loss of the intelligence she seemed to be so near getting.
“Floor is too hard for tired bones. Guess I’ll go to bed and get
rested up for Monday. I’ve worked like fury this week, so next
I’m going in for fun”; and, little dreaming what hard times were in
store for him, Jack went off to enjoy his warm bath and welcome
bed, where he was soon sleeping with the serene look of one
whose dreams were happy, whose conscience was at rest.
“I have a few words to say to you before you go,” said Mr. Acton,
pausing with his hand on the bell, Monday afternoon, when the
hour came for dismissing school.
The bustle of putting away books and preparing for as rapid a
departure as propriety allowed, subsided suddenly, and the boys
and girls sat as still as mice, while the hearts of such as had been
guilty of any small sins began to beat fast.
“You remember that we had some trouble last winter about
keeping the boys away from the saloon, and that a rule was made
forbidding any pupil to go to town during recess?” began Mr.
Acton, who, being a conscientious man as well as an excellent
teacher, felt that he was responsible for the children in school
hours, and did his best to aid parents in guarding them from the
few temptations which beset them in a country town. A certain
attractive little shop, where confectionery, baseballs, stationery,
and picture papers were sold, was a favorite loafing place for some
of the boys till the rule forbidding it was made, because in the rear
of the shop was a beer and billiard saloon. A wise rule, for the
picture papers were not always of the best sort; cigars were to be
had; idle fellows hung about there, and some of the lads, who
wanted to be thought manly, ventured to pass the green baize door
“just to look on.”
A murmur answered the teacher’s question, and he continued,
“You all know that the rule was broken several times, and I told
you the next offender would be publicly reprimanded, as private
punishments had no effect. I am sorry to say that the time has
come, and the offender is a boy whom I trusted entirely. It grieves
me to do this, but I must keep my promise, and hope the example
will have a good effect.”
Mr. Acton paused, as if he found it hard to go on, and the boys
looked at one another with inquiring eyes, for their teacher seldom
punished, and when he did, it was a very solemn thing. Several of
these anxious glances fell upon Joe, who was very red and sat
whittling a pencil as if he dared not lift his eyes.
“He’s the chap. Won’t he catch it?” whispered Gus to Frank, for
both owed him a grudge.
“The boy who broke the rule last Friday, at afternoon recess, will
come to the desk,” said Mr. Acton in his most impressive manner.
If a thunderbolt had fallen through the roof it would hardly have
caused a greater surprise than the sight of Jack Minot walking
slowly down the aisle, with a wrathful flash in the eyes he turned
on Joe as he passed him.
“Now, Minot, let us have this over as soon as possible, for I do not
like it any better than you do, and I am sure there is some mistake.
I’m told you went to the shop on Friday. Is it true?” asked Mr.
Acton very gently, for he liked Jack and seldom had to correct him
in any way.
“Yes, sir”; and Jack looked up as if proud to show that he was not
afraid to tell the truth as far as he could.
“To buy somethin?”
“No, sir.”
“To meet someone?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Was it Jerry Shannon?”
No answer, but Jack’s fists doubled up of themselves as he shot
another fiery glance at Joe, whose face burned as if it scorched
him.
“I am told it was; also that you were seen to go into the saloon
with him. Did you?” and Mr. Acton looked so sure that it was a