Ballou's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXVII, No. 1 — page 84: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

88 Old Hugh's Look-off. Reginald Motley was speedily stretched upon the grass, and I was standing victoriously over him, puffing and blowing like a porpoise. “Stop, stop! Good heaveus, young gentle- men! what does this mean?” exclaimed an indignant and astonished voice behind me. IT turned around, all the poor exultation that was tingling in my blood dying out into a cold chill of keen regret and mortification. There stood Dr. Polisher, his bright black eyes as round as rings, his benignant forehead knit into an ominous frown, his gold-headed cane in his hand, already upraised in a threatening gesture. Reg Motley stretched himself at full length on the ground, and gave a low groan, and then closed his eyes. I knew it was all sham, for I had taken especial pains, according to Jim Sands’s theory, to throw him without inflicting any injury. “Well, well, well! Upon my word, this is a pretty sight, right before the academy door, and only twenty minutes before the bell will ring for the commencement of the school services! Young gentlemen, I am astonished, indignant, mortified !” With each word, the emphasis grew more decided, and I felt as if I should be glad to have the ground open and swallow me up. Reg Motley gave another hypocritical groan. “ Master Nous can’t you rise? Roxton, help him up.” Roxton, a stout, reap -cheeked lad, with a suppressed smile hovering around his lips, assisted the fallen hero, who presently stood up, but with both hands pressed against his side. At last the eye I dreaded came to me, and a puzzled expression crossed the doctor’s face. “Why, it isnot one of my boys, after all!” he exclaimed, in a tone of great relief, and then added with extra severity, “ How dared you come into this yard? Don’t you know it is sacred to the pupils of this institution ?” I felt my lips twitching, but I managed to answer firmly: “T beg your pardon, sir, my name is Maurice Stone. I was coming to the school for the first time to-day.” An expression crossed his face which puz- zled me. He seemed to be as much annoyed by my name as by this troublesome dilemma in which he found me. “And a pretty first appearance you make,” said he. I blushed to my very ear-tips, and remained silent. “Shan’t you send him away, sir?” de- manded Reginald Motley, blusteringly. “T am sure my father—” “ Hush, Motley! I shall call upon a disin- terested party for the explanation of this disgraceful scene. There is the bell. Come in now and attend to your lesson. When all this excitement has cooled off, I will hear Frank Joy’s version of the story.” And having said this, Dr. Polisher motioned for me to follow him, and the rest of the boys filed in behind. We left our caps im an ante- room, and all proceeded to a large, long room furnished like a schoolroom, with chairs and desks, and at one end a long platform, with three desks, and an arm-chair at each desk. I was shown to a seat somewhat isolated from the rest, and for the first hour I kept my eyes upon my book, and did not venture to satisfy my curiosity. Gradually, however, my courage returned tome. I had not been so ve@much to blame, after all. I hoped that Doctor Polisher would see this, if only the boy called upon would give a truthful account. And when I had arrived at this conclusion, ft allowed my eyes to make more thorough investigations. Two assistants came in and took seats one on either side of Doctor Polisher’s desk on the platform. One was a little, dark, withered looking old,man, the teacher in algebra and geometry. The other was quite a young person, with an exceedingly frank and pleas- ant face, which attracted me at once. I learned afterward that she was a French lady of reduced circumstances, who had been se- cured to impart to the pupils that rare virtue, in a teacher of French, a correct pronunciation. When the recess came, I followed out into the yard because the doctor’s gesture direeted me thereto; but I made no attempt to join the boys. I went quietly ‘to a fence, and leaning over it, watched a flock of ducks swimming in the little pond beyond. Regi- nald Motley found an opportunity to pass near enough to hiss in my ear: “T had a grudge against you before, for in- terfering on the beach; but it’s nothing to this one. I'll make this school too hot for you before you get through.” I made no other reply than a glance of silent contempt, and, turning my back to him, went on looking at the ducks. Presently I saw the pleasant-faced, blue- eyed boy who had been the only one to re- monstrate at my reception, coming out of the academy door. He macectiM Geo eRGoim -