Year: 1879




in Western State several years ago, and
during the winter many farmers sons and
field-boys entered, who were not able to
come at other times of the year. Some of
them were dull scholars, but nearly all were
anxious to learn, and they did not give me
near so much trouble as the few sons of
wealthier parents who were also under my
charge


There was one among the sunburnt faces
of these boys that always struck me as es-
pecially intelligent 1t belonged to Henry
Chalmers, lad of fourteen.


He worked for a neighboring farmer nine
months in the year, in order to attend school
during the remaining three; but it was evil
dent he had other sources of instruction be-
sides those given in the school, for he often
came to me with questions which showed
knowledge beyond what | could expect
from one no further advanced in his studies
Most of the scholars were younger than
Henry, or else about his age, but there
were four or five boys and several girls who
were older There was one boy of nineteen,
a slow and stupid, but good-hearted fellow,
and another of sixteen, George Cassell,
whom | never quite liked. If he was not
selfish and unprincipled, he was at least
very silly.


He always wore exceedingly fashy neck
ties he cooked his hat on one side, and
displayed cheap ring, Of which he was
evidently very proud, on his stubby little
finger


Moreover, he carried a cane wherever
he went, even to and from school, which
seems to me very foolish and c0nceited for
a boy with sound legs to do under any cir
cumstance, but especially so in his case.


However, that cane proved itself as ut
most service to me and to the scholars if it
was not of service to Cassell, and met its
end in a very extraordinary manner.


1t was one of the last days of the spring
term, and was just ready to hear the first
recitation, when little girl burst into the
school-room all out of breath with crying
and running, and exclaimed, as soon as she
passed the door, 80, Miss Franklin, there's
mad dog right out in the road ~


The scholars all laughed. Mad dogs are
a favorite terror with little girls.


maggie" " said !, ''come here" and |
took OIL her hat and cloak. GLOW do you
know the dog is mad 2"


''Why, he was running down the road as
fast as could be, and he looked awful mad,
and Mr.. Atkins says he is mad, and-oh,
did you hear that 2"


1t was the loud report of gun directly
in front of the school-house, followed by a
chorus of cons" from the scholars, and
some shrill screams outside.


Then another little girl ran along the walk
near the side windows, screaming with all
her might, and opening the rear door of the
building, rushed, just as Maggie had done,
into the room where we were all seated.


Closely following her, and at one time
almost seizing her dress, came large dog,
without doubt in rabid condition.


He had been shot at in the road, and was
apparently but very slightly wounded.


If the girl had closed the door behind her,
which she could easily have done, the dog
could not have entered but as it was, she
led the mad creature directly into the room
where we were,


The door was behind and on one side OF
me. AS | turned and looked my heart
stood still, for beheld, what hope may
never again see,--a really mad dog, his
mouth dripping, his eyes glaring, and his
hair bristling.


He stopped at the doorway for an instant
then, with growl, he started into the
room.


have heard people tell about thinking
quickly in times of great danger, but fol
my part, can say that on this occasion
did not think at all. Hardly knowing what
! did, seized ruler, grasped the two lit
tie girls and drew them to me-


The dog advanced towards us, but he hat
not taken three steps when a boys form
suddenly interposed. II was Henry Chal
mars.


He had picked up the first weapon tha
came within reach, which happened to he
cane standing in the corner near his scat
Although its duty when in George Cassell'
hand was solely rs an ornament, it was
nevertheless, apparently designed for use
for it had thick shaft and large knob fo
head


With this he struck the dog swift blow
over the back, and the animal Instant,
turned upon him with fierce snarl


90 Henry" screamed 'be careful, 70
your lifel"


He did not answer, but held the can
down to the dogs mouth. The anima
grasped it in his teeth, bit it furously, re
ceiving as he did so heavy kick, whicl
sent him off his feet, Henry's motive evl
dently being to knock him senseless


This manpuvre was repeated soyero
times until the dog refused to seize tn
stick, and made an attack upon his assail
ants legs Then the cane came down agai
with loud crack and broke in two, o