Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-07-19
My example set off others like hair

Our InCrrlmcnt broke loose ike an
avalanche, gathering strength as it
went; and, as with noisy ROSTERS at a
poultry show, one flt of cackling and
growing had no sooner begun to spend
itself than another was raised to pro-
woke fresh inextinguishable outbursts
on every hand.
For a minute or two Mr.. Greig's
voice was drowned in the din, as he
sprang from his seat, and, noticing
how our eyes were all directed one
way, at length he turned round, saw
what was on the blackboard, and
started in establishment and ruffled in
dignation.
Reece afterwards asserted that he
jumped two feet into the air; but
Reece could hardly have been calm
observer at this point. If he had any
doubt as to who was the subject of the
picture, our redoubled laughter must
have told him the truth.
Now, if had been Mr.. Greig think
should have passed over the matter
good humoredly, pretended not to re-
cognize the caricature- all events,
wiped it off and said no more about it.
But if l had been Mr.. Greig, indeed, l
might also have failed for self posses
sion to take such sensible view.
There could be no mistake about his
having thoroughly lost his temper, and
our mirth soon sobered down when we
saw how angry he was.
He stormed over the insult which,
he declared, had been purposely offered
him, and denounced dreadful ven
geance on the head of the audacious
artist.
Stand up, the boy who did It'll Let
him confess this moment, or it will be
the worse for him in the endl' he
Numbered, and seemed ready to make
an onslaught forthwith on the revealed
culprit.
Nobody, however, responded to this
invitation.
Some Of us looked slyly at Reece;
but he never moved, being effectually
cowed by the storm his i'll timed han
diwork had called forth.
II am determined to know. I will
not let him escaped" ragged Mr.. Greig.
Every boy here must answer me, one
by one; and if you persist in refusing
to confess, l will put the whole matter
into the hands Of the professor. Do
you know anything about this9" he
said, addressing himself to the boy
nearest him.
mo, SIR" was the staggering an
swer-a truthful one, for this little
fellow had come into the room after
the teacher.
"And your"
He turned next to Reece. and those
of us in the secret were all ears to hear
what he would say.
Perhaps It may have been one of
Mr. Wilson's boys, sir" said Reece,
trying to look unconcerned.
Mr.. Wilson's class was the one which
We were a little astonished at his
GOODNESS.
l have known indignant exclama-
tons of "Ohr' uttered when an I'M
popular fellow gave such shutting
reply; but schoolboy morality is, l
fear, much matter of moods and cir.
cumstances and this time we all held
our tongues
|, for one, was prepared to back
Reece up in not betraying him. We
held, indeed, that the teacher had no
business to put such sweeping ques-
tons, as Mr.. Greig would hardly have
done if he had not been in such rage
Don't try to put the blame on Mr..
Wilson's boys. You must know and
you must tell me. Stand up. next
boy"
1t was Harry whose turn now came
TO be interrogated-sorely at q loss
when the teacher peremptorily de-
manded of him:
DO you know who did thisa"
Harry knew very we'll. He had
laughed, among the rest, at Recess
work; and had been scarcely able to
keep his countenance ever since Mr.
Greig came into the room.
Now he stood dumb and confused,
wanting even presence of mind to
take refuge in the conventional II
would rather not say, SIR" yet I'M
willing to get out of it by telling a
distinct lie.
His distress was evident, and the
teacher misinterpreted that awkward
silence of his; indeed, it was SO un-
usual to see Harry with downcast
eyes and flushed cheeks, that Mr.
Greig might well be not alone in
jumping to false conclusion.
~ am glad to find you at least
ashamed of yourself" he cried, an
grily, and made step forwards, as if
to strike the boy.
But he only dragged him on to the
floor, made him take buster and wipe
out the obnoxious caricature. Then,
putting a check on his feelings, he
said, coldly:
Every well "-his favorite phrase
when things were very ill-"you will
speak to me about this after school.
Not another word for the present"
We were all concerned for Harry,
whether or no we knew how the case
really stood. Those who did looked
curiously at Reece; but he made no
sign. l little envied his feelings dur
ing the rest of the lesson hour, which
must have seemed a very long one to
him. When it was over, and we had
to leave Harry alone with the offend
ed teacher, the rest of us hung about
the door, eager to know what would
happen to him. Of one thing we were
s1re-that he wOu1d not 'ita1l avaY