Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-01-14

D
bled and his eyes sank knew ! could con-
quer him in some way
Stephen Oliver was not so tall as Putney.
though some said, stronger. But he was
better man. His face was more intelligent,
and he seemed to have some pride.
As soon as all was still made few re-
marks, / opened my desk and drew forth the
ponderous ferue aud raw-hide.
"Do these belong to any one in the SCHOOL,
! asked holding them up.
No one answered. then asked Lydia Bon
ney if she knew to whom they belonged. She
said she believed their last teacher brought
them then stepped down and put them in
to the stove.
After this ! cold the scholars that | had
come there TO teach them-to help them to an
education which should fit them better for the
various paths in life they might be called up
on to pursue. ! pictured TO them the educat-
ed man and woman in contrast with the gno-
rant. and urged them TO weigh well the CON
sideratons gave them | called up all my
powers of Imagination and simplifcation.
"And more, said |, "I have come to help
give you this education, if you will only re-
ceive it. And in order to gain it property
in order to have profitable school, we must
have order and regularity. We must all be-
have properly. Now am sure you do not
know so much Of arithmetic, geography, his
tory. grammar. and other branches Of school
education as | do consequently feel it my
| duty to impart to you all the information up
on these subjects which can. But believe
of that other qualification Of a scholar you
I know as much as ! do. You certainly know
/ how to behave. You know how to behave
| propcrly-how to be quiet, studious, and
( peaceable. If there is a scholar present who
/ does not know how to do this, will he or she
arise; ! am in earnest If no one rises |
shall consider that have an assurance from
each and every one of you that you know how
to behave properly in school
waited some minutes. but no one arose
But ] could see that Mr.. John Putney was
uneasy He seemed to be fearing that | was
compromising him in advance Of his will.
However. / appeared not to notice him.
VERY well. said ], with grateful smile,
Il thank you for your assurance. And now
am going TO place the government Of the
school at your disposal. You are all voters,
and | wish you to exercise the privilege. Shall
we have during the coming three months, an
orderly. model school, All in favor of that
will hold up their right hands
The girls commenced first Come ur-
ged, u want you all to vote one way or the
other. l shall think all who do not vote on
this side mean to vote on the other. All up.
BY this time every right hand was up. save
Putneys and divers. The latter had got
his hand half up, when saw Putney catch it
by the elbow and pull it back.
Down | said. Now, are there any OF
the opposite mind -
John Putney hesitated, but / saw that he
was anxious to raise his hand
"If there are any who do not wish an or
derly school. should be pleased to know it, -
resumed "for am determined not to have
scholars here who need to be forced into obe-
dience. am not fond Of Furnishing"
Putney's hand came up with a nervous jerk
and / saw him try to push divers up but
had caught the latter's eye, and he gave up to
the influence Of an imploring glance.
"What is your name :" l asked
my name is John Putney, the world overr
be replied in coarse, impudent tone; but yet
there was an effort in it.
"And do not desire good, orderly SCHOOL,
l resumed.
wal, don't care much one way noi
t'other.' he answered, IN the same tone, but
with increasing effort. and could see, too,
that he was trembling his strength away fast
"Nery we'll. | said, in firm. but yet kind
tone. III such is your opinion, then your
presence here will not only be useless to your
self, but Of great dotriment to the rest of the
school So you can retire before we proceed
any further. But should you Mt any time
make up your mind to come in with deter
mination to be orderly and gentemanly, you
can return
As spoke stepped down and opened the
door
'You can leave, l said.
"S'possn' I'd ruther stay here;" he return
ed, turning pale
''But you can't stay here !" l resumed, in a
tone and with look that made him start
1--WE cannot have you here. For the good Of
the school, and for the good of the school a
lone. you must leave ! can wait but mo-
ment longer"
The fellow was determined 10 try my
strength. But he might as well have thought
Of facing lightning-bolt was nerved uT
to my most powerful mood. felt in my arms
and hands, that were | then where Samson
once was, could have pulled down the pillar,
of the temple-roof.
! walked slowly up to the mans seat, (for
he was man in age and size, coming one
and-twenty within a month and placed my
hand upon his collar He grasped the edge
of the low desk before him and held on. With
one mighty ef'ort-an effort that surprised
myself tore the fellow from his seat and
raised him above my head l strobe on to
the outer entry, and when had gained the
door-stone, cast him down upon the snow
He scrambled to his feet and, with an oath
rushed towards me. | struck him between
the eyes and knocked him down. | went and
lifted him up, and then told him to go home
lie cast one look into my face from out of his
already swelling eyes, and then, with mutter'
ings of vengeance he walked away.
returned to the school room and of course
found the scholars all at the window, or,rath.
er, rushing back to their seats
Now" said l. with kindly smile, "sup
pose we try that vote over again, for, really,
feel deep, earnest desire to have the whole
school with me. All who are desirous of hav-
ing an orderly, model school, and who are re-
solved to labor to that end, will raise the
right hand.
Every hand went up in a moment.
And so ! commenced my school. | wen
to Stephen Oliver, and asked him how far hi
had gone with his studies. He told me, anC
4 L A.