Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-08-11
FOR PARENTS ONLY.
He Was the Youngest Boy Ever Gained
I'm Schopl

in School.
have Just returned home from an even.
ing at the play, or rather from visiting my
friends, the Robinsons.
Robinson, an amiable man except when
his shoelace breaks, sat alone and glum
in the study. His teeth were clinched, his
face was pale and he stared hard at the
fire. He welcomed me with an effort and
then forgot me. eis a business man and
am not: so l concluded that stocks or
lebentures had fallen or risen (or what
ever it is these things do to plunge those
who know what they are in despair)
tried the drawing room and there found
the two little girls crying, Mrs. Robinson
on the couch, with her face to the wall
This was serious, and seemed to me to
mean at least corner" in stocks.
1t was not stocks, however, my hostess
told me from behind a handkerchief, it
was Bobby. Had not her husband shown
me "the letter?'
Bobby is the heir, aged seven. l softly
withdrew from the drawing room and re-
turned to Robinson, who, with trembling
arm, handed me "the letter" 1t was from
the master of school to which Bobby goes
by train daily, except during the brdnest-
ing season, when other matters claim his
attention. The letter read thus:
DEAR SIR-I regret to have to apprse you of
the fact that l had today to cane your son
severely. He is the youngest boy have ever
caned, but his delinquencies have of late been
so frequent that no other course w;s open to
me. This communication will doubtless cause
you pain, but the punishment will have bene-
fetal effect not only OH him, but on the other
boys of his age, whose leader in mischief he
has been. They will no longer make hero of
one whom they have seen publicly chastsed.
The disgrace of the punishment indeed, is
greater than the punishment itself. That
Robert may feel his shame more keenly have
read this letter to him, and he shall be the
bearer of 1t to you
"And where is Bobby at PRESENT."
asked, when had read this terrible letter
Crying his eyes out in the nursery, no
doubt" answered Robinson. "Of course
should have him here, but can't face him
Il can't face him. don't blame his mas
ter, but My dear friend, think of it'll The
youngest boy ever caned in the school
The marks won't wear off his hands for a
week, and think of his agony of mind
every time he looks at them Bobby is
sensitive boy, otherwise should not take
it SO much to heart. My hands, assure
you, are tingling as if l had been caned
myself"
Mrs Robinson was for the moment not
ON speaking terms with Robinson because
he seemed to think that Bobby should CON
tinue to go to .'such n school," If Bobby
had misconducted himself, surely the
blame lay with master who did not un-
derstand that he was boy who could best
be ruled by kindness. She had never had
the least trouble with Bobby. No, he was
not in the house. He had ran out imme-
diately after delivering the letter, and she
had searched for him everywhere in vain
His pride had been broken He would
never be the same boy again. He was
afraid to be looked at. He was no doubt
hidden somewhere in the cold night, and
he had not even on his greatcoat and he
would catch his death of cold.
IF he does, mamma" asked the older
girl, Frightening, will the master be
hangedP And, oh, do you think we could
get tickets9"
The night was dark, so we lit lantern
and set off to look for the unhappy Bobby.
At last we found HMM Mr.. Mackinnon' IS
stable. We looked through crevices in the
woodwork and this is what we saw:
Bobby in tremendous spirits was the
center of group of envious and admirng
youths, some of them school fellows, others
ragged lads of the village. If they began
to brag Bobby stopped them short with,
"That isn't nothing; you didn't never get
caned.n
Eyes, I did, though" insisted one.
"Let me see your hand" retorted Bobby.
"Oh, hol he won't, and cause there's not
no marks ON it,"
let us see your hands again, Bobby"
Bobby held out his hands as proudly as
if they contained diamond.
'By gum say, Bobby, come and play
with me tomorrow"
Let me walk beside you, Bobby, and
I'll give you my crossbow. It's broke,
butt
Bobby FIN the one you like best, amt
II"
''Pm the youngest he ever licked" cried
Bobby in transport of delight. He began
to strut up and down the stable.
well, then, you needn't bounce about
it like that"
'I'm the youngest he ever canedl So
would you bounce if you was the young.
est he ever caned."
But, Bobby
Look here, you chaps" broke in the
hero of the day, 81 amnt not to be called
Bobby any more. You'll have to call me
Robinson now. lie called me Robinson
when he caned me-"
"Gumr'
"And, what's more Pm the youngest he
ever''-
The other Robinson here retired with a
hopeless look ON his face. Mrs. Robinson
seemed less humbled. / came home re-
fiecting.-J NJ Barrie in Harper's Maga-
zine.
just the Place.