The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-07-31
The New schoolmaster.

AZ The New Schoolmaster.
q. That was a strange school at Rocky Val:
hy-a perfect demoeracy-fo tho scholars
always had their own way, and settled the
master with~the utmost prompness regard
ing their teachers, IftiIey liked him, good {:
If not, down with him. Tho conseG ctIcc
was that the teachers in the Rocky Valley
.sschoolshad not succeeded very we'll in adj
yancing the minds Of the youthful repuLli.
cans entrusted to .theiri charge. The boys
acted their own pleasuresab studyisshd
never troubled 6etnselvee much whether
they learned anything or: not-Lat rany rate
the hoojmastef didn't dare to lick 'e,n in
case Of failure. At last the parents, as they
saw the small proficiency their boys were
making, looked into it little, and being
slrewd and sensible people, guessed at the
difficulty. They at once advertised for new
teacher, directly specified that -he must DOS
sess nerve and spirit-understo0a by tho
very expressive term backbone.
sEeyenal presented themselves for trial.
. Young students came, with excellent recon-
1hepdations, but they stayed only day or
two. They could not withstand the ridiculc
and opposition they had to encounter. There
were large boys in the school, and the
teaciler measured the muscular development
of the scholars in his estimate of his chan
ces Of success in tho event Of the struggle
was aqueer state Of things in Rocky
Valley.
The foys were not really malicious boys,
and were naturally bright and capable, but
thcir leader, lad about sixteen, was hard
case-the master Of them all, by conquest
and hcid,a sway over them as the grand
est monarch in the world holds over his
subjects. They acknowledged his power,
aud believed him TO hc invinclbc 1t was
his word that had decided the professional
fate Of all the teachers.
Aftspa years bootlcss trying TO secure a
teaeHaIa oneimede his appearance, passed
exarniuai ion ereditably, aud was accepted by
the school committee. A notice waSplaccd
e Oh the door OF the school house, and on
the door Of the church, that school would
begin on Monday following, under the charge
of Mr.. Judson, asd ths minister read tic
notice from the pulpit. Speculation was
ra&as to thSnew teacher; and as few had
seen him, many questions were asked with
regard to him. The boys held special
caucus, atwhich, ,,of course, Bill Brown was
moderator, and It was voted that the new
master must be put down, as it was the best
fishing seasou, and thesbooks would inter.
fere with the sportsof the brooks.
On Monday morning the boys were seen
moving in little knots towards the school
house, busy with their plans Of operation.
81 wonder how big lie is" said Seth
Goodwin az hope he amt one Of them say
age fellers."
II don't care how big he is, nor how saw
age he is" said Bill Brown; Hif he don't
walk Spanish in less than week, then I
miss my y.guess:"
II don't know how we are going TO learn
anything if we don't have teacher" said n
little voice Of the number ~
"f fou, shut up" said the leader 81 don't
want to hear anything like that again"
The boy was silent, and they walked on,
still talking Of the new teacher, unaware of
the proximity of delicate looking stl anger,
apparently about twenty years old, who was
walking in the samo diFection with them
selves They, approached the school. house
and when they got there thoy became con-
scious of the presence of tho palo young
man i'll ahcir midst.
Good morning, my lads,". he said ~smiI-
ingIy;- eve are to begin new career to-
gether to-day, and I sincerely hope we shall
likeeach other. shall try everything in
my power to please you that is consistent
with duty, and / shall expect the same from
YOU: wish YOU to regard me as your friend
at the commeiieementa and ] shall certainly
act from friendly feeling. I like your ap-
pearance, and believe that wo shall find hnt
little troublein agreeing"
The speech evidently made an impression,
but Bill Brown vent round whispering,
"That's all a bosh, for SEQ the shape of a
cowhide in his pocket" which awakened as
he intended it SHOULD, combattivo spirit in
allhe spoketo., They went into tho school :;
the boys took their places, auddie master
mounted his tripod. But littleswas done in
Ake morning. The restlessness of arrange
ment-the getting used to the school-house
produced confusion, and tho commence
nent of business was deferred until fiIs next
day. The school wasdismissed at noon, and
master and SCHOLARS separated-the former
with animpression that he had vigorous
and alright set of boys to manage little
hard in the mouth, perhaps, but who could
be made tractable-an9 the latter that the
teacher could be managed by the persuasive
force of strong arms, but that it was best to
"nS aa0oSS III" thiHEo "OulU WOTk.
They came together with the same feeling
the next morning; classes were formed and
aAprelisninaries satted, and everything COM
Iuenccdas hapfiy as need be desired. The
teachers heart was happy in the thought
OF his success, when, glancing down through
a line ofkoys, he detected an imrsoper ges.
tprefron Bill Brown, and saw it repeated,
even through the boys eyeShe knew, were
"Young man, come up here," he said, in
gentle but firm tone.
) Brown looked ,rou"d upon his compan,
ions, and, with fiarCe movement of biava-
do left hia seat and approached the mastsalsl
II expect spirit Of obedience in my
school, mySoung friend" said. the teacher,
"ar@ shall iaaas upon it-""rS.r
sI:doa't care what you expect" growled
theyohhg Yuffian II should like to sec
ysh bgip yeurselt"a
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