The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-27
he master called them to order, and

there was a sharp ring, as of pain,
in the grave, stern tones which said
Faith Grey can stop after school
tonight" That was all, and, with
out casting a look in the direction OF
the young girl, the business of the
day went on as usual, but each and
all understood that trifing was at
an end, and even Faiths rosy cheeks
paled little as she glanced at the
stern, quiet face.
1t had been a hard day for the
young master, an it was no wonder
If his patience was exhausted. In the
morning one of his largest scholars,
a half witted Frenchman, had en-
tered late and Immediately COM
menced to laugh, and all the infor-
nation that could be elected from
him was that he guessed "the two
year-old would get full by and by"
and again his fat sides would shake
with laughter. He was a great, over
grow fellow of sixteen, who worked
for his board at farm about a mile
from school, and at noon his en-
ployer presented himself at the
schoolhouse, and in loud, angry
tones ordered him never to darken
his doors again.
1t appeared that the spring where
the cattle had been in the habit of
drinking was formed by lowering a
barrel into the ground, and all
around it was very slippery with ice,
and as the clown had driven them
to drink, the "two-year-old" had
slipped and fallen in head first, and
being unable, to get out alone, the
Frenchman had left it to get full'
while he went to school. When found
by the farmer the animal was
drowned. Although the schoolmas-
ter could not blame the farmer for
his Indignation, yet the circustance
annoyed him exceedingly; and if one
might be allowed to judge by the
look of determination on his white,
stern face, Faith was likely to feel
the full force of his authority, and
even her stout heart quailed little
us the shadows heightened and the
day drew near it's close.
The last lesson had been recited,
the last class had stood up to spell;
the evening hymn had been sung,
and at last school closed, the
scholars filing out of the house in
good order and with a strange
quietness and dispatch, wrapping
about them their shawls, hoods and
comforters. Faith, with the roses
all gone from her dimpled cheeks.
was sitting at her desk, white and
still. For a few moments, which
seemed like an eternity to her, the
master sat at his desk with head
bowed upon his hands. The short
winters day was drawing to close,
and one solitary sunbeam, red as
blood, streamed through the window
and lay across the desk exactly in
front of her, and to the day of her
death Faith will carry a vivid in
ward picture of that little school
room, for every article which it COLI
tanned was indelibly impressed upon
her mind in those few moments.
At last the master raised his head
and in low tones said:
"Miss Faith, you may come here"
At the sound of his voice the blood
rushed back to the cheek which had
been SO pale but a moment ago, and
her courage revived. She arose
and with firm step walked
across the room and stood before
him, and as their eyes met she re-
turned his gaze unfinchingly. His
was a sad, beseechinglook, as though
he would urge her to beg his forgive
ness. Hers was a mixture offun and
anger combined, but certainly they
showed no signs of sorrow. AS he
arose to his feet his huge form lowered
like q giant above her, and reaching
over his desk he grasped bis ferule.
"Hold out your handp'
And more in sorrow than in anger
he looked to see if his command WIS
obeyed.
The words were jerked forth IT'S
though they caused the speaker I'M
told pain. Faith obeyed, although
the white lids covered the brown eyes
and the long eyelashcs swept over
cheeks as white as the snow outside.
She had never received a blow in
her life, and she shivered as the
tips of her slender fingers were
firmly grasped, and one short, sharp,
singing blow descended upon the
white palm, leaving a crimson mark
that curiously reminded her of the
blood red sunbeam as it lay across
the desk. The ferulc was raised for
blow when again their eyes
met, but from the brown ones the
anger was gone, and they were full
of tears and mute pleadings, and
with a dull thud the ferule dropped
to the floor, and the girl was clasped
to his heart in q wild, passionate
embrace.
In after years, when she was the
loved and honored wife ofthe states
man who began his career as q dis
trict schoolteacher, Faith was won't
to say that the keeping up ofappear-
ances that others might not know
what had occurred was the hardest
lesson she had ever learned. 1t was
to become the docile pupil
which she now longed to be without
exciting suspicion, and for eight
weeks she acted her part in a man.
ner worthy OF the most finished ac-
tress; and to this day it is an unset
tied question between them as to
which conquored,-True Flag.
Ready With an Answer.
Benjamin F. Butler, in the early