Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-11
THE NEW sCHOOLMAsrER.
BY p. sHILLABER.

perfect demOcracy-for the scholars always
had their own way and settled the matter with
the utmost promPtnesS regarding their teachers.
III they liked him, good; if not, down with
hlm. The consequence was that the teachers
IN the Rocky Valley school had not succeeded
very we'll In advancing the minds Of the youth
fui republicans entrusted to their charge The
boys acted their own pleasure about study, and
never troubled themselves much whether they
learned anything or nOt-at any rate the school
master dldn dare to lick 'em i'm case of fail
ure. AT last the parents, as they saw the small
proficiency their boys were making looked into
III little, and being shrewd and sensible peO-
pie, guessed at the difficulty. They at once
advertised for new teacher, distinctly speci-
ned that he must possess nerve and spirit-un-
derStood by the very expressive term q kbone.
Several presented themselves for trial. Young
students came with excellent recommendations
but they stayed only day or two. They could
not withstand the ridicule and opposition they
had to encounter. They were large boys in the
school, and the teacher measured the muscular
development of the scholars in his estimate of
his chances OF success in the event of the struy-
gle 1t was queer state Of things in Rocky
Valley.
The boys were not really malicious bows, and
were naturally bright and capable, but their
leader. a lad about sixteen, was q hard case
the master of them all. by cOnquest-and held
a sway over them as the grandest monarch in
the world holds over his subjects. They ac-
knowledged h power, and believed him to be
lnvIncibe. 1t was his word that had decided
the professional fate of all the teachers
After years bootleSs trying to secure q
teacher, one made his appearance, passed ex-
animation creditably, and was accepted by the
school committee. 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, under the charge of Mr. Judson.
and the minister read the notice from the pull
pit Speculation was rife as to the new teacher
and as few had seen him. many questions were
asked with regard to him. The boys held a
special caucus, at which, Of course Bill Brown
was moderator, and 1t was voted that the new
master must be 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 NOV
ing IN little knots towards the school house,
tusy with their plans of operation.
wonder how big he is ''' said Seth Good
win; g hope he isn't one of them savage fel-
lers.''
g don't care how big he is nor how savage
he Is, said Bill Brown; eff he don't walk
Spanish in less than week, then l miss my
guess"
= don't know how we are going to learn any,
thing if we don't have a teacher said little
voice of the number.
You shut up" said the leader: Il don't
want to hear anything like that again
The boy was silent, and they walked on, still
proximity of delicatelOOking stranger, appa-
rently about twenty years old, who was walk
ing In the same direction with themselves.
tThey approached the school house and when
they got there they became conscious of the
presence of the pale young man in their midst
s.,, =" Good morning, my lads, he said smiingly;
"a we are TO begin new career together to-day,
and l sincerely hope we shall like each other
1'shall try everything in my power to please
you that Is consistent with duty, and | shall
expect the same from you. l wish you to re-
gard me as your friend at the commencement
and shall certainly act from friendly feeling
Il like your appearance, and believe that we
shall find but little trouble in agreeing
.a1he speech evidently made impression,
but Bill Brown went round whispering, - That's
all bosh, for see the shape of a cowhide in his
pocket, which awakened as he intended it
should, a cOmbative spirit in all he spoke to.
They went into the school the boys took their
places, and the master mounted his tripod. But
Little was done In the morning The restless
ness OF arrangement-the getting used to the
chOol- confusion, and the COM
mencement of business was deferred until the
rnskt day. The school was dismissed at noon,
'and master and scholars separated-the former
Nfth an impression that he had a vigorous and
salbright set of boys to manage little hard in
the mouth, perhaps, but who could be made
,tractable-and the latter that the teacher could
De managed by the persuasive force Of strong
things would work
They came together with the same feeling the
next morning; classes were formed and all pre-
llmlnaries settled and every thing commenced
as happily as need be desired. The teachers
heart was happy in the thought of his success,
when, glancing down through a lane of boys, he
detected an improper gesture from Bill Brown,
and saw it repeated even though the boy eyes.
he knew, were fixed upon his own.
Young man, come up here, he said, in a
gentle but firm tone.
Brown looked round upon his companions,
and with fierce movement of bravado left his
seat and approached the master.
- expect a spirit of obedience in my school,
my young friend, said the teacher, ''and shall
insist upon 1T.
81 don't care what you expect" growled the
young rufian; % should like to see you help
yourself"
The teacher bit his lip, while his face whiten-
e1, especially as he heard a snickering laugh
spread around among the scholars; but he
showed no other signs of temper, unless 1t might
have appeared in his eye.
Will you return to your seat and behave
yourself ~ said he, - and thus remove the ne
cessi;y for my helping myself"
I" No | won't was the reply
g Then said the young teacher, - you shall
be made to obey me-
lie reached 10 his desk as he spoke and took
his ruler therefrOm, when, turning to the rebel,
ne tOlu MIN I'd nold out MS hand Inc boy, with
surly and impudent brow, kept his hands per-
sistently in his pockets, looking at the same
time around the school for encouragement. He
evidently regarded the master as easy conquest,
and felt sufficient strength within himself to
cope with the schOOlmaster
" Hold out your hand, SIR" the teache: re-
Peated, in a more commanding tone.
Refusing to obey, he received a smart rap on
the knuckleS from the ruler when, drawing his
right hand suddenly from his pocket, he gave
the teacher severe FLIP on the side of the
head, and then pitched in In a moment
the school was in confusion. The bolder boys
mounted the benches TO see the progress Of the
row, and the timid sat trembling, waiting the
result very anxI"usly.
The master, when thus aSsaled did not hesi-
tate for n moment. His delicate frame seemed
10 dilate with the spirit evoked by the young
ruffan, and a sinewy strength to peryade him.
He wss smaller than his antagonist but had by