The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-11-20

| every good. You then understand that
cold air is heavier than the heated air, as that
iron Is heavier than the water; so we now
will go back to the main ques,ion-whnt
makes the smoke go upwards~
| "Oh! see il now as plain as day; the cold
air settles down all round, like the iron box,
and drives up the hot air, as fast as the fire
heats it in the middle; like the water; and so
the hot air carries the smoke along up with
it, same as feathers and things in II whirl-
wind. Cory! have found ont what mikes
smoke go up--t is curious, though, ant it,
you?"
"Done like philosophers cried Bunker.
"The thing is settled. will give up that you
are an academician ofa thousand. You can
not only think for YOURSELF but can teach
others 10 think; and therefore pronounce
you well qualified for "A schoolmaster, in eve
ry think except government, about which we
! will hope for the best, and run the risk; so
you may call it n bargain MS quick as you
| please"
"You offer to make it so on your part
suppose you mean TO be understood" said
Locke; "ior on mine, you remember Told
you, some time ago. that feel unwilling TO
| undertake to govern n school ofth clarac-
ter have discovered yours to be-"
"What, back out now?' exclaimed the 9th
er, with II disappointed air. "Why | was
beginning to have II first rate opinion of you,
and thought, Of course, you would have spunlI
enough TO make trial, at least. Surely, you
amt such Il coward as to be afraid TO do that,
! are YOU"
These last remarks of Bunker, as taunting
as they were in import, were yet made in
such n half reproachful, half respectful man
ner, that they might not have brought our
hero to any decision, but for the low, deri-
ding laugh which the two larger boys set up
OH the occasion, and which fell upon his ears
with such an cXusperatlng effect, that 1t
brought him to an instant determination, and
he replied, with unwonted spirit,
81 will come on: sir; aud with your pertnis-
son, we will see whether pupil or teacher
shall be the master of the school for tho re-
rnuinder of the winter"
"Good! that sounds like something" said
Bunker,with returning good humor, ''Boys,"
he continued, nodding significantly to his
two oldest sons, "boys, did you hear that!
| All! all will come out well enough, | imng-
| inc. But come, sir, now we have settled the
contract, we will walk into the house for lit
tie rcireshment before we let you go home:
and while taking it, we will fix OH the day of
beginning the school, first boarding place,
sc. Come, Sir, come on; and if you have
good appetite will promise you good din
| ner."
| The decisive answer, which bound our
hero to engage in this school, had now been
! given, and he had too much pride to make
ny attempts to recede from ii; although, it
must he confessed, that as soon as the mo-
mentary impulse, under which he had thus
consunmuted the bargain, had died away,
he more than half regretted the step he had
taken. As it was, however, he soon deter
mined 10 throw aside, as far us possible, both
fears and regrets, and, arming himself with
the rectitude of his purposes, proceed boldly
and decidedly upon the task now before him.
! He at once saw, that, in this school, as III
many others i'll our country, especially in the
newer parts of it, n false standard of honor
! had, from some peculiar combination of cir
cumstances, sprung up among the scholars;
that Instead ofintelectual attachments, phys
ical prowess, or mere brute force had unfor-
tunatrly been made the subject of predomi-
mating applause: and that this, as very nat
ural consequence, had led to the insubordi-
nation, and the frequent attempts OF bullying
the master, of which he had heard. And he
Justly reasoned, that, if he could break down
this false standard, and set up the true one, as
he was resolved, MS far as practicable, to do,
it would not only insure his own Success but
prove the greatest ofblessings to the school.
lie could not expect, however, to effect this
object, at once; and the greatest difficulties,
| therefore he would have 10 encounter, would
be likely to occur during the first weeks of
his school. 1t was this which had caused
him SO lonu to hesitate. But having, at length
been spurred into the undertaking, in the
manner above mentioned, ne now made up
his mind to face the dangers mausully; and,
if acts Of moral courage would not se%ve,
physical force, according to the best of his
ability, should be employed to complete the
conquest, till his contemplated reformation,
in this Objectionable feature of the school,
could be effected. 1t was with these feelings
that, after an interesting hour spent i'll gen
eral conversation, during the preparing and
partaking ofthe substantial meal provided on
the OCCASION, Locke Amsden took leave of
his singular host and employer, and depar-
ted.
On reaching the house, he put his horse
into the stable, and the family group within,
whom, for the last hour he had been envy
ing, as lie truly pictured them sitting in COM
fort around the social freside. Having done
good justice to choice repast which mater
nal soictude had prepared and kept in read
mess for his expected return, he related the
adventures of his excursion and the result,
and paused 10 hear the comments which his
parents and brother might make on the occa-
sion.
"They must be strange people" emarked
Mrs. Amsden; 'and as parents, singular, in
deed, must be their notions, which permit
them thus to sanction the conduct of their
boys, in such treatment of their instructors.
Why,I am sorry you engaged in such place
Locke"
go, don't know" said Mr. Amsden; "they
seem rather rough, according to Locke's sto-
! ny, to be sure; but it may do him good to
) place him among folks that will wake him
up a little. There's spunk enough in him,
: ifyou could get it to the surface, rather
guess AT all events, now he has engaged,
would do my best to carry it outfit was he.'
$50 IyouII - Drornntly resDonded Ben.