The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-07-30
THE NEW sCHOOLMASTER,
, DY B. T.. SuILLADI:R.

ieyTa perfect democracy-tor tho scholars
always had their own way, and settled the
matter with the utmost promptness regard
ing their teachers. If they liked him
good; if not, down with him. The consc.
quence was that the teachers in the Rocky
Valley school had not succeeded very wei
in advancing the minds of the youthful re
publicans entrusted to their charge. Tho
= boys acted their own pleasure about study
and never troubled themselves much wheth
cr they, learned anything Or not-at any
rate the schoolmastcr didn't care to lick 'cnl
in case Of failure. At last the parents, as
they saw the small proficiency their boys
were making, looked into it a little, and be
ing slrewd and sensible people, guessed at
the difficulty. They at once advertised for
new teacher, distinctly specified that hc
must possess nerve and spirit, understood
by the very expressive term-backbonc
Several presented themselves for trial
Young students came, with excellent re-
commentators, but they stayed only day
or two. They could not withstand the rid
icule and opposition they had to encounter.
There were large boys in the school, and
the teacher measured the muscular develop
ment of the scholars in his estimate of his
chances Of success in the event of st,ue-
gle. 1t was queer state Of things in
Rocky Valley.
The boys were not really malicious boys
and were naturally bright and capable, but
their leader, a lad about sixteen, was 4 hard
case-the master of them all, by conquest
and held sway over them as the grand
est monarch in the world holds over his
subjects. They acknowledged his power,
and believed him invincibe. IL was his
word that had decided the professional fate
of all the teachers.
After years bootless trying to secure u
teacher, one made his appearance, passed
examination crcditably, and was accepted
by the school committee. A notice was
placed on the door Of the school house, and
on the door Of the church, that school
would begin on the Monday following, un-
der the charge Of Mr.. Judson, and the min
lister read the notice from the pulpit. Spec
ulation was rife as to the new teacher, and
rs fewslad seen him, many questions were
made with regard to him. The boys held
special caucus, at which, Of course, Bill
Brown was moderator, aod it was voted
that the new master must he put down, as
it was the best fishing season, and the books
would interfere with the sports of the
brooks,
On Monday morning the boys were seen
moving in little knots towards the school
house, busy with their plans of operation.
II wonder how big he is 2" said Seth
Goodwin; al hope lie isn't one of them
savage fellers."
II don't care how big lie is, nor how
savage he is" said Bill Brown; eff lie
don't walk Spanish in less than week,
then ! miss my guess"
II don't know how we are going to learn
anything if we don't have teacher" said
little voice Of the number.
"You shut up" said tile leader; 81
don't want to hear anything like that
again."
The boy was silent, and they walked on,
still talking of the teacher, unaware Of the
proximity Of delicate looking stranger
apparently obout twenty years old, who was
) walking in the same direction with them.
= selves. They approached the school-housc
and when they, got there, they became con.
sscipus Of the presence of the pale young
in their midst.
g g Good morning, my lads" lie said, smil
ingly,s awe@ are to begin new career to
! sgetber today, and I sincerely hope we shal
/ like each othcr. ! shall Try everything ii
my power to please you that IS consistcn
With duty, and shall expect the same from
,.yodgI wish you TO regard me as you,
friend at the Commencement, and .shal
: certainly eet from. friendly feeling. 1, likt
:. yodr appearances, and Believe that we shal
apd ;but iitis trouble in agreeing, :
ks 11sspsech evidently madsan Impression
but HhE Brown went round whispering
sy.3Bs elIsbesh, for !. see. The. shape Of :;
sSNhid pocket. which awakened
daft slloulds .combatiye, ,spirri
Z sn hsspske to,s ,They went intose60o;
I: b ldoE their places, and the ainiaste
His; tripod .Bis little was dons il