Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-04-05
At this Mr.. Dayidre became n,

OF what, sir?"
My knife is gone"
Up to that moment Barry had not
conceived that the master suspected
some pupil. The schoolmaster's re-
mark struck him with the effect of q
slap in the face. 1t was clearly an
innuendo. He stared nard, while the
pupils drew a long, audible breath
then dashed his hand down on the
desk 80 forcibly that his inli-bottle
jumped from it's hole, and rose to his
feet.
You will give me satisfaction for
this insult, if you have any pretensions
20 be gentleman said he, furious.
ly. "You shall hear from me short
ly."
Then he stalked out Of the amazed
schaol, with his head very high, while
Mr.. Davidge said, "Stop, Burke!"
and all the pupils chuckled at the alb
surdity of the young Irishman.
Barry's father invariably left the
house for the day on Monday morn
ing, after breakfast. His mother was
almost as eager TO escape the odors of
washing-day. Both were absent whom
Barry sat looking at the old pistols.
Because the priming-pans of the old
pistols were rusty, Barry went to the
kitchen to clean them. There he
could find hot water, fire and coal
oil.
Barry washed the pan of one pistol.
laid it down and took up the other.
When this had been rubbed a little,
he put it down and retook the first.
Its pan was not likely to dry soon, and
so Barry determined to burn little
powder under the flint.
He went back to the mahogany box,
and brought away its little silver
powder-hask. Then he knelt beside
the stove, put a few grains of powder
on the priming pan, and snapped the
| flint.
The pistol, loaded years before by
the major in some idle moment, had
thrown its charge against leg of the
stove. Its butt flew out of Barry's
hand, hit him in the stomach, and
knocked the breath out of him. He
tell against the stove just as it was
tottering on the leg that had been
shattered by the heavy bullet. Down
came the stove; and the VIII ole boiler
full OF scalding water poured over
Barry's neck.
Barry lay second, dazed with the
blow Of the pistol butt and his aston
ishment at the crash. The scalding
water did not instantly pierce through
his clothing. When it did he rose
and ran shrieiing from the honse.
The suffering, which extended from
, his shoulders down his back and
rapidly ran along his legs, was so in
tense, and increased so dreadfully as
the boiling water penetrated his skin,
that he could not continue the mo-
tions of taking off his clothing. He
had indeed torn off his coat, and tried
to get rid OF his waistcoat; but by
this time he could only scream aud
| run in agony.
He knew not where he was going,
nor was he conscious of anything ex-
cept his pain, when he ran steaming
into the arms of Mr.. Davidge. The
water was still so hot to the school.
masters touch that he needed no more
information OF the boys plight. Next
instant Mr.. Davidge had cut Barry's
waistcoat straight down the back, and
was operating on his shirt.
Don't move, Burke. Nv poor.
dear boy, don't move" he kept say
ing. II must cut your shirt away.
There's no time to peel it off Your
skin would come with it. That's right.
Oh, you brave boy, TO stand still when
so torturedw
Barry thought he must faint, but
he was still conscious that the eyes of
the school were on him, and that
those OF the little schoolmaster were
wet with tears.
Here, jackson! Here, Scobie!"
cried Mr.. Dayidge. care your pen.
knives sharp? Quick, thenl Cut
down the arms of his shirt. Be care
full. Oh, my poor, dear boyl Now
then, very carefully, lift away the
/ pieces of cloth. Dear Lord, how ter
ribly he is scalded!"
As the cool wind blew on Barry's
red skin he tainted dead away. Then
'i4N ''h'Oi lulil HIN uONu, lace
to the grass, and lifted all the rest OF
his clothing from the boiled back.
" Run for the DOCTOR" cried Mr..
Davidge. You, Scobie Tell him
to hurry to Mr.. Burke's house. I'll
carry him home"
With the words he lifted Barry, face
downward, in his arms, and ran with
Il speed surprising in so small man
burdened by 50 large boy. Mrs.
Shaughnessy, the Burkes' cook, and
the pupils followed.
Where's the -four barrel?" painted
Mr.. Davidge, carrying Barry straight
upstairs to the first bedroom.
" In the pantry, sor."
Bring me milk-pan full at once
Hurry"