Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-05-09
thought, as the teacher took the heavy
nlgpn nn1 triah tho yynrL, Inp ~ m, raal

thought, as the teacher took the heavy
piece and tried the working Of the reel
The next joint was taken up and cx
nmintd, A,pd rs the fenther.weIghJ
tip was lifted, the teacher said with q
CLEAN of fun in his eyes:
Your hand, please, Sorry to he
obliged 10 do this painful thing. my
young friend but must have my rules
oheyed."
The light tip came through the air
with n swish, bur when il reached the
outStretChed hand II fell as softly as a
straw upon the boys palm. But the
touch of that tip, slight rs 1t was, en-
to Toms heart, and set his mind busy.
There was sting in this sort Of pun.
ishment, after all,
There I'm glad that disagreeable
Job is of my hands, Say, Tom, now
that the cruel work Is over let's 20 fish
ing"
II touched the boy TO see how clev-
crly this new teacher had handled him.
and punished him rs he had never been
punished before 1t was lesson never
to he forgotten. Toms eyes were moist
as lie said;
Il can take you where the largest
trout in the stream are; I'll show you
some fun; and. and-I am sorry | gave
you 50 much trouble. III never do it
again."
II ats all right, Tom, my dear boy
The warm clasp Of the young mans
hand sent tingle of joy 10 the boys
heart, ana as he looked into the steady
eyes and saw something there that told
him he had made friend for life he
felt Snpremely happy.
Down the back street the pair wend-
ed their way toward the stream that
flowed among the willows, aud the few
pairs of curious eyes that followed
their movements saw the teacher oc.
caSionally lay his arm along the sturdy
boys shoulders.
Down among the tag.alders, where
the dark, deep pools Were the line was
east again ana again-baited with a
fat, juicy @raSShopper and as the hand
some trout rose to the casts the young
teacher was a boy again, while Tom
Lawton felt as happy as a lark.
There, Tom. Old hoy, think | have
enough for supper: never believe in
OVERRIDING thing-tishing or-or lick
ing a fellow"
Tom only grinned as he looked at the
fish. Suddenly the young man laid
Ia ,,l aid ,t-itI
merry laugh:
Il can throw you front, back or side
hold. | was the greatest wrestler in
my class; look out for yourself, for I'm
at you"
Again Tom grinned as he braced
himself for the shock; he was clever
also. and he secured firm hold. and
with quick side-jerk and a lightning
trip he laid the teacher upon his back
in n iitfy. Then they tried Il back hold,
struggled over the smooth turf until
the teacher lifted Tom up and laid him
gently down upon his back and said
laugningy: You are quick on your
legs, old boy: could make great
wrestler of you. | can beat You sprint
ing to the maple tree and back
"Ncver: there isn't fellow in school
can do that job. Here you go; we're
off,
The teacher reached AMI touched the
tree and started 10 return before Tom
reached it. 1t was lively race. and it
looked rs if Tom had finally met his
match. But with Il grand squirt the boy
dashed over the ground. reached his
companion. and passing him, arrived at
the GOAL three feet ahead.
There. Tom, my lad that will be
Now for supper: you are to dine with
me this evening"
That was Il red-letter event in Tom
Iawton's life; supper in the hotel din
ing room with the teacher, who chatted
and made the boy feel as if he was in
The seventh heaven of boy bliss. And
in the cleaning as they wandered to
Toms home the young man told the
other Of many interesting events in his
college life. and when they parted at
the gate with Il good-night handshake
Tom felt in his heart that this was to
be Il friend for life.
Ana as the teacher walked slowly
hOmeward he murmured AS fine 4
young fellow as l ever met Glad /
had TO keep him after school for n
licking. We both enjoyed the affair
New York Times.