The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1886-10-10
ARBITRATION.

were perspiring freely and the girls faces
blazing under the warming influence.
Guy Lesey, the teacher, was waxing hot
and cross in his struggles with the first
grammar class, which also felt the demon
alizing effect of half-pastthree.
Sam Cone, boy who did chores
nights and mornings, and had four miles
to drive. was excused, as usual, before the
others, and shambled out.
In two minutes, however, he returned,
and was met by the fierce inquiry from
the pedagegue-"What you back again,
| for?"
Say, Mr.. Lesey," drawled Sam, "a
can't get my sleigh nohow."
Your sleigh! Where is it?" questioned
| the master
"Why, up on top of the shed; the boys
pat 1t there this noou"
"Who has been meddling with Sam
Cones sleighH' questioned the exasper-
ated Guy, with an air of complete disgust
at boy depravity 'Now shall ask each
boy in this school-room; and be sure you
give me truthful answer, now"
Suiting the action to the word, he put
the question to every urchin, receiving
prompt answer in the negative.
All but Nathan Burns, an open faced
refined looking boy of fifteen, who an
swered, frankly, Il didn't do 1t, but l
know who did,"
.'Oh, you DOR exclaimed Mr.. Lesey;
"weli, who was it?"
Nathan looked up in unfeigned surprise
at the question. why, you don't expect
me TO tell on him. do your" he said.
HnNfo .lxr d. s.~,. Il IL.
said the other, angrily.
Really, can't sir" was the respectful
reply.
'You can'tl Well see abou. that" and
Lesey. thoroughly mad. as the boys said.
jerked Nathan by The coat collar and held
him menancingly. Young man, III
give you just two minutes to tell the
boys name. If you don't, punishment
will surely follow"
Now Nathan Jones was favorite with
the professor; and had this not been one
of his ''cross days" his treatment would
have been as unexpected as it was unjust.
As the two faced each other, The sympa-
thy of the school was plainly with Ma
than; and well it might be, for he, with a
white face and look of fixed purpose
ia his deep blue eyes, was thoroughly
master of himself, which Lesey, his face
purple with rage, was far from being.
He impatiently watched the clock, tick
ing loudly on bis desk; and Nathan, with
compressed lips, stood perfectly quiet, his
eyes raised coolly, but not de6antly, to
his masters face.
The girls over in the corner were in
high state of indignation.
..Dearl wish he'd ask u.s." whispered
quiet Nell Price. an unwonted CLEAN in
her hazel eyes; Ell"
Whispering on the girls side" thun-
dered Lesey, bringing down his olsen
gagged hand upon the desk with re-
sounding thump; "the next one hear ]
''But, Mr.. Lesey," pleaded Nell, sud-
den bright color coming into her pale
face, Nathan isn't to blame; saw Dave
Jones put the sleigh myself"
SIS that SOP" demanded the irate peda-
gogue of that young man "a shock-headed
youth on the back seat. Thus confronted.
he reluctantly owned up, and received
the Gaming which would otherwise have
fallen upon the shoulders of Nathan; and
Sam Gone went rejoicing homeward with
has recovered property.
''Ho, ho" sneered Dave the moment
school was dismissed; s'before I'd be
helped out by girl. Nate Burns!"
We'll. thank your stars that you
WEREN'T responded Nat, good humoredly
at which the boys laughed and Dave
sneaked off.
But not SO quickly was the matter dis
missed by the excited pupils, to whom the
will and the deed were synonymous; and
TO this day the injustice and cruelty to
Nathan is remembered and commented
upon by the gray haired inhabitants of
Hilltown.
Twenty years later the same school
room Is occupied, but instead of the pro-
lessor young man holds the reins OF gov
ernment. He is a college graduate, more
ambitious Tor success in his chosen life
work than for reputation of fastness-
for earnest Christian principle eschewing
the little indulgences of cigars and Ivory
bills, and he strongly disapproves of
cards. His manly character has, at the
close of the first week, won the respect of
bis pupils-ah quite ready to vote him
Gully"
But the first day of the second week, as
Mr.. Hayes returns from dinner, he finds
the boys have taken advantage Of the
rainy day to assemble in the school room,
and are deep in the mysteries of progress
sive whist.
Without seeming to notice them, Mr..
Hayes goes to his desk, and is evidently
absorbed in his paper But he is biding
his time, and when they have finished that
game he walks easily TO the nearest boy
and remarks careIessly; Playing games,
boys?"
Eyes; don't you play? politely offering
him chair.
'.No; I have never played cards." he
answered, taking the seat; "but I've been
good deal interested in this, drawing
from his pocket the familiar game of
Logomachy.
The boys have never seen it, and gather
eagerly around him. while he explains,
and finally says: Suppose we try
oana "