Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-02
| WHY HEPSTEAD | LEFT THE SCHOOL By FRANK H. SWEET Author Of . The intervention of Prov.
 dehce. Etc.)
tcopyrisht, 1905. by Joseph B. Bowlss.)

You will remain in and study the lesson two hours," said the white haired schoolmaster grimly. If you do not get it in that time shall pun ish you, as would any of the other boys. shall make no exception" i The 'boy" was stalwart, finely formed man of 30, with clear eyes and good.natured face. There was hu- morous 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 schoolmsster, you mustn't show partiality. But I've done my best"
 T do not want to fail in my duty to any of the boys" said the old schoolmaster "and if have mis- judged you in any way, in jot or little. wish to rectify it. You have been with me three months now. and have learned the letters and few figures. But there you suddenly stop, through obstinacy or indifference or inability; do not know which, though judge the former. Since the Indian runner brought you something three days ago you have done little but look through the window. never expel any of my scholars; prefer to punish. Can you advance any reason whatever, Calvin Hepstead, why you should not be pun ished?"
 None whatever, Mir. Peters," the man answered, quietly. I've suc- ceeded in about every undertakin' I've tried, an some of 'em were pretty big ones. If I don't learn the lesson I should be punished, of course"
 The schoolmaster looked at the strong, self-contained face with some thing very like wistfulness mingling with the disapproval in his eyes. "Yes, it's obstinacy," he said at last, slowly, more to himself than to the other Anyone can learn if he tries. A failure should be corrected"
 He went to his desk and exam fined exercises for half an hour, then walked back and forth across the small room, finally stopping again be- side Hepstead. ''I'm going out to sup per 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 rife or the helve of an ax 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 primi. tive nature, grew dull and vacuous before a problem that would have been easy for an ordinary child 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 distance, and then the eyes began to warm and glow. When MT. Peters steps were heard returning, the slate was pushed aside quietly and the mans arms folded across his chest. The schoolmaster's inquiring look was answered by one of absolute content.
 "so you have done iti" the school master said, with an accent of relief in his voice.
 No. sir, I ain't done It."
 What" The relief became sur. prise. and the surprise wrath. Come to my desk, sir!" Ir
 Hepstead followed him smilingly. The schoolmaster selected the heavi- est 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 raised alongside 1t 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 scars: Now go. Tomorrow we will commence over again"
 "well say gooi-by tonight. school. master" Hepstead answered. I'm going away-back into my woods"
 There was no anger in the voice. no trace of resentment-nothing. indeed. but friendliness and erultation. The schoolmaster stared.
 "why did you submit to this pun ishment then7" he demanded
 soh. it was eomin' to me. I guess. diin't learn the lesson. an I don't want any partiality. always give what I owe and take what's due me. 1 Ye may tell the boys good-by, to morrow. an say I'd like to have seen more of 'em. Generally I've been kept in recesses. an at noon an night. so we ain't had much chance [ git ae- quairted-"
 And you are going away said the schoolmsster. with strong eoniemna- ton in his voice. T have not had much faith In you. Hepsteai. but I thought bttter than this You came here for an eduestion. and have been