Year: 1879

S1,ONE of us know exactly what was going
3St t. happen, but we could not fail to no.
tice the look of anxiety which the masters
face had worn during all the morning lessons.
This WAS enough to arouse our suspicion,
even though Mullett aud Decker had not
been absent But they were, and that set
tied it at once. Something was wrong, and
there proved to be only -two-iB tho SCHOOL
room that morning who could answer the
eager questions which passed from lip to lip
up from the lowest tier OF small boys to the
LAST row which held such beg fellows as Lloyd
GRAY and Bridgman, aud these two Wcrc-
the master and Little Miggs


Poor little Miggs, he evidently knew, for
he sat very still in his seat, and never once
looked up from his book. But he wasn't
studying. for if you took the pains to lock
you could sec he didn't turn leaf He was
very pae-but that isn't strange. for little
Mieg's face Was always white. Don't you
see the hsndle Of crutch just in sight sbove
his desk


You cannot expect boys to study very at
tentively when some expected disclosure is
hanging over them, and how we ever got
through the morning is question for jury.


HaIf>past one. The school session is over at
two Can i, be possible we are to be dis
missed without knowing why Muliet aud
Decker are absent, and why the master and
little Miggs have looked like q funeral all
dav The master strikes his bell.


'' Boys, the usual hslf hour for writing
will be omitted this morning. The school
will come to order, as there is an important
matter to be brought before you. During
the ten years | have been connected with
this establishme there has never been any
serious conflict with my authority never
any waywardness where pardon could not be
granted when asked Yesterday, however,
an offcnse OF so grave nature was com
mitted, or at least attempted, and one for
which was little prepared, that I was at
a loss to know the best way Of meeting it -
The severe action I finally adopted is the re-


suit of consultation and of serious reflection


ou my part and tha. the lesson may not be


without benefit to you all, l have decided to
inform the school of the whole matter, to-
gether with the course my method of punish


ment has taken"


A pin drop Why, you might have heard
the very dust fall had you been thinking of


it We were frightened, too, and Todd,
down in the corner, began to cry, which
might have made some impression If Todd


were not always crying; so We let him whim-
per without much notice, and sat Watching
the door through which the master passed after
| charging US to keep our seats. We had not
| long to Tait-only time to say Shut uP,
| Todd" once or twice, when the door re-
opened


The master, Mulets, Decker, and-and-
is it possible Coles the constable. Wo rub our
ewes and stretch our necks, but cannot change
that burly form into anything but Coles the
constable. This was more than We bsrgalned
for, having thought the excitement would


culminate in public Aogcfng, or at the most
an expulsion The Gu prIts were placed be-
fore the masters desk, and Coles took seat
on the platform beside him.


Little Miggs, will you come and take


this chair, if you please z"


The boy slowly arose, took his crutch, and
limped to the seot assigned him. AS he
passed across the floor you could see he was


a cripple, and sadly deformed one, too; but
you couldn't have been in the school = single
day without discovering that he is the favor
ite. Who could umpire game of ball or
cricket with the fairness of little Miggs 2
| No one ever thought for a moment OF dis
putting his decisions; and of the cheers which
! followed the conclusion of game, those for
| little Miggs always seemed ths heartiest and


most prolonged.


| BOYS. l learned from little Miggs yes


terday that conspiracy had been formed to


commit a crime 10 this house. The inforna :


tioD was given that might be on ny guard.
| | could not draw from my informant the
! names of those implicated, but throuGh means