft
my hard and painful duty remains-woult
to God it were otherwise" and for mo
ment emotion overcame him then con
trolling himself, he said, " You know tn
circumstances. A fve-pound note ha
disappeared from the drawer of my secre
tary, Harry Staunton has been seen com
ing from the room, and paper contain
ing his writing has been found on tn
carpet. Now as you all know my librar
to be forbidden place, there remains bu
one question for me to ask your schoo
mate, Harry, what were you in my roor
for p"
Not q word came from the firmly presse
lips of the boy who stood so unfiinchingl
before him.
I" 1 must have an answer" said the dot
tor, in tone which none dare disobey.
"Then, DR.. Hea, refuse to answe
that question"
For a moment the master of Histo
House looked surprised then, seeing this
further questioning would be useless, h
turned to the pupils, saying:
"Once more l ask, does anyone preser
know anything. of this painful matter
If you have committed this sin, and sti
remain silent, think what you are doini
You place stain upon an innocent boy
character-a stain which may pave ii
wav IN his ruin You Deriure VOur oW