Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-05-07

- cll'. l nat WIS W uiop al
play when the he'll telling the opening
of the school session sounded. When
the ruler fell upon the desk before that
august personage-thc teacher-Tom
as we'll as the rest of the scholars
7new they must be at their desks ready
for business. Several times had the
new teacher reminded the boys of this
rule: Quit play at the sound Of the
bell and make for the schoolhouse
don't bother about finishing the game
of marbles. ball or whatnot; when this
ruler falls every ono must be at his
desk. That is all
Tom Lawton had overlooked that rule
once too often twice the new teacher
had forgiven him-he was boy once
but when Tom came in and slipped to
his seat after the ruler had fallen. the
master crooked his finger AT the second
desk from the left front and softly
said:
"Lawton, please step this way"
1t was q way the new teacher had,
always particular about small things,
and very polite when he wanted any
thing done as. for instance, puzzling
problem in figures, he would say: "lf
you will be so kind as to show us how
to solve this problem on Page CO.
fourth from the top, shall be obliged
to YOU" Or. he had taking manner
of saying to a chap whose fingers tin
gled because of Il personal engagement
Peg pardon. my friend, for troubling
YOU but il has been coming your way
for some time: very sorry to have an
noyed you. but it annoys me most
Tom felt trihe uneasy when he
walked UP to the desk. leaned against
It and heard Il soft voice say in low
tones:
please he so kind as to remain after
school for punishment, ! am sorry to
bother YOU about it--but il must come.
Return 20 your seat
As the boy turned glance from his
left eve sized up the new teacher who
was so painfully affablc. My! but
he'll break my hand" was Toms
tuUNSll as ut S'' W tllt HlI'iiS Nlic' anu
goodly forearm.
When recess came all the boys and
girls. except Tom, filed out Tom re.
maincd ut his desk with eyes fixed upon
the book before him. The young man
on the platform took book from II
drawer and started TO read when his
eyes fell upon the boy ut the desk. A
curious smile camC upon his face, and
Il goodbye feeling seemed to make his
nerves tiuglc. He laid the book down
keeping Il long finger in it to mark the
place, and said:
"LawtOn. why do you not go out with
the reSt?'
Tom looked UP through misty eyes
"Im staying after school, sir"
"But it Is recess now
II might cut sticks and run away
others do-and | have"
But not with me. Mr.. Thomas Law
ton. You have too good face to lei
me believe YOU would do such thing
now. Did the other teacher keep the
fellows in at recess when punishment
hung over themt
always
"WelI. run out to your game, my
friend"
"Maybc I'll not come back to get that
punishment after school," said Ton
with grin as lie rose
"Yes you will: know you would moi
deprive me of the pleasure of giving
you few pleasant moments after
school, and then, / can trust a fellow
with such a face as you have"
"I-I am sorry stayed"
''Run along, Lawton; we'll talk thai
over after school"
II may not come back
Yes you will Now so out and have
n good time. Recesses are as short tt
me as they are to the rest of you
| And the young man plunged into hi'
book and forgot all about Tom LawtoI
for the time being.
To stay after school for punishment
was. in the eyes of the girls, somethin,
| heroic though painful, hence Tom came
in for large share of their pepper
mints. candy balls and little attentions
''Why don't you cut sticks and scoot
wouldn't stay for lambasting from
him. suggested Il playfellow to Tom.
Il could punch your nose for sayin.
that Jim Brown; It's a mean thing t.
say to me, I've got a licking comipg