Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-01

at that period, she whipped Kim
regularly three times a week. It was
considered the most direct way Of
reaching the conscience.
But Kim never could remember a
whipping more than a day and a halt,
or at the longest three days; and Miss
Pentecost began to grow discouraged.
! Must Kim always go on doing mischief
and negIecting his lessons, a boy who
could learn so we'll If he chose? She
knew his mother, a poor widow with
large family of children, and she was
sure Mrs. Price could not afford to
send Kim to school merely to play.
What can I say or do to make an
impression on that child?" thought
Miss Pentecost one day as she tied
, the strings Of her Bingham "log-cabin'
school house. .
/ Just then she caught these words
spoken by Kim with great energy. and
| a flourish Of firsts: "Tell you It's true,
Bob Whiting, for mother said So and,
If mother said so; and, If mother says
it's so, it's so, If it amt SOL
| Miss Pentecost laughed all to her
self and passed on through the sand
bank into the dusty road When she
had gone as far as the big willow, she
paused a little and laughed again.
! II liked to hear boy talk SO about
his mother, even if it is nonsense. Kim
| is an affectionate little fellow, and |
shouldn't wonder if he is pretty
good son. Anyway, I have an idea,
and mean to try it, and see how it
will work"
Next day was the time for one of
Kims regular whippings. He>had been
more trying than usual. and Miss
Pentecost sent Bob Whiting out for a
remarkably strong birch stick, which
could express her feelings better than
the old one which stood in the corner.
| She spent some time In trimming the
new twig, though she was careful to
leave few knots on it, which would
give emphasis to the blows.
"I think never ST. a better birch
stick said she. looking at 1t admir-
ingly. Now, Kimball, you may take
of your jacket"
|
he always kept half the buttons un-
fastened to save time. Miss Pentecost
gave him an unusually hard whipping,
and after 1t he cried till he could
hardly see out of his eyes. He thought
that was enough and it was what the
boys call "a square thing" but at
night, as he was running out of the
school house whistling. Miss Pentecost
called him up to her desk.
well. Kimball, I've whipped you
hard today, very hard" Kim thought
there was no doubt about that.
"Yes'm," responded he meekly.
| Look at this stick. Didn't take
pains to get good one?"
"Yes'm,' said kim, but he didn't
gaze at the stick as If he loved it. II,
| "Do you know, Kimball, it is very
hard work to whip you? It lanes my
arm, and it hurts my feelings. Really
I cant afford to do it day after day for
nothing" 5s.5
Kim looked up in surprise. This was
| a new view of the matter.
"You understand me- Kimball?
| can't afford to do it for nothing any
more. There's not another boy In
school I've whipped so often as you,
and this time l must be paid for 1t.
Don't you think that's fair?" :,
| "Yes'm,' said Kim in intense amaze.
ment, his eyes as black and shining
as watermelon seeds.
"Well, Kimball, think it's worth at
least twenty-five cents, and I don't
want you to come to school tomorrow
without bringing me the money. Tell
your mother about it, and tell her, II
you don't bring it, I shall have to send
! you home for it. Goodnight, Kimball,
and remember what I say
"Yes'm.'
what did she do you to you this
time?" asked Joe Fuller, who had
been waiting outside.
20, go long, now; she didn't do any
thing to me-" replied Kim sheepishly.
Come, let's run down to the pond,
and catch blood-suckers." -
Next morning, about school-time,
Kim stole along into the shed-kitchen
and hung about the cheese-tub where
his mother was cutting curd.
"Why don't you start for school?
You'll be late, my SON." .....
"The mistress whipped me yester-
day." muttered Kim, helping himself
to lump of curd
Ibid she? Well, I've no doubt you
deserved it. There. run along. and see
If you can't be better boy today"
"But mother"
"Well, what?'' 49,.
why, you see, the mistress"
well, speak it out, sonny. I'm in a
hurry"
"Why. you see. mother, the mistress
wants twenty-five cents for whipping
me-"
TWENTY-FIVE cents?"
"She says it famed her ARM said
Kim, hanging his head. "She says she
can't do it for nothing. and. If I don't
bring it, she'll have to send me home. '
Mrs. Price looked down at the curly
haired culprit with a twinkle of fun in
her eyes-she had black eyes very
much like Kim.
well. sonny, 20 get my purse out