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

ohiy tAoN6he wv ~ w o->N~ ~ .
out Of It. l would"
"I know you would; you'd get out Of
anything coming your way that might
hurt you"
And Tom plunged into the games and
forgot all about the matter. He was
up to the top notch in his lessons dur.
ing the afternoon session, and he
spelled down the entire first class at
the close. 1t required but few mo-
ments to clear the room when the days
work was ended. Tom sat with his
cheek resting OH his hand as he waited
for the long figure at the platform desk
to move. Suddenly the young man
looked at Tom and said:
"Lawton, may l trouble you to go to
the closet at the right Of the blackboard
and bring me the long parcel laid
across the upper hooks; here is the
key"
Tom brought the desired article to
the desk and gave start as fine
jointed fishing rod was revealed when
the canvas cover was removed. Good
ness. Is he going to lambaste me with
the butt of that thingT' was Toms
thought rs the teacher took the heavy
piece aud tried the working of the reel
The next joint was taken up and cx
amned. And as the feather-weight
tip was lifted, the teacher said with
CLEAN of fun in his eyes:
"Your hand, please. Sorry to be
obliged to do this painful thing, my
young friend, but must have my rules
obeyed."
The light tip came through the air
with n swish. but when 1t reached the
outstretched hand 1t fell as softly as
straw upon the boys palm. But the
touch of that tip. slight as it was, cn.
to Toms heart. and set his mind busy.
There was n sting in this sort of pun
ishment. after all.
There. I'm glad that disagreeable
job is off my hands. Say. Tom, now
that the cruel work is over let's go fish
ing"
1t touched the boy to see how clcv.
erly this new teacher had handled him,
and punished him rs he had never been
punished before. 1t was a lesson never
to be forgotten Toms eyes were moisi
as he said;
II can take you where the largest
trout in the stream are; I'll show you
some fun: and, and-l am sorry gave
YOU so much trouble. I'll never do 1t
again.
That's all right, Tom, my dear boy"
The warm clasp of the young mans
hand sent Il tinglc of JOY to the boys
heart, and rs he looked into the steady
eyes and saw something there that told
him lie had made "A friend for life he
felt supremcly happy.
Down the back street the pair wend'
ed their way toward the stream that
flowed among the willows, and 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-aldcrs, where
the dark, deep pools were, the line was
cast again and again n-baited with
fat, juicy grasshopper, and as the hand
some trout rose to the casts the young
teacher was boy again, while Tom
Lawton felt as happy as II lark.
There, Tom old boy. think | have
enough for supper; never believe In
OVERRIDING thug-fishing or-or lick
Ing n fellow
Tom only grinncd as he looked at the
fish. Suddenly tho Young man laid
aside crecl aud rod and said with
merry laugh:
II 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 Grinncd as he braced
himself for the shock; he was clever
also. and he secured Il firm hold. and
with a quick side jerk and lightning
trip lie laid the teacher upon his back
in Il iiffy Then they tried back hold,
struggled over the smooth turf until
the teacher lifted Tom up and laid him
gently down upon his back and said
lauGhingly: You are quick on your
legs. old boy; | could make Il great
wrestler of you. | can beat you sprint
ing to the maple tree and back"
Never; there isn't a fellow in school
can do that job. Here you go; we're
off,
The teacher reached and touched the
tree and started to return before Tom
reached it. 1t was lively race, and it
looked as If Tom had finally met his
match. But with grand spurt 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
enough exercise for the time being.
Now for supper: you are to dine with
me this evening"
That was red-letter event in Tom
Lawton'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 goodnight handshake
Tom felt in his heart that this was to
be a friend for life.
And as the teacher walked slowly
homeward he murmured: "As fine
young fellow as 1 ever met Glad
had to keep him after school for
licking We both enjoyed the affair.""
New York Times.