Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-06-26

W. \lI ter was peculiarly insist
lAS MS. ent. That was to drop all
play when the bell telling the opening
of the school session sounded. When
the ruler fell upon the desk before that
august personage-the teacher-Tom,
as well as the rest of the scholars,
knew 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
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 way the new teacher had,
always particular about small things
and very polite when he wanted any
thing done as, for instance, n puzzling
problem in figures, he would say: "If
you will be so kind rs to show us how
20 solve this problem on Page co,
fourth from the top. l shall be obliged
to YOU" Or. he had a taking manner
of saying to n chap whose fingers tin
gled because of a personal engagement:
BEG pardon, my friend, for troubling
you-but it has been coming your way
for some time; very sorry to have an
noyed you, but it annoYs me most"
Tom felt trifle uneasy when he
walked up to the desk, leaned against
1t and heard a soft voice say in low
tones:
"Please be so kind as to remain after
tchool for punishment. I am sorry to
bother you about it-but it must come.
Return to your seat"
AS the boy turned a glance from his
left eye sized up the new teacher who
Mas so painfully affable. "My! but
he'll break my hand" was Toms
thought as he saw the strong wrist and
goodly forearm.
When recess came all the boys and
girls. except Tom, filed out Tom re-
NAMED at his desk with eyes fixed upon
the book before him. The young man
on the platform took n book from a
drawer and started to read when his
eyes fell upon the boy at the desk. A
curious smile came upon his face, and
n goodbye feeling seemed to make his
news tingle. He laid the book down,
keeping a long finger in 1t to mark the
place, and said
"Lawton, why do you not go out with
the restT'
Tom looked up through misty eyes.
"1'm staying after school, sir"
"But it is recess now"
81 might cut sticks and run away;
others do-and l have"
But not with me, Mr.. Thomas Law
ton. You have too good face to let
me believe you would do such thing
now. Did the other teacher keep the
fellows in at recess when punishment
hung over them?"
always
"Well. run out to your game, my
friend"
maybe I'll not come back to get that
punishment after school," said Tom
with a grin as he rose.
"Yes, you will; l know you would not
deprive me of the pleasure of giving
you few pleasant moments after
school; and then, can trust fellow
with such face as you have"
IL am sorry I stayed"
"Run along, Lawton; we'll talk that
over after school,"
81 may not come back"
"Yes you Will. Now 90 out and have
n good time. Recesses are as short tc
me as they are to the rest of you
And the young man plunged into his
book and forgot all about Tom Lawton
for the time being.
To stay after school for punishment
was, in the eyes Of the girls, something
heroic though painful, hence Tom came
In for a large share of their pepper
mints, candy balls and little attentions
"Why don't you cut sticks and scooti
/ wouldn't stay for lambasting from
him." suggested playfellow to Tom.
Il could punch your nose for saying
that jim Brown; it's a mean thing tc
say to me. I've got licking coming