The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-09-07
form boys For al Mr. Whyland's com
mands no ono Thought of studying


DO, " said Frank, whose Ges,, was ON
the opposite side of tho room from Taffy.
Now was Taffy's chance. He eau.
tiously mounted his desk, his checks
bulged out with wind, looking like a
full moon. The boys commenced to
cheer. and MIR. Whyland turned in time
to SEQ Taffy standing on tiptoe ON the
desk, with his mouth directly. over a
gas burner. That was all he saw, how.
ever, for just then Taffy IS 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 OH inkstand toward the blackboard.
1t did not reach it's destination Just
then the door opened, and Dr. and Mrs.
Arnold, with several of the teachers
and older boys, appeared with lights and
matches to stop tho gas that was escap-
ing from every fameless burner.
'Sllence" roared the old man, and
every one fell into the seat nearest to
him. "What does this mean, Mr.. WHY
land?"
But Mr. Whyland didn't answer. He
was lying on the floor
The doctor hurried to him, but found
him inseusible. There was a deep
wound i'll his head, from which tho
blood flowed freely
You could have heard u pin drop any
timo during the next 10 minutes, the
silence was so deep after Mr. Whyland
had been carried to his room. Finally
Mrs. Arnold returned. Sho looked wor-
ried, and the sight of her face made tho
oulprits feel very uncomfortable
boys" she said, "what does it all
mean? Do you know what you have
done? The doctor thinks Mr.. Whyland
will not recover from tho blow given
him by that inlstand. do not ask who
threw it, but do you realize what has
been donc?'
Mother Arnold" said Harry, break
ing tho silence, cts my fault. I sug-
gcsted putting the gas out I'll tako tho
blame.
But 1 did it, said Taffy, two great
tears rolling down his checks, land
suggested erasers and spitballs."
81 threw three rubbers and q book. {"
owned Jack.
"And I some beans" said another.
"Will he die, Mother Arrfold?"
1T is serious injury" said Mrs.
Arnold, "but we will hopo for the best.
For present punishment You will DO
closely confined to the house for q week,
and the doctor will SEQ you later -
1--WE 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 awcd and
silent groups.
After the consultation tho doctors
pronounced Mr.. Whyland to be suffer
ing from Il severe attack of brain fever.
Never were boys so frightened Mt what
they had done or so rcpcntant Mr..
Whyland's mother was telegraphed for.
and late i'll the afternoon she arrived,
accompanied by Bessie one of her
daughters. OF his five sisters, Bessie
was her brothers favoritc, and the bows
didn't wonder, for lovclicr young lady
they never had seen. AS soon as sho ar
rived the whole school fell in love with
her and would do anything that she
wished. The third form boys naturally
felt trific shy after what they had
done, but sho made friends with one and
all.
Lessons were quite neglected in the
week that followed, and the boys were
quiet as mice. Harry and Taffy madc
their confession to the young tutors
mother, but where they expected to DO
blamed they were forgiven. After tcdi-
Gus waiting Mr.. Whyland began to re-
cover. He would not let DR.. Arnold OK
pei the boys; said he himself was at
fault TO mako enemies and not friends
OF the boys. Tho boys were untiring in
their efforts to Run crrands 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 Il little speech to the boys.
Il want TO tell you, boys said she,
'how Richard, my only son, was brought
up. His father was naval officer and
was away part of every year before he
died, and so left mo to manage the boy
Richard never went to school, rs 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 SEQ why he didn't know how
to manage or teach boys He SAYS that
when he RECEIVERS no is going to know
you better and is sure that he will like
you and he able to make you under
stand His physician allows him to go
out for the first time tomorrow, and he
wants to sec you.