The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-04-10
..OuR BOYS.o

Shortly after / took charge of a large
town school an incident occurred that
showed me how little dependence there
k'to be placed in the honor or truthful-
ness Of an average big boy, During
recess the pupils were in the habit of
writing with chalk on the blackboards
that completely surrounded the school
room. This so filled the room with
chalk dust that the breathing was diff
cult, SO | forbade the writing. One
day when | had been out with the pu-
piis in the yard, I came TO. the school
room door and saw Master Tommy
Atkins alone in the room industriously
writing the sentence "Do not write on
The blaekboards. / quietly withdrew
without the boys notice, and when /
next entered the room was empty.
When school was called the eyes of all
were turned to the audacious hand
Writing on the wall. When quiet was
restored I said: ,s.sa ...s 81 ...EFs q
'tWhowrote that sentenceP" 5ss.i Z
There'was no answer. - s't.S itfs =
Now said I, ''the chances are that
those. words were written by some one
now in this room. [ intend to find out
who is the culprit. The crime is not a
great one, but if to it is added persist
ent faisehood it will become serious, In
my eyes at least, Let the pupil who
disoheyed have the manliness to stand
up and acknowledge his fault before
the school,"
No one stood up. The boys looked at
each other. but no one moved. @
swell, all that did not writeI that
sentence stand. - --~--.----
Like one boy the whole school arose
70 It's feet, Atkins among the rest.
next had each boy stand up sepa-
IIsEeiy, and asked him. on his honor If
ae bad written the line. / Ishalf never
lofget the lookesof honest indignation
With which. Thomas Atkins denied all
knowledge of the writing. When this
elimination was over there was a mo-
ment Of painful silence. "a M 81
heils boys, Isaid, cit just amounts
y TINS: L things remain as at present
Me mputation rests on the whole
Na0os. II any Of you can suggest a
s.nedy, shall be pleased to hear it. y
mere was an indignantmurmur over
Ae room, and one boy rose to his feet
l think, Mr.. Jones.h' be said, s..that
wy are wrong in blaming US. all for
4ass one has done. IF had written on
sss,l as BOARD | would have stood up and
4 believe you, " ans answered. r1sal' ,..i / /.
linen why not believe us all, said
sssfaA voices at once. s7sE8es@ ~ s1sFse
~ VII be glad to do SO at the mo-
@ent you convince me that the hand
aa1g came there in a similar manner
naat at Belshazzar's feast. None soi
~ ~ 1saaeFe that, so, as said before, dc
= eliEpu seq away nut of the woods g.
nnoener boy rose to his feet, giggled
sTrsplnent and sat down again. =. -.
Hlae whole school laughed-boy ma
" eSaetly-the one moment serious.
next one 2 giggle.. s.i'.,@p as M ...s
po,'. 'aass John; what suggestion have
ssgn oners Don't be bashful. ~ p $
.Ii,Ynh IigYnh rose again, looked half comic
nists ssound and said with suppressed
ans = al~itsl sss8sis i,t5a sssgsf5I
so. Aen | went to school down Easi
eorss s Oae broke pane, and the master
sss ssa : md out VINO it was, so he be-
evsra ea = one end OF the room and whipped
.sIsse III scholar inlthe building"
sl,,;. ;a.eh. John, = / said, ii attended q
Saa.,.. ,,,'l..t matinee myself once when I was
aaS The plan has the merit of In.
cF,sig the eulprit, yel fancy tho rest
go pupils might consider 1t unfair. =
BOY now steed UP again,
a.. -, ~ sls 's'.7a