Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-01-07

who are ready to go ahead in any evil
pranks?'
Bonney pondered a few moments, and
then replied
Why, there's only two of them that
are really ugly; and even they amt bad
neighbors. They're kind and ready in
cases of need, but they seem determined
to resist the school-master.'
We kept up the conversation, at inter-
walls, until bedtime, and when / retired
for the night had about made up my
mind as to the nature Of the work had
to do. l had learned enough to assure
me of several important facts. In the
first place, each succeeding teacher had
gone into the school-house with the firm
belief that he had got TO fight his way
through. This very feeling had served
to excite his combativeness, so that his
first position TO the scholars was an an
tagonistic one. The result had been in
evitable. At fighting the large scholars
were handy, they had prepared for it and
expected it, and consequently were easily
led TO an exhibition of their pugnacious
qualities.
On the next morning, went to the
school-house little earlier than the usu-
al hour for commencing. l found the
building nearly new, and looking clean
and neat. l liked that. I went in and
arranged my books on the desk. Mr..
Bonney had given me the key to this
desk, at the same time informing me
that he believed there were some imple-
ments there l might need, 1 found heavy
rock-maple ferule, some two feet long
by two inches wide, and three-quarters OF
an inch thick.
1t was perfect club, and was more
over, enough to excite the ire of any de-
cent person who might see it brandished
about in the hands of asuperior. 1t was
not alone. 1t had companion in the
shape of long, stout, heavy raw-hide,
or green hide as they are sometimes
called. let them remain in the desk.
At nine o'clock rang the hand-belI
with which my host had supplied me,
and the scholars took their seats. The
school was full, and as I gazed carefully
around, L was pleased with the appear
.ance of most of the scholars. They
were a comely, intelligent set for such a
place. But among the larger boys were
some faces which | wished tC study.
John Putney and Stephen Oliver had
been so thoroughly described to me that
| recognized them the moment | put ms
eyes upon them. They were two hard
looking customers, especially the former
Putney was tall and stout, with a head
and shoulders not unlike those of a bull
He wore scowl upon his face, and seem.
ed to lean back in his seat ike one who
held sway o'erall around. When [ first
came TO him in my sweeping glance
caught his eye. He tried hard to keer
up his gaze, but in a very few second.
his lids trembled and his eyes sank.
knew l could conquer him in some way
Stephen Oliver was not so tall as Put.
ney, 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 1 made a few
remarks. opened my desk and drew
forth the ponderous feruIe and raw-hide
DO these belong to any one in the
school" asked, holding them up.
No one answered. Ithen asked Lydia
Bonney if she knew to whom they be
longed. She said she believed their las
teacher brought them. then stepped
down and put them both into the stove.
After this l told the scholars that
bad come there to teach them-to helr
them to an education which should fl
them better for the various paths in life
they might be called upon to pursue.
pictured TO them the educated man anf
woman in contrast with the ignorant, anC
urged them to weigh well the considera
tions | gave them. called up all my
powers Of imagination and sirnplifcation
And more. said | have come to heL
you to this education, if you will only re
ceige it. And in order to gain it prop
erly-in order to have profitable school
We must have order and regularity. w,
must all behave properly. Now an
sure you do not know 50 much of arith
metic, geography, history, grammar, ant
other branches Of common school educa
ton as | do; consequently feel it M
duty to impart to you all the information
upon these subjects which / can. But
E ba.iaa-a rf 49, 81 1,..aIs e - E