The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-01
"Heywood Baby Carriages,
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said that Bert was wild an nervy' and
old Mother Saunders. where Allen board
"a voiced the sentiment of the neighbor-
hood when she said: "A bit wild, mebbe,
but good hearted.
All the next day the master worked
hard on the problem before him ana by
evening he had solved IT, When school
u.s. dismissed and Bert Richardson was
eoin., out with the other boys the master
stopped him and said, pleasantly:
IL believe you sometimes go home across
the creek and through the WOODS doh
your"
yes" was the ungracious answer.
"Would YOU mind having company to-
night? I've had 1t in my mind to explore
the woods over there a little. They look
attractive"
Rert's brown face assumed puzzled
expression. IN wait for YOU" he SAID
lie hung about the doorway with his
dinner nail while the other boys went OF
mn the road shouting back at nm derl-
sivelv. He didn't feel at all comiortaple
alone with the schoolmaster, and no KICK
ed the heel OF his cow-hide SHOES INTO
the gravel impatiently.
Allen busted himself as usual ABOUT the
school house. He swept IL out carefully,
rubbed off the blackboards and locked
ION BERT" he said. would you mind
taking this basket Of rubbish TO the wood
shed?"
Bert went. thankful that none OF the
bows remained 20 see him. lie dldn I'M
derstand this cool little fellow IN specta-
cles who apparently did not stand in the
least awe Of the big boys Of the school.
When he returned with the basket he
found the master ready TO go. Ihey
walked down Il narrow path BACK OF the
school-house, with the pig weeds ana the
marsh grass clinging about their feet as
thev passed. Allen walked briskly in
front. and Bert noticed that his should
ers had an active. fearless swing.
"Hows fishing i'm the creek?
ooh fair-only it's 1shed too much.
Ist TO be lots of perch and sunnies, but
there's only a few holes where you can
find EN- now"
Il suppose you know just where they
are" and the master glanced back at
Bert.
Here the schOolmaster paused suddenly
and faced his pupil Then he deliberately
took OF his coat and vest and laid them
neatly on the grass. lie rolled back MS
sleeves in a hard bunch near his elbows.
All this time Bert looked on with wonder
ing eyes. but without word.
DO YOU care 10 take Off your coat and
hat2' asked the schOOlmaster in calm,
low voice.
what do you mean?' stammered the
boy.
Il mean to give you a thrashing-you
know very well what for. Either you are
TO run the Red Brick school or am. l
thought we would better settle IL by our
selves beforehand"
There was an icy calmness i'm the mas
ter's voice and a look In his face that was
not good to see. The big country boy
with his square shoulders and brown
hands, stood dumfOunded.'
Are you going 10 strip or not? or are
YOU a coward who fights only with a
crowd behind hm?'
In an instant Bert's coat and hat were
off. but his face was pale. For a moment
the two looked each other in the eye.
IF YOU win" said the master. calmly,
81 leave Swansea s.; IL l win you are to
act like a gentleman in school DO you
understand
Bert nodded.
The sun lay close to the hilltop and the
valley was cool with the gathering msts.
In the meadow the COWS bells tangled
drowsly and a whip-poor-will was begin
ming 10 call from the trees. But the mas
ter and pupil saw none Of these things
for they had closed in the struggle. The
pupu sought to clench and crush his
weaker antagonist but the master Wiry
and active and determined, kept him at
arms length darling in and out and
striking quick blows with his fists. There
were no rests nor pauses, and neither
fighter uttered sound. Back and forth
across the grass they strained and painted,
their white arms glistening and their
eyes steadily fixed upon each other. For
q full five minutes-and five minutes that
seemed an hOur-neither tighter gained
advantage. Then suddenly Bert rushed
I'm like an Infatuated bull taking a sting
ing blow from the teachers fist as he
came, and the two rolled together on the
grass There they struggled, turning over
and over graphing and cinching. and
thus they came to the edge OF the creek
and pumped OVER the bank into rhe
water. The sudden splash lOosened their
grip and they both struggled to their
feet Their hair was washed down over
their eyes and their faces dripped with
water. The master looked at the pupil
ana the pupil looked at the master.
II don't care 10 fight any more" said
tbe teacher sOlemnly. DO your"
NO. and then they both painted and
laughed.
Allen reached out a muddy hand and
Bert clasped Il tight And then they
| climbed out Of the creek, washed their
faces and wrung out their clothing. They
| went home.
The next morning Bert was late. The
other boys had waited for him inpatient
| ly until the last bell began to ring.
| "The teachers talked him over" said
| Tom Harris, angrily
We'll let's go ahead, anyway" an
swered VIII Rice and the moment they
took their seats the trouble began. Just
as il was reaching it's height in came Bert.
| He looked flushed and uncomfortable. and
sidled TO his seat without glancing at the
teacher There was a slight bruise on his
| chin: otherwise he showed no marks of
the contest OF the night before. All tho
| boys looked at him triumphantly. He
| had not deserted them. after all. The
| schoolmaster was pale and quiet, bur