The career of this fellow was short. His cruelties were disallowed by the head master, and he was discharged. I afterwards heard of a Cochran that was sentenced to the State Prison, in Maine. 1 wonder if it was this fellow? He was succeeded by another tall, gauntlooking creature, who was truly the mathematical demonstration of a straight line " length without breadth." He was from New Hampshire also, and it might well be said that he stepped into Cochran's shoes. He had the same rattan, but was not allowed to continue Cochran's tortures. He was noway backward with his rattan, as my head and shoulders could well testify. He seemed to take a peculiar pleasure in flogging me: whether he thought there was a balance due me from Cochran, and the account had been transferred to him for settlement, I cannot say; for hardly a day passed that 1 did not get a rap and not for negligence either, for I always had my lesson and was as far ahead as any boy in the class.
One day, one of the largest boys in the lower division, for some misdemeanor was severely punished, he watched his opportunity and ran out of school. He soon returned with his father, a stout, red-faced man, armed with a large cane, And when Pierce and his father had entered the door "where is the fellow?" cried old Pierce, then walking up to Bradley with his cane uplifted, the latter, pale as ashes, stood still. Immediately I sprung out of my seat, the other boys following; we formed a dense ring around him, thus warding off old Pierce. The head master now interfered, when the old man and his son retired peaceably from the school. After this a|Fair I observed a marked change in Bradley towards me, very much in my favor; he never struck me again, and once he deigned to greet me with a smile.
Notwithstanding the severity of our treatment I continued to improve and was placed in the first class under charge of Dr. Bullard. Soon after my promotion to the first class, Bradley was dismissed, and was succeeded by Mr. Shaw (the present Judge Shaw) and so different was his conduct^ that there was not a boy but loved him. He was mild, amiable, and energetic, and very seldom resorted to punishment. I became a medal scholar and progressed in my studies. But an unpleasant affair occurred which caused me to leave school nearly a year before the usual time. The particulars are briefly, as follows: A boy of a highly respectable family, and one of my classmates, wishing to have some fun, put a dead rat in the master's desk, unseen by any one.
After the school had commenced, the master lifted the lid to get his rattan, and, as soon as he saw the rat he fixed his eye on me; and I was immediately called out and ordered to remove it. I could not avoid laughing, while I assured him I knew nothing about it. He grew furious; took me by the collar and drew me towards the desk, and ordered me again to take the rat out; he was in a violent passion. I however took the tongs from the fireplace, and held the rat up by the tail, which caused the boys to laugh; threw it out of the window and was going to my seat, when he clenched me again by the back of the neck and commenced whaling me with his rattan.
I felt that I was unjustly whipped, and would not stand it. So I clenched him, and sung out " murder" at the top of my voice. The whole school was now in an uproar, I had him fast by the legs; he was unable to strike me again, so we scrabbled together a few minutes, when I let go my hold. He was so exhausted that he fairly panted for breath. The boy° for whose crime I was receiving the punishment, had not magnanimity enough to rise and own the deed; but calmly looked on and saw me receive his punishment. •Since dead, and for many years held a responsible situation under the St afe Government, At the closing of the school as I was going from my seat, Bullard ordered me to stop, and he then forbade me entering the school-room again.
I just replied, that he need not he troubled about that, for I never intended to come again, neither did I wish ever to have anything more to do with him, adding: you have whipped me for the act of another, who was too cowardly to own it, and I think I can point him out. But remember Sir, that this affair remains between you and I to be adjusted at another time. As 1 was passing down the centre aisle of the school-room, the usher met me, saying, " I wish you to remain a few minutes after the school has retired," and requested me to step into his desk. Accordingly, after all had gone out, he very affectionately expressed his regret at what had happened.