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

here"
The two largest boys, who had stood in II
corner gluncing nj the person of our hero
with sort Of contemptuous twinkIing of
their eyes, now whispered together, and gig
| gled outright, apparently nj the thought that
such n fellow should ever attempt TO give
them n thrashing; for they had always been
so accustomed to associate schoolmasters
with furnishings, thnt they never thought of
the former without the accompanying idea of
the latter.
"Boys," resumed Bunker edo you know
what Josh Bemus intends doing this winter?
| have been thinking, for n day or two past,
that he probably would have about enough Of
the tiger in him 10 make you very suitable
master, ifhc could be had. You have had
king log, and trod upon him; and now, i(you
don't get king stork, it wont be because you
don't deserve it,"
"You will hardly get Josh, think" replied
one ofthe boys. Gle told me, at the turkey
shooting last week, that he had engaged TO
tend horses this winter at the stage tavern
down on Roaring River, because he rather
do il than keep school"
"Well, every one for his taste," said Bun
ker, laughing. 81 suppose Josh is not fell
low that would take much pleasure in think
| ing life; though, as he has succeeded in sub
DUNG one or two unruly schools, i had
out of the question, and as | can hear Of no
other person who will do, think we may rs
well examine into this gcnileman's quaitica
lions, now he has applied for the school"
81 have but little hope, sir, that ! shall be
considered proper teacher of your district"
observed Locke, who had become so much
disconnected by the ominons conduct oil the
! boys, and the remarks Of their father OF n
similar significance. that lie now began TO
l. L., ppT art hp ~
person you want, think, from what gather
| from your observations; and therefore we
may as well drop the subject at once, per-
haps.'
40, don't know about that, sir, rejoined
Bunker. ''You look hardly equal 10 the task.
| to be sure; but there is considerable snnp in
those black eyes ofyours, see. have seen
several fellows, in my time, ofas little bodi-
ly show as you,who turned out to be Il match
for any thing when called to act. And
should not be surprised if you should prove
TO he one of the same kidney. Boys" he
continued, turning TO his sons, "you know
how sadly you all got disappointed in that
| little, feeble looking master of yours last
winter. You calculated when he began his
school, that You should he able to control
him rs you pleased; but you soon found you
had reckoncd without your host, believe.
"Well, he was Il mean scamp, for all that"
replied the oldest boy; "und we should have
shipped him, at one time, if some of the boys
had not fiunmuxcd from the agreement. For
he deserved it enough, and no mistake.
Only think! He made arule, that every ono
who did not get into the school house as soon
as he did, after our play spell at noon, should
take ferruing. And then what does lie do
but Join us in sliding down hill on a hand
sled; and when we got warm at it, and just
MS great load ofus, he and all, had got I'M
der weight and couldn't stop, off he jumps,
gives the sled kick, and cuts aud runs for
the school house, which he reached first, of
course, and we had TO be ferruled for break
ing the rule Now, you know, father that
wasn't fair shake, and he ought to have
been walloped for it, and tie boys were
sueaks, that they had not stood by US, when
we tried, the next day, TO turn the tables on
! him"
CAS- he had first done on you, for some
previous trick, oigh ?" interrupted the former.
You have generally had strange doings in
school, both by scholars and teachers, we all
know; but now they have put me in commit
tee intended to look after you little my
self Now, sir" he added, again turning TO
Locke, "now, sir, we come back to your case,
if you please--what will be your price
month, and boarded :"
"Fiteen dollars
1--WE gave but fourteen last winter and
the master could manage such a set of fell
lows ms ours, too. The district will never
consent to raise on that price. Cautyou fall
a dollar?"
"Perhaps might, if could make up my
mind to undertake your school"
"NIakc up your mind why, you offered
yourself; and you did not come to tri6e with
me, did yon ?"
"Certainly not"
"Well. wait then till we have thought and
talked this business all out Don't get fright
ened before you are hurt. You may thlnk
better of some of us before we get through.
Blu, there is another thing: our district re-
autrcs master to teach all the working days
in the month, and not twenty-five days, as
you masters generally make month-Woulu
YOU consent to that?"
"Pcrhaps should not be disposed 10 quar-
rel with you; even on that point, If were to
take your school"
every we'll so then wo can agree upon
the terms, I Sec" said Bunker. "Now, for
the main question--do yo know any thing
al trust so, sir" said Locke, hardly know
ing vet what to make OF the man, 81 trust so.
Here is n certificate from my late preceptor
will you hear it read?"
"No,n replied the other, 81 should place no
dependence on any thing of that sort. Every
one who goes to an academy gets certificate
if he wants one, have noticed; while not one
in three who 20 there.are fit for teachers.-
So Won see, that there is more than an even
chance that we get cheated, when we take a
man on certificate, Why, how, sir, could a
preceptor know whether you could govern a
school, when you had never tried 1t? And
how could he certify, that you had 1acui1y
to teach in a school that neither of you bad
ever seen, where every scholar, perhaps
would require the application of different
ne.hod before he could be brought 10 learn