The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-11-27
SINS OF CHILDREN
BY ANNETTE SYMMES.

oAu III the 1ourIH BTdue room OF Ile
Bellingham school the weather, react
ing as it always does upon the pupils,
had produced a state of inattention,
restlessness and disorder, which grew
more marked with every hour. Miss
Booth, the pretty little teacher, had q
worried line creasing her smooth white
forehead and there was worried
look in her soft brown eyes.
AS usual, the ringleader was Chaun-
cey Bartlett. During the first three
weeks of school he had been absent,
convalescing from a minor operation,
and Miss Booth, who was a stranger in
the place and new teacher In the
school, had had no especial trouble
with her pupils. But when Chauncey
got back, the young imps of the fourth
grade rallied to their leader to a boy;
the little girls loved their teacher and
frankly disapproved of those hor-
rid boys" The negative consolation
Of this, however, hardly offset the &C.
tive discomfort caused by the busy
Chauncey.
He was handsome boy, the only
child of Doctor Bartlett, and it was
whispered among the teachers that if
any of their number should presume to
infiict corporal punishment upon
Chauncey, the offender would not re-
main long in the Bellingham school.
Doctor Bartlett was said to be violent
ly opposed to corporal punishment.
Upon this day the principal was i'll
and at home. Chauncey, aware of the
fact, became more and more outrage
Gus until Miss Booth saw that she
must assert herself decidedly or lose
the last vestige of authority she pos
SeSSed.
The last straw was shrill whistle,
proceeding without the least conceal
ment from Chauncey's puckered lips.
"Chauncey," said the teacher, pass
into the dressing room. Albert, you
may act as monitor till I return"
She took from the desk drawer a
heavy ferule and followed the offend
er into the dressing room and closed
the door.
"Chauncey," she said, "hold out your
handw
The boys eyes widened.
"You whip me and I'll tell my IA
ther." he retOrted defiantly.
''Tell him, by all means" was the
spirited reply, land if he makes any
objections, I'll ferule him, too. Hold
out your hand!"
The unmistakable ring of authority
and of perfect fearlessness in her tone
had their effect. Chauncey held out
his hand and a few moments later was
trying to avoid whimpering over a
tingling pain. He was very quiet the
rest of the morning and the others,
awed by the events which had &C.
Cured, were models of behavior. He
did not return for the afternoon ses-
sion, however, and Miss Booth augured
the worst from the fact. She had just
finished experimenting her desk for
the night when there came a tap on
the door, and going to answer it, her
heart almost stopped beating to see
the splendid figure of Doctor Bartlett
towering before her.
Miss Booth, l believer" he began
her mute gesture of invitation. 81 I'M
derstand that you feruled my son
Chauncey today"
81 did, said Miss Booth.
"And that you said if l had any OBJ.
iections you would ferule me?"
81 did," repeated Miss Booth. Hold
our your hand !"
She was close to the breaking point,
WEAKNESS and fear and loneliness all
but overwhelmed her. 1t was all
over! She would lose her position,
perhaps have great trouble in getting
another
"And now" said the doctor, quietly,
rubbing his hands upon his handker-
chief, lets talk this over. You see, l
haven't any objections to your ferul-
ing my SOM"
Miss Booths face became ashen.
Don't be disturbed, l beg" said the
doctor. 81 understand the whole thing.
Chauncey is, as you know, motherleSs
| am away from home too much to
give him the attention he needs, and
he winds our cook round his little fin
ger. It Is true, do not believe in
whipping children too often, but there
comes time with some when nothing
else, apparently, will bring them to
their senses. Chauncey has used
mistaken impression which prevailed
about me to tyranniZe over his teach
ers. | felt that any teacher without
backbone enough to enforce obedience
without fear or favor deserved no as
sistance from me. l am glad that he
has found one Of the other kind at
last. He is at present in bed at home
and think l can promise you that he
will be obedient in the future!'
Miss Booth sat down weakly in her
chair. The room was going round and
the doctor was becoming a giant She
presently woke to find him holding
water to her lips, her head pillowed
comfortably against his great arm.
you little thoroughbred" voice
was saying above her. 81 never en-
ioyed anything like those Slaps with
the ferule!'
=
The next June the doctor transformed