Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-07-17

NAAAAOCA 1 AAo
only gone to visit. but I had just gradu-
ated from normal school, and when an
opportunity was offered for me to teach,
ana there was real need of some one who
Knew something of modern methods, I
agreed 10 Try 1T for one term. I got along
very well. all things considered. and I
ilAed 1t WeIl CROUCH. ex 'e2t that I :, und
II absolutely necessary to punish some of
the scholars with the rod. Out of this
Iact grew my compliment. which, am
sure. was the sincerest one l ever re-
ceived. Among my scholars was a big
boy OF II. a lazy, numbering. g~ood-natured
lad. who whispered so much in school
and paid SO little attention to being kept
ln~that l at last old him if he whispered
again l would whip him. He promised
me that he would not offend again, and
Tor three whole days he kept his promise.
On the morning of the third day l APP
peared at school in a new gown. which
was the most becoming one. I think. I
ever had, and when the scholars saw me
they seemed to be as pleased with my
appearance as I was. and all the girls
came to tell me what a pretty dress I had
and how nice I looked. The boys We're
more shy. and whatever they thought
they kept to themselves. The big boy
wasn't there when school opened. but be-
fore the five-minute allowance was up he
came numbering in, and, hanging up his
hat. rolled over into his seat and picked
up a book. l didn't notice him at first.
but later / saw hat my new own had
attracted him. and that he was admiring
it. for he was unskilled in the convention
alities and made no effort to conceal his
feelings. Once or twice I caught his eye
and he looked away. but not for long.
and at last it began to annoy me. At the
same time he seemed to be making a ire
mendous effort of some kind that I did
not understand, n finally. risht while I
was looking at him, he reached over to
the boy in the seat behind him and whis-
pered something.
1T was an open violation of the rule.
and, besides. was a fragrant disregard of
his word, and 1 called him up at once.
Henry said. with all the severity
I could muster, weren't you whispering
just them
"'Yes'm.' he confessed, with his head
down..
"'You know it is against the rule?'
"'Yes'm.'
".And you know you promised me that
o would not whisper again.
"'Yes'm.'
"'Well.' I said. getting a better hold
on my hickory switch. I shall keep my
word better than Q have yours. and as
I told you [ would whip you for whisper
ing / am going to do it. Have you any
thing to say why you shoul not be IN
ished?'
Nom.
Having gone through all the forms Of
the law l proceeded to carry out the sem
tence. and I succeeded SO well that when
l finished Henry was numbering.
care you sorry now for what you did?'
I asked when it was over.
"'No'm,' he answered., greatly to my
surprise.
You're not?' I exclaimed, taking up
the switch again, but Henry never
flinched.
"'No'm; 7 couldn't help 1t, ma'am.'
Couldn't help it? Of course you could
help it. You're not a child, and ought to
set a better example. The children might
say that, but you cannot offer as IN ex-
cuse that YOU could not help it,
wei, | couldn't, ma'am.' he said.
looking down at a knot hole in the floor
that he was trying to stick the toe of his
shoe into, you was lookin' so durn purity
hat I had to say so to somebody er I'd
a busted wide open, shore
''There was no question as to Henry's
sincerity, but it was so embarrassing that
I really felt like giving him another
whipping"