Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-04-14

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 a
few remarks. ] opened my desk. and
drew forth the ponderous ferule and
raw hide
DO these belong to any one in the
school?' l asked, holding them up.
No one answered. | then asked
Lydia Bonney if she knew to whom
they belonged. She said she believed
their last teacher brought them. j
then stepped down and put them into
the stove.
After this l told the scholars that /
had come there to teach them-to help
them to an education which should fit
them better for the various paths of
life they might be called upon to pur-
sue. pictured to them the educated
men and women in contrast with the
ignorant, and urged them to weigh
well the considerations gave them.
l called up all my powers of imagina-
tion and simplifieation. And more
| said, Il have come to help give you
this education, if you will only receive
it. And in order to gain it properly
in order to have profitable school,
we must have oder and regularity.
We must all behave properly. Now
| am sure you do not know so much
of arithmetic. geography, history,
grammar, and other branches of COM
mon school education as / do; conse-
qucntly l feel it my duty to impart to
you all the information upon these
! subjects which l can. But | believe
, that of other qualifications of q scholar
you know as much as l do. You GER
tainly know how to behave properly
, how to be quiet, studious, and peace
able. If there is a scholar who does
not know how to do this, will he OF
2 she arise? lam in earnest. If no one
| rises, shall have an assurance from
( each and every one of you that you
: know how to behave properly in
school,
/ waited some minutes, but ne ono
rose. 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 we'll, said l, with a grateful
smile, Il thank you for your assurance
I And now | am going to place tn,
! government Of the school at your dis
n posal. You are all voters, and | wisl
: you to exercise the privilege. Shal
we have during the coming thre,
: months an orderly, model school? Al
! in favor of that will hold up thei
e right hands.
c The girls commenced first. Come,
d | urged, L want you all to vote on
: way or the other. | shall think al
h who do not vote on this side mean t,
e vote on the other. All up!'
It BY this time every hand was up
/. save Putney's and divers. The lat
e ter had got his hand half up. when
J. saw Putney catch it by the elbow an,
j. pull it back.
= Down., said /. Now. are thcr
rs any of the opposite mind?'
t, John Putney hcsitated, but | sa,
re that he was anxious to raise hi
ir hand.
If there are any who do not wis
he an orderly school, | should be please
he to know it, | resumed, for / am de
ID termined not to have scholars VIII
g need to be forced into obedience.
ut am not fond of punishing.'
k. Putney's hand came up with ner,
to Gus jerk, and l saw him try to pus
g divers up; but l caught the latter
ne eye, and he gave up to the influence
l an imploring glance.
ne What is your name?' 1 asked.
Id My name is John Putney the worl
over. he replied. in a coarse. imp
S. dent tone; but yet there was an effo
of in it.
F" And do you not desire a good, o
a derly school?' | resumed.
Wal. l don't care much one wa
g. nor t'othcr,' he answered, in the san
e. tone, but with increasing effort, al
et l could see, too, he was trembling h
strength away fast.
ld- Very WE'LL said. in firm. b
ed kind tone, If such is your opinio
is. then your presence here will not on
ed be useless to yourself, but Of great de-
it'll riment to the rest of the school.
rs. you can retire before we proceed a
set further. But should you at any til
he make up your mind to come in with
/ l determination to be orderly and &c
tlemanly, you can return
I