Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-28
HE WOMAN THOU CAVEST ME ta@4 e

tress here. VIII none of you big girls
come and help me-"
With the utmost alacrity, one big
girl from a back bench came rushing
to the schoolmistress assistance. 1t
was Messy Macleod, and together,
after a fierce struggle, they tore me
from my desk, like an Ivy branch
from a tree, and dragged me into the
open space in front of the classes. Ely
this time the schoolmistress' hands,
and I think her neck, were scratched,
and from that cause also she was
quivering with passion.
stand there, miss" she said, "and
move from that spot at your peril
My own fury was now spent, and
in the dead silence which had fallen
on the entire school. l was beginning
to feel the shame of my ignominious
position.
Children" cried the schoolmis-
tress addressing the whole Of the
scholars, put down your states and
listen"
Then, as soon as she had recov-
cred her breath, she said, standing by
my side and pointing down to me:
This child came to school with the
character OF a wilful. wicked little
character of willful, wicked little
character BY gross disobedience she
has brought herself TO where you see
her. Spare the rod, spoil the child is
a Scriptural maxim, and the foolish
parents who ruin their children by
overindulgence deserve all that comes
to them. But there is no reason why
other people should suffer, and, small
as this child is. she has made the
life of her excellent aunt intolerable
by her ENJOYABLE, unsociable and I'M
childlike disposition. Children, she
vas sent to school to be corrected of
her faults, and I order you to stop
your lessons while she is publicly
punished"
Martin to Rescue.
With this parade of the spirit of
justice, the schoolmistress stepped
back and left me. l knew what she
was doing-she was taking her cane
out of the desk which stood by the
wall. l heard the desk opened with
an impatient clash, and then closed
with an angry bang. ] was as sure rs
If 1 had had eyes in the back of my
holding the cane in both hands and
timber
l felt utterly Inundated. Standing
there with all eyes upon me. ! was
conscious of the worst pain that en-
ters into child's eXperience-the pain
of knowing that other children are
looking upon her degradation.
thought of Aunt Bridget and my lit
tie heart cholzed with anger. Then
thought of my mother, and my throat
! throbbed with shame. / remembered
what my mother had said of her lit
tie Mary being always a little lady,
and felt crushed at the thought that
! was about to be whipped before all
the village children.
At home | had been protected If
only by my others tears, but here
little and helpless. But just as my
lip was beginning to drop at the
thought of what my mother would
suffer il she saw me in this position
of infamy, and | was ABOUT to cry out
to the schoolmistress: Don't beat
me! On, please don't beat me!" 4
strange thing happened, which turned
my shame into surprise and triumph.
Through the mist which had gath
cred before my eyes l saw boy COM
ing out of the boys class at the
end of the long room 1t was Mar
tin Conrad, and I remember that he
rolled as he walked like old Tommy
the gardener. Everybody saw him,
and the schoolmistress said, in her
sharp voice.
Martin Conrad, what right have
you> to leave your place without per-
mission? Go back, sir, this very mo-
ment."
Instead OF going back, Martin came
on, and as he did so ne dragged his
big soft hat out of the belt of his
Norfolk Jacket and with both hands
pulled it down hard on his head.
Go back, sir" cried the school
mistress, and l saw her step toward
him with the cane poised and switch
ing in the air, as If about to strike.
The boy said nothing, but just shak-
ing himself like a big dog he dropped
his head and butted at the schoolmis-
tress as she approached him, struck
her somewhere in the waist and sent
her staggering and gasping against
the wall.
Then, without a word, he took my