“If I expel the boy he would burn the house over my head.”

“Then you think he burned my stable?”

“I don’t know; it cannot be proved that he did.”

“I have no doubt of the fact.  I have no ill will against the boy.  I only desire to protect myself and my neighbors from his depredations.”

“I think you were very unfortunate in the method you adopted, Mr. Lowington,” replied the principal of the Academy.  “It has reacted upon yourself.”

“Shall this boy steal my fruit and burn my buildings with impunity?” added Mr. Lowington, with considerable warmth.

“Certainly not.”

“I applied to you for redress, Mr. Baird.”

“I told you I would talk with the boy.”

“Such a reprobate as that needs something more than talk.”

“What would you do with him, sir?” demanded Mr. Baird, earnestly.

“I hardly know.  I should certainly have expelled him; but that, while it protects the Academy, does not benefit the boy.”

“It would only harden the boy.”

“Very likely; and his remaining will harden a dozen more by his influence.  Mr. Baird, I shall be obliged to take my nephew out of your institution,” added Mr. Lowington, seriously.

“Take him out?”

“I must, indeed.”

“Why so?” asked Mr. Baird, who was touched in a very tender place.

“Because I am not willing to keep him under the influence of such an example as this Shuffles sets for his companions.  As the matter now stands, the young rascal has more influence in the Academy than you have.  You cannot manage him, and you dare not expel him.  The boy knows this, and he will not leave his advantage unused.”

“I hope you won’t take Harry out of the school,” said Mr. Baird.

“I must.”

“Others may do the same.”

“I cannot help it; with my view of the matter, they can hardly do otherwise.”

“But you see, sir, what the effect of this step must be.”

“Mr. Baird, I must be frank with you.  You have declined to expel Shuffles, while you know that his influence is bad.  You asked me what you should do? and I told you.  Now, you prefer to retain Shuffles, but you must lose others.  Permit me to say that you should do your duty without regard to consequences.”

“I cannot afford to lose my scholars.”

“Your position is a difficult one.  I grant, Mr. Baird; but without discipline you can do nothing for yourself or the boys.”

Mr. Lowington went home, Harry was taken from the Academy, and a dozen parents and guardians followed the example of the advocate for discipline.  Mr. Baird was in despair.  The institution was falling to pieces for the want of discipline.  The principal had not the nerve to enforce order, even with the limited means within his reach.  He went to see Mr. Lowington and begged him to assist in stemming the tide which was setting against the Brockway Academy.  The retired naval officer became deeply interested in the subject of school discipline in general, especially in its connection with the education of rich men’s sons given to insubordination.  He pitied poor Mr. Baird in his perplexities, for he was a good man and an excellent teacher.