Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1906-06-13

"
EYou will remain in and study the
lessRn two hours" said the white
hairNd schoolmaster grimly. IF you
do nj T get 1t in that time shall pun
ish You, as | would any of the other
boy8 shall make no exception"
The boy" was stalwart, finely
formed man of 80, with clear eyes and
goo&-natured face. There was hui
morbus 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 partially. But I've
done my best"
Il do not want to fail in my duty
to any Of the boys" said the old
schoolmaster, "and IL 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 mot 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 yon
advance any reason whatever, Calvin
Hepstead, why you should not be pun
ished?"
None whatever, Mr., Peters" the
man answered, quietly. I've sue
ceeded in about every undertaken I've
tried, an some of EN- were pretty big
ones. II don't learn the lesson /
should be punished, Of course"
The schoolmaster looked at the
strong, self-contatned face with some
thing very like usefulness mingling
with the disapproval in his eyes.
Eyes, it's obstinRcy" 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
ined 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 win be back in an hour
and hear your lesson" he said.
The man nodded without looking up
from a slate which lay on the desk
before him. He was trying to form
figures from q copy across the top
of the slate, and to com bine them in
. simple sum OF addition; but the
great fingers were better fitted for the
stock of rife or the helve of an AK
or a paddle handle than for q slate
pencil; and the brain behind the
wrinkling brows, which was keen to
read the mysteries and wiles of print
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 Mr.. 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
o. absolute content.
80 you have done it?" the school
master said, with an accent Of relief
inshis voice.
no, sir, amt done it.
what" The relief became sur.
prise, and the surprise wrath. Come
TO my desk, sir!"
Hepstead followed him smilingIy.
The schoolmaster selected the heavi-
est Of his rulers.
Hold out your hand"
Hepstead did 90, 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 schcolmaster, grimly. Then as
the man complied and that hand was
also crossed with scars: Nov 90.
Tomorrow we win commence over
again" E,
'We1I ray good-by tonight, school.
master" Hepstead answered. "I'm
going away--back into my woods
There was 10 anger in the voice. no
trace Of resentment nothing. indeed,
but ffiendliness and exultation. The
schooImaster stared
why did you submit to this pun
ishment then!" he demanded
aOh, IL was comm to me, | guess.
( didn't learn the lesson, an den't
want any paftaiity. 4 always give
What owe ana take what's due me.
Ye may tell the boys good-by, to-
borrow, an nay I'd like to have seed
more Of EN- Generally I've been kept
III recesses, an at noon am night, 10
We amt had much chance to GIT acs
Qnainted."
"And you are going away" said the
echo6Imaster, with strong condemna4
ton IN hls vOiCeS n hive not Ind
much faith In YOU Hepatead, but i
thought better than tAlA You came
n .' d -.