Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-06-23
ROUND THE CHIMNEY.
The Funny Escape of MischievOas
Schoolboy from the Master.


The Funny Escape of n MIschievOaa
schOOlboy from the Master.
A correspondent sends story which
his grandfather used to tell. 1t was in
the days of open fires, and the school
house had an enormous brick chimney
built out into the room, the better to
afford warmth, leaving a space about
three or four feet in width between it
and the wall This was an attractive
spot for the boys on rainy days, when
outdoor sports were impossible, and
many game of tag was played, in
which lodging about the old chimney
formed prominent part.
One afternoon the master, a tall,
sharp-featured man, whose spectacled
eyes took note of the smallest breach of
discipline, detected a boy in some Of
fense that in his opinion warranted a
whipping. The culprit was called to
the platform at once, and as the teacher
was in the midst of an explanation to
the class, and perhaps held the belief
that the worst part of a punishment is
the anticipation of it, he simply mo-
toned the youngstcr to wait until the
recitation should be over.
The recitation came to an end at last,
the class filed TO their seats, and the
master grasped the ferule and started
toward the delinquent. AS he put out
his hand to take firm hold of the boys
collar, there was an unexpected move
on the victims part. The suspense had
been too much for his nerves, and he
gave quick jump, just out of reach of
the avenging hand, and stood rapidly
winking his eyes in astonishmenta at his
own daring.
The teacher made another attempt to
seize the boy, but he lodged again. The
performance was repeated several
times, and, at last, before the lad re-
allied what he was doing, he had broken
! into run, while the schoolmaster, with
ferule uplifted and vengeance in his eye
was close at his heels.
Down one aisle and up another they
ran, the youngster slightly in advance
the teacher, with superior length Of
limb, rapidly approaching him. Al
length their headlong course brought
them near the brick chimney, and the
boy darted behind it like hunted rab
bit
Then began race such as the ole
schoolroom had never witnessed
Round and round the chimney they
tore, first boy and then teacher, appear
ing and disappearing in dizzy rotation
before the eyes of the staring and ex
cited pupils.
Suddenly the idea struck the boy that
in the natural course of events, the mas
ter would soon think of the simple ex
pedient of stopping short, and he, will
his acquired momentum, would find j
impossible to avoid running into the en-
emy's arms.
lie changed his tactics at once, and
dartipg off at a tangent, slid into tn
nearest seat, which happened TO b
among the girls There he sat painting
leaving his pursuer to revolve alone,
The teacher was putting his soul int
his work. He raced, he flew, his coat
tails flew behind him, drops of perspir0
ton stood upon his forehead, and sti
his efforts were unrewarded by even
sight of the runaway.
At last, as the boy had foreseen, h
stopped short, and a grim smile cam
over his face as he planted his feet firm
ly and stretched his arms wide apal
to resist the expected shock.
, As he waited, the smile gradual
= faded from his countenance, and CAV
place first to surprise and then to ute
bewilderment. The sight was too muc
= Tor the pupils. They began to title
and, as the absurdity of the situatio
E grew upon them, burst into peals
laughter. Even the culprit, GOVERN
I in his too prominent seat, joined in wit
5 faint giggle.
The master was utterly at loss
l wiped his perspiring forehead, gaze
dizzily around the room, looked dow
= rubbed his spectacles, and seemed col
, fused.
e "Well," he said, when he recoverC
t his breath so that he could speak.
can't remember which boy 1 was cha
p ing; but If he VIII come forwaI
). ard own up, win let him of III
time"
l and as you may imagine, f" my gran
Q father would add, II was only too 81;
D 10 accept the conditions offered. for
b was that boy. y."-Youth's Companion.
O Suits o. a uniform color and pattei
J. for soldiers in the British army da
from 1914, when the Foot guards we
}. clad in gray. The Introduction OF
rruul.r- uniform for enfIors dates fro