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

introduced himself as Mr.. Bowen, and al
once proceeded with his business. He
wished to employ teacher for one OF
che schools in his town. He ran his eye
over my frame, and saw the result was
satisfactory, for he Immediately express
ed a desire to secure my services. l
asked him what sort of school it was.
WAL he said, with a peculiar nasal
twang, and pronunciation not set down
by any of our photographers, its a
pooiy tarnation hard school, naow l tell
ye. But yeou've got the bone an mus
Gle, an reckon as haOw yeOu might dew
it.
He again run his eyes over my large,
sinewy frame, and rubbed his hands with
evident satisfaction.
Have scholars been in the habit of
gaining control of the SCHOOL, l asked.
Lord bless ye, yes. Why, no master
can stand it week. Ye see, Squire,
thar's some pooty alfred staout boys in
that ere school.-Ye see they work in
swamps, an they'refind o'rough in their
ways. We hearn tell o'yeou, an 1 was
privileged to offer We forty dollars month.
ef ye'd only come an keep it. That's
more'n twice as much as we ever paid
afore.'
How large is the school?' I asked.
'Wal-thar's nigh onto sixty scholars,
all told, when they come-some boys an
some gals
had heard of the school before, and
had been acquainted with an excellent
teacher who had been thrown out from
the school-house and rolled in a snow
bank by the larger boys; yet I resolved
to go and try If. OF personal danger
had no fear, for | happened to possess a
large frame and proportionate amount
of nerve and muscle. l had exercised
freely in our gymnasium, and there was
not another man in the place who could
at all hold his strength by the side of
mine. Nature had been lavish in her
fayors, and evil habits had not impaired
the faculties God had given me.
told Mr.. Bowen l would keep the
school. 1t was TO commence on the first
day of December, and to continue three
months. But told him l must have
my own way. That in all things apper-
tanning to the school L must be master
that my will must be absolute, even to
the casting out of half of the scholars.
He said should have my own way and
he pledged his word that the Committee
should not interfere in any way, nor IN
der any circumstances.
At the appointed time l packed up my
wardrobe and school books, and started
for C.. When l reached the village
/ learned that my school was in distant
part Of the town-in a rugged region
known as Raubone HoLot0. On the fol-
lowing morning Mr.. Bowen took me ov-
err in his sleigh. l found my school
house upon the edge of quite a settle
ment, which was located in wide valley,
with high bleak mountains upon all sides.
was taken at once to the place where
was to board, and in this latter respect |
was fortunate.
My hosts name was Elias Bonney.-
He WAS well-to-do-farmer-about forty
five years of age, firm, intelligent man,
and one of the selectmen of the town.
He had FIVE children, that were to at
tend the school-the oldest being a gil
of nineteen, named Lydia, and the
youngest boy of seven.
Mr.. Bowen remained TO dinner, and
then took his leave and as soon as
was alone with Mr.. Bonney, l began to
inquire particularly about the school,
Ny host shook his head with dubious
expression.
You know what boys are,' be said,
especially if they've had their own way
for a long time. For six winters we've
had no school here that could be called a
school. There are quite a number Of
stout. boys, and they generally cUntrive
TO get the master out at the end of a
week. But think they'll find it hard
work to put you OUT
Il don't know l replied. But
really shouldn't want them to try it, for
I'm not apt to be very considerate when
acting on the defensive against mere
brute force.
Bonney said be should think 'twould
be dangerous for the scholars to make
the attempt. But he added with ano.h.
er dubious shake Of the head, the BOYS
are not only stout and hearty, but you
must remember there a number Of them.