News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1905-02-15

PNA'NcA
introduced into the new business,
which he made pay. lie, unlike his
wife, was rapacious in his pursuit of
money, and the qualifications he de-
priyed himself of made him exercise
severity to the boys which was IN
pleasant to the latter.
Mr.. Crawceur ran up to town by a
cheap train, having various matters of
business to transact, and in the even
ing called upon Mr. Scratchley, hoping
that he dined late and would give him
an invitation, as he had only RECALLED
himself upon a penny bun and a glass
of water since leaving home in the
morning.
Jack was in the dining room when
this gentleman arrived, undergoing a
severe lecture for having, when asked
by Mrs. Scratchley to give her pocket
handkerchief which lay on the sofa,
skillfully inserted a mouse which he
had in trap in his pocket. The mouse
ran over Mrs. Scratchley's face and
down her, so that she nearly had fit
there and then.
Come in, come in, beg" said Mr..
Scratchley himself opening the draw
ing room door and holding in the other
hand the schoolmaster's card.
"Do not disarrange the delightful
privacy of your family circle for
humble laborer in the great cause of
human Improvement SIR" said Mr..
CraWcour.
Il will not, Mr.. Crawcour. You shall
be treated as one of ourselves. Mr..
Crawcour, Mrs. Scratchley. My dear,
this gentleman is the principal of Po-
mona House"
"a very welcome visit" replied Mrs.
Scratchley.
You are too good, madam" the prin-
cipal said, with bow and a smile.
Il trust you are not in a hurry for an
hour or two. because we dine directly,
and if you will honor us with your com
pany we shall be more than proud, and
we shall have an opportunity of con-
versing at our ease" said Mr.. Scratch
ley. The principal was not in a great
hurry and would dine. Looking round
The room. he saw Jack and proceeded
to the sofa, where the lad was sitting,
saying, My pupil, presume?"
'Precisely." replied Mrs. Scratchley,
A very bad boy, sir. | hope your dis
cipline is strict and wholesome"
Don't blackcn the lad. We should
never start with prejudice. Let Mr.
Crawcour find him out. Let him find
him out: that's what mean to say"
corrected her husband.
Mr. Lewis Crawcour sat down by
jacks side and patted him on the head.
Il hope we shall be friends he OBJ
served, "for"-
With a subdued howl he sprang from
his seat and, placing his hand behind
him, murmured while his face was dis
torted with rage, This is painful, ex
tremely painful"'
What has happened?' cried Mr.
Scratchey.
l"rhat boy has been up to his tricks
again" said his wife.
Why" said Jack in establishment,
''if the gentleman hasn't sat down up
on the point of packing needle. Who
could have put it there? Come and sit
here, sir
He moved on one side, and Mr.. Craw-
cour sat down again, this time very
carefully. Jack with great dexterity
managed at the same time to insert
something in his pocket, and when the
principal wished to wipe the perspira
ton from his face he took out what he
thought was his pocket handkerchief.
1t happened, however, to be the lamp
rag, which Jack had put in the place
of the spOtless cambria.
Being rather in the shade, Mr.. Craw-
cOur did not notice the mistake, but
mopped his face prodigiously.
In short time he was something of
the color of Christy minstrel
Rub under the ears, sir, and the
throat" said Jack. You're quite wet
with perspiration."
THANK you, my young friend; l
shank YOU answered the principal.
BE off; out of the room, you, SIR"
said Mr.. Scratchley to Jack.
What for? | want some dinner"
said Jack.
Dine in the kitchen. 1t is not safe
TO have you in the room, you are so
full of your tricks. Be off"
He makes me quite nervous" re-
marked Mrs Scratchley.
He is of a perverse generation, but
l forgive him, although it was painful"
said Mr.. CraWcour as his hand disap,
peared behind him again.
Jack took his departure
You'll have chance of paying him
out if he goes 10 your seminary" OBJ
served Mr.. Scratchley. You are in
favor Of corporal punishment, l be-
lieve."
with notifications
Come to the fire. Dinner will be up
directly, and we can discuss terms,
etc, while we have the time. You |
must be cold out there" Mr.. Scratch |
ley went on
"Thank you, l will avail myself of |
your kind offer"
The principal came into the full blaze
of the lights.
"Why, dear me, how very odd!
never observed it before" said Mrs. |
Scratchley, staring at him.