Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-09-18
1894. NEW SERIES, VOL. xxx, No. IS.

form boys. For ali Mr.. Whyiand,s COM
mands no one thought Of studying.
AT last the tutor lost patience.
shall have to refer this matter to
the doctor, - he began.
Do, said Frank, whose desk was ON
the opposite side OF the room from Taffy.
Now was Taffy's chance. he eau
Gously mounted his desk, his cheeks
bulged out with wind. looking like q
full moon. The boys commence& to
cheer, and Mr.. Whyland turned In time
to see Taffy standing ON tiptoe on the
desk, with his mouth directly over q
gas burner. That was all he saw, how
ever, for just then Taffy mouth opened,
and gust OF wind from it swept down
the gas burner. Immediately all was
darkness. not only in that room, but in
the whole building.
Then what an uproar there wasl Rub
bers and books commenced to fly in the
direction of the tutor. Then some one
fired an inlrstand toward the blackboard.
1t did not reach its destination. Just
then the door opened, and DIR. and Mrs.
Arnold. with several of the teachers
and older boys, appeared with lights and
matches to stop - gas that was escap-
ing from every fameleSs burner.
''Silencer' roared the old man, and
every one fell into the seat nearest to
him. What does this mean, Mr.. Why
landf"
But Mr.. Whyland didn't answer. He
was lying ON the floor.
The doctor hurried to him, but found
him insensible. There was q deep
wound In his head. from which the
blood flowed freely.
You could have heard pin drop any
time during the next 10 minutes, the
silence was so deep after Mr.. Whyland
had been carried to his room. Finally
Mrs. Arnold returned. She looked wor-
ried, and the sight Of her face made the
culprits feel very uncomfortable.
Boys, she said. what does it all
mean? Do you know what you haye
done2 The doctor thinks Mr.. Whyland
viii not recover from the blow given
him by that inkstand do not ask who
threw it. but do you realize what has
been done?"
Mother Arnold, - said Harry, break.
ing the silence its my fault sug-
gested putting the gas out. I'll take the
blame.
"But did it." said Taffy, two great
tears rolling down his cheeks, "and I
suggested erasers and spitballs. -
threw three rubbers and boolr, {"
owned Jack.
"And I some beans. - said another.
"Win he die, Mother Arnold?"
It is serious injury" /" said Mrs
Arnold. "but wewin hope for the best.
For present punishment you will be
closely confined to the house for aweelz,
and the doctor will see you later"
I'VE don't mind that, /" said Harry,
choking over his words, 'if only he
doesn't die"
There was very little sleeping done
that night at the academy, especially by
the third form boys. Only one or two
had gone so far as to prepare for bed.
The others stood around in awed and
silent groups.
After the consultation the doctors
pronounced Mr.. Whyland to be suffer
ing from severe attack OF brain fever.
Never were boys so frightened at what
they had done or SO repentant Mr..
Whyland's mother was telegraphed for,
and late in the afternoon she arrived,
accompanied by Bessie, one Of her
daughters OF his five sisters, Bessie
was her brothers. fayorite, and the boys
didn' wonder, for lovelier young lady
they never had seen. AS soon as she ar
rived the whole school fell in love with
her and would do anything that she
wished. The third form boys naturally
felt t1if1e shy after what they had
done, but she made friends with one and
all
Lessons were quito neglected in the
week that followed, and the boys were
quiet as mice. Harry and TafFy made
their confession to the young tutors
mother, but where they expected to be
blamed they were forgiven. After tedi-
GUS waiting Mr.. Whyland began to re-
cover. He would not let DR.. Arnold ex-
pei the boys; said he himself was at
fault to make enemies and not friends
of the boys. The boys were untiring in
their efforts to run errands and do ev-
erything for him.
One day, when her son was nearly
well, Mrs. Whyland went to the third
form classroom with Mrs. Arnold and
made little speech to the boys.
''I want to tell you. boys. /" said she,
''how Richard, my only son, was brought
up. Bis father was q naval officer and
was away part Of every year before he
died, and SO left me to manage the boy.
Richard never went to school, as you
boys do, but taught him at home with
his five sisters. he associated only with
women until he went to college, SO you
can easily see why he didn't know how
TO manage or teach boys. He says that
when he RECEIVERS he is going to know
you better and is sure that he will like
you and be able to make you under
stand. His physician allows him to go
out for the first time tomorrow, and he
wants to see you. I"
Then the boys understood. No wonder
poor Mr.. Whyland did not know how to
manage them. He had been brought mp
with his sisters, whom, If they were all
like Bessie, must be very nice indeed,
and he had been supporting them by
teaching.
The next day was holiday In honor
Of the young tutors recovery.
Toward noon he appeared ON the steps
leading to the playground, supported by
his mother and Bessie. BE was greeted
with shouts of applause, and the third
form boys had humbly begged his for
gtveness. He made little speech, say
ing that he trusted he should manage
them better in the future, and he hoped
they would always be the best of friends
And, boys" he added, with twin
king eyes, II have learned something
new about gas, and since I have recoy-
cred I am glad that you did settle
me-"
"Three cheers for Professor Whylard
and Miss BessieP' cried Harry, and the
I1,1.ra|,e ooTIId I,a baa,d 80. ,,.gI.,