The San Francisco call., 1910-03-20
THE SICKROOM BOOSTER

Smoke and ash dust were every
where, some of the windows were
blown out and dear teachers desk was
bowled over. The children grabbed
their wraps and oyercoats and sN@armed
out like frightened bees; fire call was
made, bucket Brigale was formed to
the adjacent brook, and in few min
utes the fire was out
And that was how I graduated from
the little red schoolhouse on the hill,
and graduated without a diploma, but
1 commenced my life work as machine
apprentice the next day, so it was grad
uating and commencement sill in one
for me.
II served out my time in the machine
shop became an architect and builder
in Boston, went to the front during the
rebellion and returned with bullet in
for 1 put in my full time, then mar
ried and went west and prospercd
Years had passed when one summer 1
ran up to the village of my birth, and
whom should 1 run into but the old
school teacher decrepit and enjoying
only the comforts that hall bedroom
and 'batching it could give him.
HE remembered me- Yes well. And
this is how he began: Never been
hung? No. Never been in jail? No.
Well. well, wellr. Now look here, old
man, quit this, 1 said. Come With me
and We'll call it square. And l took
him into the general store Of the town
and fitted him from shoes 20 hat.
insisted on a plug hat, nothing else
would do. l saw extras wrapped up in
the way of supply of linen and wool
ems and then l was pleased and he sur
prised at his appearance, for had him
transformed then and there. 1 went to
few of the old boys of my school days
and, appealing to them. we managed to
chip in regularly, only small sum
monthly, but it was enough to keep the
old schoolmaster in a private family
and send him in comfort and plenty to
his final rest. Peace to his ashes. For
long ago l forgave him for burning my
jackknife.
"On this visit one of my school mates
suggested a walk to the little red
schoolhouse that remained intact all
these years, and, save for a coat of
paint just so often, was unchanged.
School was in session. AS l went in
/ looked for some of the telltale
marks. My initials were yet to be
seen cut deep into the oak settle; the
ceiling had been plastered since my
day. but on the maple floor, hardly
showing any wear in all these years.
were yet to be seen few charred
marks, the history of which / knew
only too well. Would 1 speak to the
children? Why, certainly. And
started in as by way of good example
and encouragement to tell them that
/, as boy many years ago, had at
tended that school. And I was a model
boy, good boy. And then l noticed
bright little girl in the front tit
tering. with her hands over her mouth
to prevent any explosion of laughter
on such a gala occasion.
$50 l said, Little girl, what is it
that makes you laugh SO? And back
she came with this: My grandmother
said at the breakfast table that she
went to school with you and that you
were the worst boy that ever came
to school; and-and-'
THAT will do, little girl, your grand
mother is thinking about my twin
brother
Il saw that my fame and reputation
was Yet green in the town and in a
day or two l left and went back to
my western home. never to visit the
place of my childhood days again.