Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-15
Hezekiah'S
Mistake
A Scholar Who Didn't Like
School Discipline.
BY G'WSENDoLlN ADAMS
Copyright. 1909. BY American Press
snhor Association.

Watson. The history class was up
for recitation, but Hexekiah, though
he had plenty Of brains. had not ap.
Piled them to studying the lesson.
He was growing decidedly uncom-
Portable. He knew we'll what an un-
prepared lesson meant, for In those
days no weak leniency was shown to
delinquents. 20 be sure. this was the
first recitation Hezekiah had missed
during the term, but was not that an
aggravation or the offense? Since he
had managed so long without falling.
why fail at all?
Hezekiah was aware that as soon az
the class was dismissed he would re-
ceive not altogether unmerited flog-
ging. He was perspiring mt every pore.
The icicles with which he had meant
TO refresh the thirsty occupants OF
the back seats melted I'm the intense
neat, and tiny stream OF ice water
tricklea slowly from the extremity of
either pocket aud formed miniature
pool In the bottom OF each cowhide
boot.
The young offender was growing
desperate. and when the master. hay-
ing dismissed the other members OF
the history class. turned to him with
the command, Take or your coat
sir!' the boy stepped forward and
obeyed with feeling OF actual relief.
Your conduct has been most repre-
hensiblc. sir" said the master push
Ing up his coat sleeve and testing tho
strength or bis ruler, while thirty
pairs OF eyes gnZed spellbound and
awful silence reigned.
Most reprehensIble, sir" ho repeat
ed, aud the ruler fell with thwack
which sent the blood tingIing through
every vein In the culprit's body.
Hezekiah, never knew exactly what
happened after that. lie remembered
that an Insane desire for vengeance
overcame him. He wanted to thrash
the master, to thrash the whole school.
Before the weapon could descend a
second time he sprang at his assail-
ant with .clinched fists aud blazing
eyes,
Uliere was n moment OF breathless
siIencel while the angry master col
Jared his refractory pupil and shook
MIN as q terrier shakes rat. Then
the nat sided ruler was once more
brought Into active play upon the back
OF Hezekiah Griggs.
NOW, sir" Said the master when M
length, becoming weary Of such severe
exertion. he released his hold on uez-
ekiah s coal collar, take your sent and
learn your history
Needless ofllthe command. flc bo,S
seized his Jacket aud. snafcifing II,
cap from It's peg OH lie wnll. male
rush Tor the door. He gained IL viii
Iut opposition. and before the u +.
shed master had time To recover fro,
us surprise lie was racing along e.
highway toward home.
Into the big, roomy kitchen. wiz,
'randfather Grlggs himself sal IN
rPat armchair coming the V.rr'f
'ews. with grandmother Grices ,hr
~ pairing appIes, he dashed Ike
unaway engine.
why. Hezckiah," cXclalncd q
sood oil woman, looking soncwh
startled, "a body ii think you'd be-
irpd from caunoD by the Way -,
ONE flying In. What's happencdY"
lczck,ah sat down and began fn g..
plain.
You don't mean TO say you'yr RI,
way from school," said thc old man
when the boy had reached the mos
interesting part Of his narrative. "Oa.
Hezckiahw
The exclamation was full Of sorrow.
ful surprise, and Hezekinh's eyes fell.
I'm not going back to school any
more" he said doggedly.
He did not dare look up, Tor no knew
the old man had set his heart on his
becoming an educated man. and he
expected him to be very angry. But
grandfather took or his glasses. giped
them and said:
well. Hezekiab, we won't talk about
1t tonight You'd best 20 to the barn
and thrash peas till supper time. and
well settle this matter about school
tomorrow"
Hezekiah obeyed. He went about tin
dark looking triumphant.
Staying away from school was next
thing TO beating the master. He slept
we'll and arose firm I'm his determine
tlon not to return to school. When his
grandfather called him aside after
breakfast and tried TO convince him
that be was wrong Hezeklah was still
sesolute.
We'll, Hezeklab," the old man said
at last, Since your minds made ND
there's no use Of urging you further. |
I'd have been glad enough II you had |
gone. and II you'd have stuck 20 It |
wouldn't have minded q year or two |
at college TO finish OF with. AZ n is,
you'll have 20 earn your living some |
other way, and I suppose the sooner |
you set about II the better"
I'm willing to work, grandfather" |
Hezekiah said, In some surprise.
Yes, know, and shouldn't won.
der II Silas Jones would give you n 4