The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-01-21


Miss Peters opened the big dictionary
on her desk, and looked up the word, hop
ing that she should not find it. "Yes,
you're right" said she. II had never
seen it before.
"Wel, you needn't feel bad, marin,
cause you couldn't spell it. l amt goin'
to give you switchin'."
The whole school broke out in a laugh
at that. The old man winked comically
at them, as he said it. Miss Peters brought
her ruler down on the desk with a heavy
thud; her hard, thin face was flaming.
"Silence r
Daniel pretended to jump sideways with
alarm, and that amused the scholars still
more Miss Peters had to pound on her
desk again.
"Have you got any objections to lettin
Sonny go now ~ said Daniel. "I've-got
leetle work I'd like have him help me
about
He gave a knowing look at Sonny.
''No; he can go, said the teacher, taking
up book, and clutching at her old pres
tige at the same time 1t seemed to soar
high above her head, like an aerial body,
and her fingers only brushed it, however.
''The second class in geography may take
their places, said she nervously.
Sonny looked at her, then at his grand
father; he bobbed up from his seat, then
went down again.
"You may go, William" said Miss
Peters Then he battered quickly down
between the desks to his grandfather, and
clung to his horny, protecting hand with
his own soft little fingers.
Sonny wore baggy little trousers, and a
checkered gingham tunic. His small face,
which was generally upturned, was pink
checked and peaked-chinned; the mouth
was small and sweet; the eyes china-blue,
round and innocent He was almost always
smiling, as if to himself; he was now, and
his late tears had not left trace on his
pretty cheeks.
When he reached the door, Daniel turned
about and faced the teacher once more.
He lifted his right hand, as if he were
oratoring. "Miss Peters-'
"I'm afraid l can't stop to talk any
longer, Mr.. Price
"0h, l amt a-goin' to hender you, Miss
Peters. I jest wanted to say one thing;
an l want you to kinder lay it up an think
about it. When it comes to downright
wickedness, there's some sense 10 thrashin'; /;
but there amt none unless it does come
to it. If everybody was to be thrashed
for spellin wrong, there wouldn't be no
room on this airth for any trees but birches,
an you couldn't hear the meetin' bell for
the swishin' of 'em. Come Sonny"
"Did she hurt you much ?" asked the
old man, when he and the child were safely
over in the little house across the way
dreadful Kin have pear, grand
pap
"She shan't lay her hand on you ag'in,
if | have my say about it.
"Kin I have a pear, grandpa ?"
"Jest go right upstairs an help your
self, Sonny Don't take none but what's
mellar.
After Sonny had gone to bed that night,
Daniel went over to his nephew Georges
to talk about the matter. George had
gone down to the village, but his wife Han
nah was at home. She was feshy and
pretty-faced and quick-spoken.
"Sonny amt goin' to school to that
woman another day." declared old Daniel,
after he had finished the recital Of his
wrongs.
@Why, how can you get along if he
don't, grandpa You don't want him to
grow up and not know anything
Il reckon | kin learn him awhile.
"Land sakes, grandpa !"
'You kin pooh at it all you want to,
Hannah. kin learn him to spell as well
as Miss Peters, reckon, and not thrash
him to death, nuther.'
@Now, grandpa, | don't blieve she
meant to hurt him much.
aDon't keer what she meant; she won't
git another chance whilst | live Shant
nobody abuse Sonny whilst I'm round.
When | amt, s'pose shall have to grin
an bear it an not say nothin. See here,
Hannah, you amt forgittin what I've
told you about Sonny in case anythin' hap
pened to me ?
"Of course I amt, grandpa