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Bacheller, Irving, 1859-1950

"Darrel of the Blessed Isles"

'Twas the last thing he ever did. It's
often so with the young. Their own way is apt to be rather steep
and to end suddenly. There are laws everywhere,--we couldn't live
without them,--laws of nature, God, and man. Until we learn the
law and how to obey it, we must go carefully and take the advice of
older heads. We couldn't run a school without laws in it--laws
that I must obey as well as you. I must teach, and you must learn.
The two first laws of the school are teach and learn--you must help
me to obey mine; I must help you to obey yours. And we'll have as
much fun as possible, but we must obey."
Then Trove invited Darrel to address the school.
"Dear children," the tinker began with a smile, "I mind ye're all
looking me in the face, an' I do greatly fear ye. I fear I may say
something ye will remember, an' again I fear I may not. For when I
speak to the young--ah! then it seems to me God listens. I heard
the teacher speaking o' the law of obedience. Which o' ye can tell
me who is the great master--the one ye must never disobey?"
"Yer father," said one of the boys.
"Nay, me bright lad, one o' these days ye may lose father an'
mother an' teacher an' friend.


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