The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-11-01
NOBLE BLOOD
CONTINUED from page thirteen.1

them all. He was no longer Of them.
AS K. was the largest and strongest CT
the = his words were llSteneu
to with close attention, and as every
body felt in their hearts that what ne
said was right, there came a pause OF
silence when he had done, no one
thinking Of any alternative to suggest.
Then the group around the table was
broken through by Little L., who had
been until then standing in the back
ground. His arms hung by his side
limp and nerveleSS; his eyes We're fNed
upon the floor. He evidently had
something which he wanted to say,
but had not h courage to do SO.
Little l.. has nothing to say what
ever in this matter said k.-he had
always been hostile to the two broth
ers. But this time ks words We're
not needed. He was not a popular
fellow anyway. and it was felt by ms
companions that he had something
mean and repulsive about him. He
was hat sort Of person who only at
tacks people smaller or weaker than
themselves and strives always to stand
in well with those more powerful.
An indignant whisper (all the proceed
ings were carried on in a whisper for
fear of %arousing the officers ran
through the room; Little l.. shall
certainly speak; he has a right to;
more right than anybody else here
AS the boy heard his comrades taking
llIS pdIl III CtIIIp ItltiJ p1ohC No"A
and his breast heaved with ~convuislve
sobs.
One Of his friends, laying his hand
upon Little LIS shoulder, said affec-
~tionately: Try and calm yourself; tell
US what it is you want to soy
Raising his white face, the boy sobbed
out: IF you report him he will be
thrown out of schooI-and then what
is to become of him. All was silent
knowing what Little l.. said was true
II his brother was dismissed from the
School for theft his future woul be
ruined. But said one Of the cadets,
you must see yourself that your
brother has been guilty of a most dis
graceful act and must be punished for
1t somehow" Little L. nodded a SOr-
rowful assent. For a moment the
cadet who had spoken was silent, and
h he said: ] propose that We give
Big l.. another chance in life. We
Will not ruin him utterly. Let US see
if there is not, after all, some good IN
him. | propose that he shall choose
for himself whether he will be re-
ported to the captain or will submits
to our giving him d sound fIOgging
and let the matter be forgotten there
after"
All the cadets agreed to this except
the one who had spoken SO roughly
to Little L., the cadet K. But his
words were not needed and Little |.
was told to go and fetch his brother.
Dashing the tears from his eyes, the
little fellow ran upon his mission and
soon returned with his big, glOwerins
brother. Big l.. looked no one in the
face. but stood silently and sullenlv
in the midst Of the circle Of cadets,
stOlidly awaiting his doom, while Little
L. Stood with his eyes fixed upon the
culprit with a look Of the deepest sor-
row and anxiety. Big l.. was asked if
he Acknowledged having stolen the
sword belt. Yes" he replied. Did
he realize that such an act made him
uworthy Of the companionship Of his
fellow cadets. Yes" again. Did he
prefer to be denounced to the captain
or to suffer personal chastisement at
the hands of his comrades? The
latter ne replied.
A murmur Of satisfaction ran around
the room, every one excepting K. be-
ing glad that the affair was to so ter
inmate. A big. strong rattan was
brought and Big l.. was laid on the
table in the center of the room, his
back barred and X, as the biggest and
strongest Of the boys, appointed exc
cutioner-a post which pleased him.
The candles were taken from the
table and held high in the air by the
cadets. K. stepped back, raised his
rattan and brought it down with all his
force upon the back Of the culprit.
The boy rave a moan of anguish as
the fearful blow landed and was on
the point Of giving vent to q yell, when
Little l.. rushed forward and, burying
his brothers face in his shoulder.
whispered earnestly: Don't cry, don't
cry out. or all will be discovered Big
l.. restrained his inclination to howl,
and only q to himself. But
when the switch Of K. descended upon
him q second tine he struggled SO that
those who were holding his hands and
feet could hardly restrain him, while
Little L., who had flung both arms.
around his brothers neck, was almost
sitting him with the force Of his EN-
brace.
Little LIS face was death1y white
and he was trembling in every limb
they all felt that they could not endure
the painful scene longer. When x.
had delivered another energetic blow
there arose from all sides q murmur:
That's enough; stop it." But K.