Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-08-18
FOR PARENTS ONLY.

In School.
have Just returned home from an even
ing at the play, or rather from visiting ray
friends, the Robinsons.
Robinson, all amiable man except when
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 business man and
am not; so l concluded that stocks or
debentures had fallen or risen Tor whal-
sver 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. I 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 birdnest-
ing season, when other matters claim his
attention. The letter read thus:
DEAR SIR regret to have to apprise 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 was open to
me. This communication will doubtless cause
you pain, but the punishment will have bene-
fetal effect not only on him, but on the other
boys of his age, whose leader in mischief he
has been. They will no longer make a hero of
one whom they have seen publicly chastised.
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 it to you.
"And where is Bobby at presents" /
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. Idon'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 a
sensitive boy, otherwise should not take
| ~ 81 luuCl W lCdIU. wy IdItlN; doSulC
you, are tingling as If I 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 a school," If Bobby
had misconducted himself, surely the
blame lay with master who did not I'M
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
hangedS And, oh, do you think we could
| get tickets?"
The night was dark, so we lit lantern
and set off to look for the unhappy Bobby.
At last we found HMM Mr.. Mackinnon' g
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 admiring
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."
eyes, did, though" insisted one.
"Let me see your hand, " retorted Bobby.
| hot Lo
no marks on it."
Let us see your hands again, Bobby"
Bobby held out his hands rs proudly as
if they contained diamond.
"By guml I say, Bobby, come and play
with me tomorrow"
LET mo walk beside you, Bobby, and
Pll give you my crossbow. It's broke,
butt
Bobby, Pm the one you like best, amt
Ii"
"T'm the youngest he ever lickedp 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"
'Im the youngest he ever caned! Sc
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, II amn't not to be called
Bobby any more. You'll have to call me
Robinson now. He called me Robinson
when he caned me-"
"Gump'
"And, what's more, I'm the youngest he
ever''--
The other Robinson here retired with 0
hopeless look on his face. Mrs. Robinson
seemed less humbled. I came home re
feoting.-J. M. Barrie in Harper's Maya
zine.