[Sidenote: Pocket Knife]
Bernard Howe brought a new pocket knife to school. It was large and
heavy; in fact, a knife, cork-screw, screw-driver, tack-puller and many
other things combined—a veritable little tool chest in itself.
With pride he showed it to the boys, who admired it to his satisfaction.
One after another borrowed it. At the closing hour of school it was
gone.
In tears, Bernard told Miss Bushnell, his teacher, of his loss. She
suspected it had been taken by one of the boys. She kept Bernard after
school and asked where he got his knife. He said:
“Paw works fur Cushman (a contractor) and they are buildin’ a new home
on Park Street. The other day Paw found this knife in the buildin’ where
somebody dropped it out of his pocket. Paw picked it up and shoved it
into his pocket, quick, and brought it home. Yesterday Jerry (Bernard’s
older brother) sneaked it out of Paw’s coat that was hangin’ up. Last
night it fell out of Jerry’s pocket when he took off his clothes, and I
found it on the floor this morning. I know Jerry will lick me fur not
givin’ it back to him, and Paw will lick me ’cause I’ve lost it. Some
feller stole it from me, I bet you.”
Miss Bushnell was shocked at this revelation of Bernard’s home training.
The next day she kept the boys in and said: “Bernard had a knife here
that didn’t belong to him. He must find it if possible. It has somehow
gotten lost. I will be very grateful to the boy who helps us to find it.
As soon as it is found, please bring it to me, for I feel very anxious
about it.”
That afternoon Parke Dabney brought the knife to Miss Bushnell, who
returned it to Bernard, believing that some of the boys stole it from
him. She then planned talks and stories on property rights which would
be a lesson to all of the boys.