The herald., 1894-10-31

CnCeT, tia AL. \, IlyIalu turned III Jl1oe
to see Taffy standing on t1ptoe On the
desk, with his mouth directly over
gas burner. That was all he saw, how
ever, f' just then Tnffy's mouth opened,
and q 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 uprosr there was Rub
bers and books commenced to fly in the
direction of the tutor. Then some one
fired an inkstand toward the blackboard
1t did not reach its destination. Just
then the door opened, and DR.. and Mrs.
Arnold, with several of the teachers
AID older boys, appeared with lights and
matches to stop tho gas that was escap-
ing from every fiameless burner.
"Silence!'' roared the old man, and
every one fell into the scat nearest to
him. ''What does this mean, Mr.. Why
land:"
But Mr.. Whyland didn't answer. He
was lying on the floor.
Tho doctor hurried to him, but found
him insensible. There was deep
wound in his head, from which the
blood flowed freely.
You could have heard pin drop any
time during tho 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 tho sight OF her face made the
culprits feel very uncomfortable.
Boys, she said, what docs it all
mean? Do you know what you have
done? The doctor thinks Mr. Whyland
will not recover from the blow given
him by that mkstand do not ask who
threw it, but do you realize what has
been donc:"
Mother Arnold, said Harry, break
ing the silence, ''it's my fault. l sug-
gcsted putting the gas out I'll tako the
blame.
"But did it,, said Taffy, two great
tears rolling down his cheeks, "and
suggested erascrs and spitballs. "
II threw throe rubbers and book, +"
owned Jack
"And l some beans,' said another
"Will he die, Mother Arnold?"
1T is q serious injury" said Mrs.
Arnold, "but we will hope for the best.
For present punishment you will be
closely confined to tho house for week,
and the doctor will sec 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
tho third form boys. Only one or two
had gone SO far rs to prepare for bed.
The others stood around in awed and
silent groups.
After tho consultation the doctors
pronounced Mr.. Wbyland 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 = i'll the afternoon she arrived,
accompanied by Bessie, one Of her
daughters OF his five sisters, Bessie
was her brothers. favorite, and the boys
didn't wonder, for O loyelier 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. Tho third form boys naturally
felt trifie shy after what they had
done, but she made friends with ono and
ell
Lessons were quite 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 tho 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.
II want to tell you, boys" said she,
chow 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 me to manage the boy.
Richard never went to school, as you
boys do, but taught him at homr nun
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 lime tomorrow, and he
wants to see yon
Then the boys understood. No wonder
poor Mr.. Whyland did not know how to
manage them. He had been brought up
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. He was greeted
with shouts of applause, and the third
form boys had humbly begged his for
| giveness 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 / have recov-
cred l am glad that you did settle
me-"