Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-03-25
Bonney pondered few moments and

neighbors. They're kind and ready in cases
o of need, but they seem determined 10 re-
sist the schoolmaster.'
We kept up the conversation, at inter
j walls until bedtime, and when had re-
q tired for tie night, had about made up my
mind as to the nature of the work had tc
o do. / had learned enough to assure me o.
several important facts In the first place
t, each succeeding teacher had gone into the
"a school-house with the firm belief that he
had got to fight his way through. This
very feeling had served to excite his com.
bstiveness, so that his first position to his
scholars was an antagonistic one. The re-
S suit had been inevitable AT fighting the
: large scholars were handy, they had pre-
pared for it and expected it, and conse-
quenty were easily led to an exhibition of
their pugnacious qualities.
On the next morning, | went 10 the
school-house little earlier than the usual
hour for commencing. ] found the build
ing nearly new, and looking clean and neat.
| liked that. / went in and arranged my
books on the desk. Mr.. Bonney had CIV
en- me the key to this desk, at the same
time informing me that he believed there
/ were some implements there | might need.
found heavy rock maple ferule, some
two 1eet long by two inches wide, and three
quarters of an inch thick.
1t was a perfect club, and was moreover,
enough to excite the ire of any decent per-
son who might see it brandished about in
the hands of superior. 1t was not alone.
It had companion in the shape of long,
stout, heavy raw-hide or green-hde as
they are sometimes called | let them re-
main in the desk.
AT nine o'clock | rang the hand bell with |
which my host had supplied me, and he
scholars took their seats. The school was
full, and as | glanced carefully around, t
was pleased with the appearance Of most
of the scholars. They were comey, in
teligent set for such place. But among |
the larger boys were s,me faces which
wished to study.
John Putney and Stephen Oliver had
been so thoroughly described to me that l
recognized them the moment | put my
eyes upon them. They were two hard
looking customers, especially the former.
Putney was tall and stout. He wore Il
scowl upon his face, and seemed to lean
back in his seat like one who held sway DER
all around. When | first came to him in
my sweeping glance caught his eye. He
tried hard to keep up his gaze, but in a
few seconds his lips trembl4d and his eyes
sank. / knew / 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 in
telligent, and he seemed to have some pride.
As soon as all was still, made few
remarks. | opened my desk and drew
forth the ponderous fer1le and raw-hide.
10 these belong to any one in the
school r. 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. then stepped down and
put them both into the stove.
After this / 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 in life they might be
called upon to pursue. pictured TO them {
the educated man and woman in contrast ;
with the ignorant, and urged them TO weigh
well the considerations ! gave them. | 5
called up all my powers of Imagination and {
And more said |, | have ;
come to help give you this education, if |
you will only receive ii. And in order to ,
gain it properly-in order to have profit
able school, we must have order and regu- ,
larity We must all behave properly. t
Now / am sure you do rot know so much |
of arithmetic geography, history, gram
mar and other branches of common school I
education as do; consequently feel it |
my duty to inpart to you all the informa-
ton upon these subjects which | can. But !
| believe of that other qualification of a a
scholar YOU know as much as | do. You ,
know how to behave properly-how 10 be 5
quiet, studious, and peacable. If there is a I
scholar present who does not know how TO {
do this. will he or she arise | am in earn :
est. IF no one ARISES / shall consider a
that have an assurance from each and {
every one of you that you know how to ,
behave properly in the school,
| waited some minutes, but no one arose. I
But coull see that Mr.. John Putney was t
uneasy. He seemed to be feeling that l d
was compromising him in advance Of his {
WILL However, | appeared not to notice I
him. .
Very WE'LL said /, with grateful smile,
thank you for your assurance. And t
now | am going to place the government of
the school at your disposal. You are all t
voters, and | wish you TO exercise the priv a
iIege. Shall we have, during the coming
three months, an orderly, model school t
All in favor of that will hold up their right 5
hands
The girls commenced first. Come |
urged, | want you all TO vote one way or :
the other. / shall think that all who do $
not vote on this side mean to vote on the j
other. All upl' BY this time every a
right hand was up, save Putney's and Oh
ver's. The latter had got his hand half |
up. when l saw Putney catch it by the ell
bow and pull it back.
Down. said. Now, are there any Of
~ .,,.,,as.o mind - .a Z