The record-union., 1892-08-30
BOBBY'S BOAST.
He Was the Youngest Boy the Teacher
Ever Gained.


evening at the play, or rather from visit
ing my friends, the Robinson's, which is
much the same thing. If you don't mind
my pipe. will picture you the drama.
Roblnson, an amiable man except when
his shoe-lace 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. He is a business
man and am not, and | supposed that
stocks or debentures had fallen or risen
Tor whatever it is these things do to
plunge those who know what they are in
despair. l tried the drawing-room and
there found the two little girls crying
and Mrs. Robinson on the couch with
her face to the wall. This was serious,
and seemed to me to mean, at least, a
corner" in stocks.
1t was not stocks, however my hostess
told me from behind a handk kerchief 1t
was Bobby.
Had not her husband shown me ''the
letter."
Bobby is the heir, aged 7, and l con-
cluded from his mothers tragic tones that
he had run off to be pirate or an engine
driver, leaving written statement to that
eltect on his dressing table. | softly with
drew from the drawing-room and re-
turned TO Robinson, who, with trembling
arm, handed me ''the letter." 1t was
from the master of a school to which
Bobby goes by train daily, except during
the blrdnesting season, when other mat
ters claim his attention. The letter read
thus:
DEAR SIR: 1 regret to have to apprise Won
OF the fact that had to-day 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 was open to
me. Ih1s communication will doubtless cause
you pain, but the punishment will have
beneficial effect not only on him, but on the
other boys OF his age whose leader in mischief
ne mas been. They will no longer make q
nero OF one whom they have seen publicly
chastlsed. eI1as The disgrace OF the punishment,
indeed, Is greater tnan 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 present9u T
asked, when / had read this terrible
letter.
Crying his eyes out in the nursery, no
doubt" answered Robinson. .sOf course
l should have him here, but can't face
him-I can't face him. l don't blame his
master, but-1ny dear friend think of it
The youngest boy ever caned in school!
The marks won't wear off his hands for
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"
why not bring him here" I said,
''and tell him if he turns over new leaf
all will be forgotten ?''
Forgotten How can I exnect him
to believe that? l know that if | had
ever been caned in my school days I
could not have got over the shame for
years. Besides"
Besides what? 2"
.! must not seem to take his part
against his master, who is, l know, a most
conscientious man. No, Bobby must
bear the disgrace. But that does not
make me feel less keenly for him. Ny
hands, assure you, are tingling as if L
had been caned MYSELF
found the two girls still moaning at
! the drawing-room window-the Youngest
lest Bobby should die, and the other be-
cause his friends would tell their sisters,
| who could never again be expected to
esteem the name of Robinson.
Mrs. Robinson was for the moment not
| on speaking terms with Robinson. be-
| cause he seemed to think that Bobby
should.continue to GO to 'such SCHOOL,
| If Bobby had misconducted himself.
surely the blame lay with master who
| did not understand that he was a bow
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 Immediately 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
| his great-coat, and he would catch his
| death of cold.
"If he does, mamma" asked the older
girl, Frightening, will the master be
hanged? And, oh, do you think we could
| get tickets?"
The night was dark, so we lit a lantern.
and set off to look for the unhappy
| Bobby. At last we found HMM MIR.
Mackinnon's stable. We looked through
crevices in the woodwork, and this is
| what we saw:
Bobby, in tremendous spirits, was the
center Of a group of envious and admir-
| ing youths, some of them school-fellows,
| others ragged lads of the village. If they
with, THAT isn't nothing; you didn't
| never get caned."
"Yes. did, though insisted one.
| Let me see your hand" retorted
Bobby. "Oh no! 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
| Pll give you my crossbow. It's broke,
! but"
"Bobby, Pm the one you like best,
amt I?'
| Pm the youngest he ever licked !"
| cried Bobby, in a transport of delight.
! He began to strut up and down the stable.
"Well, then, you needn't bounce about
it like that"
$50 would you bounce if it had been
you"
"pu be caned tomorrow"
$50 will 1, and then Pn be as good as
Bobby
'No you WON'T" thundered Bobby.
Though you was all caned twelve
times twelve is a hundred and forty
four, would always be the first, would
| Pm the youngest he ever caned! 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. "I'm not to be called
Bobby any more. You'll have to call
me Robinson now. He called me Robin
son when he caned me-"
"Gum''
'And, what's more, Pm the youngest
| he ever
The other Robinson here retired with a
hopeless look on his face. Mrs. Robin
son seemed less humbled. / came home
refiecting.-J. NJ. Barrie in Harper's
Magazine for August.