The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-11-13

AT this point in his journey no overlook a
man on foot, Of whom, utter discovering
him to belong somewhere in the neigh
borhood, he proceeded to make some
inquiries relative to tho situation of the
school.
"Why," replied the man, "as l live out
there in the tip of the Horn, which is of
course, at the outer edge of the district,
know but little about the school affairs; but
one thing is certain, they have shipped the
master, and want TO get another, suppose"
eFor what cause was the master dismiss
ed? For lack of qualifications"
ayes, lack ofqualfcations for our district.
The fellow, however, had learning enough
as all agreed, but no spunk; and the young
Bunkers and some others of the big boys,
mistrusting this, and being little riIed at
some things he had said 10 them, took il into
their heads to train him little, which they
did; when he, instead ofshowing any grit on
the occasion, got frightened and cleared out"
"Why, sir, did his scholars offer him per-
sonul violence?"
80 no-not violence. They took him up
quite carefully, bound him on TO a plank, as
| | understood, and carried him on their
shoulders in "A sort of procession, three times
around the schoolhousc, and then, unloosing
him, told him to go at his business again"
"And was all this suffered to take place
without any interference from your commit
lee?"
ayes, our committeeman would not inter-
fere in such Il case. A master must fight his
own way in our district"
''Who is your committee, sir:"
"Captain Bill Bunker is now. They had
a meeting after the irucas, and chose u new
one"
sis he n man who is capable of ascertain
ing for himself the qualifications ola teach-
err"
80 yes-at least had as lief have Bill
| lSunier's Judgment off, man who applied
! for the school as any other in the district;and
! yet he is the only man in the whole district
but what can read and write, believe"
''Your school committee not able 10 read
and writc:"
'Not word, and still he does moro bust
ness than any man in this neighborhood.-
! Why sir, he keeps sort ofstore, sells to A.,
| B., and c., and charges on book in fashion
of his own; and / would us soon trust TO his
book as that of any regular merchant in the
country; though TO be sure, he has got into
tumble, hear, about some charges against
man at 'tother end of the Horn, and they IRE
having n court about it to-day at Bunkers
house, understand"
"Nhere does he live?"
"Riaht OH the road, about mile ahead
| 1'ou will sec bio chnlked on n sort of
shop-looking building, which he uses for a
store"
The man here turned off from the road,
leaving our hero so much surprised and stag
gered at what he had just heard, not only of
the general character ofthe school of which
he had come 10 propose himself as teacher,
but of the man who now had the control Of
it,tlnt he drew up the reins, stopped his horse
in the road, and sat hesitating some moments
whether he would go back or forward. 1t
occurring 10 him, however, that he could do
as he liked about accepting any offer OF the
place which might he made him, and feeling
moreover, some curiosity TO see how man
who could neither read nor write would man
age in capacity of an examining school COM
mittee, he resolved to go forward, aud pre-
sent himsefus a candidate for the school
Accordingly, he rode on, and reached rough
built, bur misunderstanding farmhouse,
with sundry out buildings, on one of which
he read, us he had been told he might, the
name oIthe singular occupant. In the last
named building, he at once perceived that
there was gathering of quite number OF
individuals, the nature ofwhlch was explain
ed to him by the hint he had received from
his informant on the road. And tying his
horse he Joined several who were going in,
and soon found himselfin the midst of the
company assembled in the low. unfinished
room which constituted the interior, as par
ties, witnesses, and spectators of justices
court, the ceremonies of which were about TO
he commenced. There were no counters,
counting-room or desk; and few broad
Shelves clumsily put up on one side, afford
ed the only indication, observable in the IN
terror arrangement ofthe room, of the use to
which it was devoted. On these shelves
were scattered, at intervals, small bunches
of hoes axes, bed cords, and such articles
us are generally purchasedby those VINO pur-
chase little; while casks ofnails, grindstones,
quintals ofdried salt fish, and the like, ar
ranged round the room on the floor, made
nm the rest of the owners merchandise, an
annual supply of which, it appeared, he OBJ
, timed in the cities every winter in exchange
for the products of his farm; ever careful,
. like II good political economist, that the pal
: ance of trade should not be against him
The only table and chair in the room were
: now occupied by the justice; the heads OF
! casks, grindstones or punches of raIes, an
swering for seats for the rest of the compa-
, ny. On the left of the justice sat the de-
,, PENDANT, whose composed look, and occa-
sonal knowing smile, seemed to indicate his
confidence in the strength oil his defence, a
well us a consciousness of possessing some
, secret advantage over his opponent. On inc
: other hand sat Bunker, the plaintiff in the
suit. Ascertaipipg from the remarks of the
. bvstanders, his identity with the committee
. man he had become so curious to see, Locke
fell to noting his appearance closely, ana the
! result was, upon the whole, highly faVora'
HE prepossesson. He was remarkably
! stout. harty-loolling man: and although ms
features were extremely rough ana sWartry
they yet combined to give him an open, non
est. and very intelligent countennnce' ne
> hind him. as hackers, were standing III