Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-01-16
4 Mean PLOT
THAT FAILED.

Seated In a corner Of the playground
Df ST. Charles college was Q group OF
boys laughing. Joking and funmakiny
Among these boys was Jack Simms.
The funniest person on earth I'm bis
own opinion, and the black sheep OF
the college. II any mischief were done
or moonlight excursions occurred-in
deed, any kind of wrongdoing that
could be thought of-Jack Simms and
bis followers were undoubtedly the
perpetrators. But simms had another
great fault. and that was an uncon-
troIlable bullying spirit
Presently Pat Mcclure. boy who a
short time before had come from Ire
land, entered the yard and sat down
with them. BE had the ready wit with
which his c0untrymen are 30 gifted
and was liked by nearly all who knew
him.
simms started to play tricks on Pat.
whose handkerchief was tied into
knot, his pockets filed with stones and
his books hidden. Beans were thrown
down his neck. bis collar detached
from his shirt-in fact. everything that
could make him uncomfortable was
done. Pat rose and went to get a
drink at the pump Simms IN the
meantime placed u tack In an upright
position on the seat lately occupied by
the young lrishman. In few mo
ments Pat returned and sat down. but
got up again mighty quickly. His eyes
flashed angrily. and. addressing Simms'
he said. Ibid you do thatT
well, II / didT was the answer.
you're q mean fellow. and I've
mind to thrash you"
"Have your said Simms. and with
that he dealt Pat blow on the cheek.
He had cause to regret II moment
later. when Pat gave him tap on the
nose that made stars aash before his
eyes. The project Of discipline came
into the yard at this moment. and the
Youthful fighters and their hackers lost
no time In making themselves scarce
But ever after that Simms was q ot-
ter enemy Of Pat
Pat and Simms were In the same
class and were contestants for the an
nual prize offered for the best English
composition. The subject Of this com
position was "Heroism." All compost
tons were to,be given to the teacher
ON June TO-
As that day approached simms be
gan to have fears as to whether ne
would win the prize or not However,
he felt certain that bis essay was bet
ter than any of the other boys com
positions with the exception OF Pat
McGuire's. and so he resolved that II
he could not win by fair means ne
would by foul One night he called
Tom Blake. crony Of his, who had
not nm ounce of brains or moral cour
age. and told him that Pat Mcclure
had been getting too fresh" and need
ed ITO be called down" and said he
would give him dollar If he stole
that Irish fools" composition on June
10 and gave It to him. Now. II the
plan succeeded Pat would not have
time to rewrite his essay and simms
would probably be the winner.
Little did Simms dream that his plot
would be overheard. yet such was the
case. for the rector had unwittingly
heard every word Of the wicked
scheme. and he resolved to spoil the
game.
In the morning Of June 10 Pat and
Tom Blake walked together to school.
Tom was very pleasant. and while tell
Ing Pat 8 story he contrived to steal
bis composition and plnce In Its stead
m envelope filled with newspaper.
Having arrived at the college. Tom
and Pat separated. the former going
az was agreed. to the back Of the In
Urinary. where he met Simms. who
was delighted with Toms success.
simms took n crisp dollar bill from his
pocket and handed 1t to his agent and
was about to burn Pats composition
when the rector came forward and
said. "Simms. give me that paper.
simms turned pale when he saw that
reverend gentleman. but did as he was
hidden. The rector told the culprits he
had overheard their scheme and as 1t
was not their Hrst offense Of that kind
they must leave st. Charles college
that very day. that very hour In vain
they pleaded for mercy. The rector
told them that It was his duty to expel
them. and so he did.
The winner of the prize was Pat Nc
CURE. and neither he nor anybody
else in st. Charles college except the
president ever knew why Jack Simms
and Tom Blake were expelled