M., just about the time our school was dismissed. I have seen many a poor fellow stripped to the bare skin, and receive from twenty to one hundred lashes with the cat o' nine tails, the number depending on the magnitude of the crime. One man who was sentenced to stand in the pillory for a fraud against an insurance company, made a confession of the many crimes lie had committed, attributing his vicious life to bad company in his boyhood. His confession was very affecting, and certainly could not fail of making a deep impression on many who heard him. I had been a reformed boy nearly three months, when the unpleasant school affair took place. My friend James understood the whole matter, and was well satisfied who the offender was, so my reputation did not suffer in his estimation.
We continued our visits to the barn, and spent much of our leisure time together. I continued my studies at home, mingling no more with boys at play. I had access to a carpenter's shop, and was quite handy with tools. Much of my time was spent in making small articles for the neighbors, such as chests, benches and clothes horses, &c, which kept me well supplied with spending money.