Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-08-18
The Delinquent
BY FRANK H. SWEET
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col

NJ OU Will remain IN anu 6Iuuy the
lesson two hours" said the
white-haired schoolmaster grimly. IF
you do not get it in that time | shall
punish you, as | would any of the other
boys. l shall make no exception"
The boy" was a stalwart, finely
formed man of 30, with clear eyes and
good-natured face. There was a humor-
Gus appreciation of the situation in his
eyes as he raised them to the old man,
who was scarcely more than half his
own weight. But all he said was,
That's right. schoolmaster; you
mustn't show partiality. But I've done
the best l could"
The schoolmaster regarded him for
some moments with unqualified disap-
proval, then turned and walked to-
ward his desk But half way there he
paused suddenly, cloud coming to his
face. After a little hesitation he re-
turned to the man.
Il do not want to fail in my duty to
any of the boys, Calvin Hepstead," he
said, "and if I have misjudged you in
any way, in jot or title, wish to rec
tify it. You have been with me three
months now, and have learned the let
ters and a few figures. But there you
suddenly stop, through obstinacy or in
difference or inability, l do not know
which, though | judge the former.
Since the Indian summer brought you
something three days ago you have
done little but look through the win
dow. | never expel any of my schol-
ars; I prefer to punish. Sometimes
that measure succeeds where others
fail. Can you advance any reason
whatever, Calvin Hepstead, why you
should not be punished?"
None whatever. Mr.. Peters" the
man answered, quietly. I've sue
ceeded in about every undertaken I've
tried, an some of 'em were pretty big
ones. If l don't learn the lesson
should be punished, of course"
The schOolmaster looked at the
strong, self-contained face with some
thing very like wistfulness mingling
with the disapproval of his eyes.
Yes, it is obstinacy," he said at last
slowly, more to himself than the other
ANY one can learn if he tries. A fail
ure to do SO should be corrected"
He went to his desk and examined
exercises for half an hour, then walked
back and forth across the small room.
finally stopping again beside Hepstead.
Il am going out to supper now, but
will be back in an hour and hear your
lesson" he said.
The man nodded without looking up
from slate which lay on the desk
before him. He was trying to form
figures from copy across the top of
the slate, and to combine them in a
simple sum of addition: but the great
fingers were better fitted for the stock
OF rifle or the helve of an axe or a
paddle handle than for a slate pencil
and the brain behind the wrinkling
brows, which was keen to read the
mysteries and wiles of primitive ma
ture, grew dull and vacuous before a
problem that would have been easy for
an ordinary boy of seven. Presently
the fixed stare left the slate and went
to the window and beyond to the great
forest, whose edge showed in the dis
tance, and then the eyes began to
warm and glow. When Mr. Peters
steps were heard returning the slate
was pushed aside quietly and the mans
arms were folded across his chest. The
schoolmaster's inquiring look was an
swered by one of absolute content.
$50 you have done it," the school
master said, with an accent of relief
in his voice. The affirmation seemed
plain in the mans eyes.
mo, sir, l amt done It,"
What" The relief became sur
prise, and the surprise wrath. "Not
done it, and sitting there looking
through the window. Come to my
desk, sir!"
Hepstead followed him smilingIy
The schoolmaster selected the heaviest
of his rulers.
Hold out your hand"
Hepstead did so, and the ruler de-
scended upon its palm with all the
force of the old mans arm, making A
long, livid line upon which the skin
began to rise A half dozen more lines
rained alongside it in quick success
sion, and then the ruler fell as though
the punishment were over. But Hen
stead was still smiling.
Hold out your other hand" ordered
the gchoolmaster, grimly Then. as the
man complied and that hand was also
crossed with livid lines, "Now. 90.
Tomorrow we will commence over
again."