The Press., 1920-01-01
SINS OF CHILDREN
By ANNETTE STMM ES.


 tCopyr.gnt. l349. M..>----re Newspaper eyn-
 diCnte)
 It was a bleak. rainy autumn day and in the fourth grade room of the 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 a worried line creaSing her smooth white forehead and thee was worried look in her soft brown eyes.
 As usual, the ringleader was Chaun- cey Bartlett. During the first three weeks of school h" 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. Eut when Chauncey got back. the youn~ impS of the fourth grade rallied to their leader to boy !; the little girls loved their teacher and frankly disapproved of "tho%e hor- rid boys" The negative consolation of this however, hardly offset the ac- tive discomfort caused Dy the busy ChaunCey.
 He was a handsome boy, the only child of Doctor Bartlett, and it was whispered among the teachers that if any of their number should presume to innict corporal punishment upon Chauncey, the offender would not re main long in the Bellingham school. Doctor Bartlett was said to lie violent ly opposed to corporal punishment.
 Upon this day the principal was ill and at home. Chauncey, aware of the fact, became more and more outrage ous until Miss Booth saw that she must assert herself decidedly or lose the last vestige of authority she pos sessed.
 The last straw was a 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 return.'
 She tool1 from the desk drawer a heavy fc..,llp and followed the otTenf- CT into the dressing room and closed the door.
 "Chauncey," she said, hold out your hand!"
 The boys eyes NidenCd.
 "Iou whip me and I'll tell my ia ther." he retorted 'letiaEt!y.
 "Tell him. by ,Il me"ns,' was the spirited reply. "a!:A if he makes any objections. I'll fe'ule him, too Hold out your hand!
 Thn unmiStakable ring of authority and of perfect fearlessness in her tone had their effect. Chauncey held out his hard and few moments later was trying to avoid Whimp~iing over a tinglng pain. He was very quiet the rest of the morning and the others, awed by the events. which had O. cured. were models of behavior. He did not return for the afternoon ses sion. however, and Miss Booth "ugurc the worst from the fact. She had just finished experimenting her desk fo! the night when there came tap Gn the door, and going to answer it. her heart almost stopped beating to SC" the splendid figure of Doctor Bartlett towering before her
 Miss Booth. 1 believe" he began stepping into the room in answer to her mute gesture of invitation. "1 un- derstand that you ferued my son Chauncey today"
 "I did! said Miss Booth.
 An: that you said if had any ob- iection> you would feru;r mef'
 q G.:l," repeated Miss Booth. 'IIold our yonr hand "
 She was close to the breakng point. wearness and fear. and ioneliness ali but overwhelmed her. It was all over, She woulG lose her position perhaps have great trouble in getting another.
 And now" said the doctor, quietly rubbing his hands upon his handker- chief. '1et's talk this over. You see, haven't any objections to your ferul ing my son!"
 Miss Booths face became ashen. Don't be disturbed, 1 beg said the doctor "I understand the whole thing Chauncey is, as you know, mOtherleSS I am away from home too much tt give him the attention he needs. ant he winds our cook round his little fin ger. Ii is true, ] do net believe II whipping children too often, but there comes a time with some when nothing else, apparently, will bring them l. their senses Chauncey has used ; mistaken impression which prevailct about me to tyranniZe ever his teach CTS. felt that any teacher Wiihou l backbone enough to enforce obedience without fear or favor deserved no as siStance from me. I am glad that h. | has found one of the other kind a last. He is at present in bed at home and l think I can promise you that ht will be Obedient in the fnture." Miss BoOtb sat down weakly in he chair. The room was going round ant 1 the doctor was becoming a giant. Sht presently woke to find him ho!din: water to her lips, her head nlIowet l comfortably against his great arm. "YOu little thoroughbred" T voice was saying above her, II never en l joyed anything like those slaps witt | the ferule!"
 The next June the doctor transferred l the ferule and it's owner to his OWl | home, with the enthusiastic apprOva 1 of Master Chauncey.
 The Real Grievance ! Iop't mind ypr moan Jicpoci