The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-06-12

with apparent permanence to the
waistcoat button Of James Russell
Lowell just above the 'tu'' in "Rus
SELL"
Glasses came and classes went, grill
ing him with eyes Newcomers re-
ceived the story Of the crime in dark.
ling whispers, and the outcast sat
and squirmed and squirmed and
squirmed. He did one or two things
with his spine which professional
contortionist would have observed
with real interest.) And all this while
of freezing suspense was but the
criminals detention awaiting trial. A
known punishment may be anticipated
with some measure Of equanimity-at
least, the prisoner may prepare him
self to undergo it-but the unknown
looms more monstrous for every at
tempt to guess it. Penrod's crime was
unique. There were no rules to aid
him in estimating the vengeance to fall
upon him for 1t. What seemed most
probable was that he would be expel-
led from the school in the presence
OF his family, the mayor and council
and whipped afterward by his father
upon the state house steps, with the
entire city as audience by invitation
Of the authorities.
Noon came. The rows Of children
| A1oG or1f ovarv hoo 4 &,,r~io-p 4~,. a II ~
unpleasingly speculative look at the
| outlaw. Then Miss Spence closed the
door into the cloakroom and that into
the big hall and came and sat at her
desk, near Penrod. The tramping OF
feet outside, the shrill calls and shout
ing and the changing voices of the
older boys ceased to be heard-and
there wasssilence, Penrod, stu, affect.
! ing to be occupied with Lowell, was
conscious that Miss Spence looked at
him intently. ~
"Penrod," she said gravely. what
excuse have you to offer before re-
port your case to the principal?"
The word "principal'' struck him to
the vttals. Grand inquisitor, grand
khan, sultan, emperor. czar, Caesar
Augustus-these are comparable. He
stopped squirming instantly and sat
rigid. x.
II want an answer. why did you
shout those words at me?'
"Well," he murmured, II was just
thinking,
Thinking what?" she asked sharply.
IT don't know"
"That won't dol" -s> T.
He took his left ankle in his right
hand and regarded it helplessly.
"That won't do, Penrod schoheld,"
she repeated severely. If that Is all
the excuse you have to offer shall re-
port your case this instant!''
And she rose with fatal intent.
But Penrod was one Of those whom
the precipice inspires. "Well, have
got an excuse" :. .-...-.-- ...
"Well'-she paused impatiently-
"what Is it2' 80 g. ri - g 81. ID:
He had not an idea, but he felt one
coming and replied automatically in q
plaintve tone: @s%s.~:s.$*.. s.. =
II guess anybody that had been
through what 1 had to 60 through last
night would think they had an ex-
cuse.'' E* II Il 49, %->
Miss Spence resumed her seat,
though with the air 81 being ready to
leap from it instantly. r
'What has last night to do with your
insolence to me this morning?"
"Well, I guess you'd see" he re-
turned, emphasizing the plaintive note,
1T you knew what know
'Now, Penrod," she said, In a kinder
| voice, II have high regard for your
mother and father; and It would hurt
me to distress them, but you must ei-
Their tell me what was the matter with
you or I'll have to take you to Mrs
| Houston" IS 2 IA Z q. i !, sz b
"well, amt l going tor he cried,
spurred BY the dread name. Its be-
cause didn't sleep last night" .s
Were you ill7'' The question was
put with some dryness. e q
He felt the dryness. Nom; j
wasn't ss
i AAS,AA 0OA4AT O1O yVUE# 6N41uy
was SO III that even you were kept
up NIL night, how does sit happen they
let Won come to school this morning p
ct wasn't Illness he returned,
shaking his head mournfully. 'It was
lots worse'n any body's being sick. Il
vast swas--Well 1t was jest awful
What was ~ He marked with anxi-
ETY. the incre utility n her tone. 81.
1T was about Aunt Glars, 2 he said.
our Aunt Clara r she repeated.
Do you mean your mot s sister,
who married Mr.. FAIRY of Dayton,
~. q
Incle :1ehn. !, sre.rrnas Pe.rQd
3,