St. Tammany farmer., 1906-03-31
WHY HEPSTEAD
LEFT THE SCHOOL
BY PRANK H. SWEET
Author >1 Tho lntervention of Provi-
dence." Etc.)
(Copyrisht, Ise6, By Joseph B. Bowlss.)

was. In2LS rlg0L. ScQOOlmaSteT,
you mustn't show partiality. But I've
done my best
a''l do not want to fail in my duty
to any of the boys" said the old
schoolmaster, "and II l have mis-.
Judged you in any way, in jot or little,
l 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 /;
I do not know which, though l 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, 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. II I don't learn the lesson l
should be punished, of course
The schoolmaster looked at the
strong, self-contained face with Some-
thing very like wistfulness mingling
with the sdisapproval in his eyes.
Eyes, It's obstinacy," he said at last,
slowly, more to himself than to the
other. anyone can learn II 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 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 q copy across the top
Of the slate, and to combine them in
simple sum Of addition; but the
great fingers were better fitted for the
stock of a rife or the helve Of an Ak
or q 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 q problem that would have
been easy for an ordinary child Of
seven. Presently the fxed stare left
the slate and went to the window,
and beyond to the great forest whose
edge showed ID the distance, aud then
the eyes began 10 swarm9 and i glow.
When Mr.. Peters steps were heard
returning, the slate 1ast pushed aside
quietly and the mans arms folded
across his chest. The schoolmaster's
inquiring look was answered by one.
Of 7absolute content.
80 you have done it?" the school,
master said, with an accent Of relief
in his voice.
'No, Sir. / amt done it,
What" The relief became sur.
prise, and the surprise wrath. Come
to my desk, siri |"
d Hepstead followed him. smilingly.
The schoolmaster selected the heavi-
est of his rulers. !. 4 IS. ssss 5sss s.
Hold out your hand
Hepstead did 90, and the ruler de-
5scended upon its palm with all the
force Of the old mans arm, making
long, liyid line upon which the skin
began to rise. A alf-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."
.We'll say good-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, indeeA,
but friendliness and exultati0n. Tbo
schoolmaster stared.
seWhy did you submit to this pun.
ishment then?" hs demanded.
"Oh, it was comm to me, guess.
/ didn't learn the lesson, an I don't
want any partiality. ! always give
what owe and take what's due me.
Yo may tell the boys good-by, 10
morrow. an say I'd like to have seen
more sc 'em. Generally I've been kept
in recesses, an at noon an night, -
re amt had much chance to git 40
quainted. !"
.And you are going away" said the
schcolmaster. with strong condemns