The Irish standard., 1904-09-10
The Delinquent
! BY FRANK H. SWEET
tcopyrlsht, leo4, BY Daily story Pub. Coz

NOpyr1Sht, lsVa, by DAILY story Pub. COL
NNO GU will remain in and study the
lesson two hours" said the
white-haired schoolmaster, grimly. III
you do not get it in that time l shall
punish you, as would any of the other
boys. shall make no exception"
The "boy" was stalwart, finely
formed man of 80, with clear eyes and
, good-natured face. There was humor-
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"
Tho 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 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 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
tiers and few figures. But there you
suddenly stop, through obstinacy or in
difference or inability, do not know
which, though Judge the former.
Since the Indian summer brought you
something three days ago you have
done little but lool1 through the win
dow. l 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 don't learn the lesson I
Should be punished, of course"
The schoolmaster looked at the
strong, self-contained lace with some
thing very like wistfulness mingling
with the disapproval of his eyes.
eyes, 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 a 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 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
lance. 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.
''No, sir, ain't done it."
. "What!" The relief became sur
prise, and the surprise wrath. "Not
done it, and sitting there looking
through the window. Come to nv
desk, sir!"
Hepstead followed him smilinsly.
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 q
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 Hep
stead was still smiling.
"Hold out your other hand" ordered
the schoolmaster, grimly. Then, as the
man complied and that hand was also
crossed with livid lines, "Now, go.
Tomorrow we will commence over
again."
'Well say good-by tonight, school
MASTER" Hepstead answered. "I'm
,goin' away-back into my woods"
There was no anger in the voice, no
trace of resentment-nothing, indeed,
but friendliness and exultation. The
schoolmaster stared.