The Wrong Man — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

a 80 é THE WRONG MAN. r”’ The his seat, and turning his back - ta the door, commenced getulatig wily and talking exc; “Mo, sir, I didn’t. I don’t play hooky no more since you and dad licked me so.” ‘ “J'm glad to hear it, What, then, was the immediate and — due cause of your absenting yourself from instruction yester — day?” * Eh—what—sir ?” ' “ Why didn't you come to school yesterday eg } “Me and Bill—” “ William, you mean ?” ; “Me and W illiam was huntin’ hen’s nests, and Bill—” \ “ William, remember.” fy nd William pushed me off thehay-mow and I broke my | neek,” : | “Broke your neck!” exclaimed Nathan Dodge. “ Whe mended it for you ?” | “Dad put some salve on it and it got well.” : “ Very well, sir; be more careful after this, Hezekiah.” “ Sir—eh—what—sir ?” “How much is twice eight.” “Sixteen,” answered Hezekiah, after a moment's hesitation. ‘“ What's the capital of the United States?” “ Jefferson.” ; “ Wrong—think, now, before you answer again.” “ Madison.” ” No, sir; your memory needs jogging, I apprehend. Once © - Then it must be Franklin.” “No, sir. “Then I'll be darned if it ain’t Washington. I knowed it © was one of George’s names.” “That’l do; you can go now.” The boy instantly shot out the door and disapppeared. _ “Tt’s amazing how them boys of your’n improve, Mr. Per- kins,” said the postmaster, who had not forgotten the encourag- mee mark the teacher had made in his favor. Perkins looking very dignified, took the compliment as a matter of course. “ But you know we was talkin’ about this man—Mr. Charles Dudley I believe,” added the postmaster, who was anxious to keep up the discussion. “T think you've said enough about your superiors,” said Na- © than Dodge, rather decidedly. ' “Who calls him a s’perior?’ demanded the shoemaker, si:- ting bolt upright, and firing up at these continued insinus tions. “Wh J slow atpenio® to Yon: emg 983 | | 1 i i et es e “ “7 My rT eX coumebouks:com. * - *