Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-03-02

front and stand there; if need be, fight
there. Give every one their rights. but
stick to your own also. -
Robert grasped his fathers hand
tightly for answer, and as he did so they
stopped before the gates which admitted
them to the enclosure. Not a boy was
visible. They were in the schoolroom
preparing the next days lessons, and
the master exhibited the long hall full of
desks and forms and sullen or giggling
boys, with a great deal of pride.
The next day Robert was formally en-
tered among them. In the main they
were not specially cruel, but if there
was any bad thing in a boy, it was sure
to be developed in the boarding school of
that day. Petty tyrannies of all kinds
were rampant there; SO also were petty
receptions. FavoTitism dominated all
rules and laws, and favoritism was
usually bought in some way or other. It
was easy for lads to be kind and braye,
and honorable, in circumstances which
would have demoralized any like num-
Der of men.
Robert suffered at every point, and his
natural timidity was aggravated by the
knowledge that the masters eyes were
greedily watching for trips and blunders.
When he had 4 lesson to write, it was
always perfect; when he had one to re-
cite, the words came to the tip of his
tongue and then refused to be articu-
lated. His dumb shyness was called
Ignorance, - "obstinacy,' - 'sidIe-
ness,'' or any other name which was
warrant enough for brutal punishment.
The boys, who could not conceive of a
disposition so alien to their own, dubbed
him coward - and esteemed him So
Others, who would have sought his
alliance, were offended at d nicely of
honor which refused partnership in
secret disobedience. So that when even
fragrant injustice was done him, the ma
jority sided with the master. HE is so
stupid - $50 obstinate, - $50 much
better than other fellows - they said.
YEARLY the days went by, frightened
only by his mothers weekly letter, and
by the genuine delight he took in acquir-
ing knowledge. After the first two
months he gave up all attempts to con-
ciliate, or to make friends. In the midst
of the noisy crowd of boys he lived life
into which none entered, life of mental
toll, which he enjoyed, and Of physical
wrong and suffering, which he believed
no one pitied.
In the latter idea he was little wrong.
vents cheek flush with anger at his tor
mentors, and his eyes sent a quick mes
sage, which Robert could feel better than
he could understand. Yet Derwent did
not sympsthiZe with him openly, and he
never interfered in his behalf. But he
was naughty and reticent youth, who
held himself very much aloof from the
other pupils. Indeed, he had in the
school quite different position. He sat
at the masters private table, he had
horse of his own to ride, and boy in the
Derwent livery to wait on him. Some
times he condescended to recite with his
classes, more frequently tutor was sent
to his room to hear his lessons and correct
his exercises.
From these facts any boy will imagine
the kind of a life which Robert Foster
led. Nothing varied it but such change
as the season bFought-the cold, and the
early snow, and the difficulty of studying
and reading by the few blinking candles
allowed in the schoolroom.
One December afternoon Robert was
sent to the nearest village on a message
for the master. He was always ready to
take such solitary walks, and this day
several little circumstances made it
particular luxury. He stepped rapidly
in spite OF the melting snow aud the
drifting YapoTs from the fells, for the
cold was a wet cold, keen and penetrat-
ing. and his own heart burning thoughts
found relief in the stubborn eagerness of
his resolute movements.
When he returned it was nearly dark
He was tired and cold. His feet were
wet, his fingers numb, and he had such
q heartaehe that not even the thought of
Christmas, only seventeen days off could
comfort the gloomy hour. The boys
were standing round the schoolroom fire
in crowd. James Musgrave, one of the
tallest. had a newspaper in his hand.
and he had evidently been reading aloud
from it, for Philip Kent held candle
near him, and the effect of the informa-
ton vas on every face. Some were talk
ing eagerly. some whispering together.