The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-02-29

III Jul siJSst Nv -AOtSi ~
The master spoke as the captain speaks
to the henIsman, when there are rocks
foaming at the lips, right under his lee.
Abncr BRIGGS answered as the lclms-
man answers, when he knows he has q
m ,tiuous crew round him that mean to
run the ship on the reef, and is one Of
the mutneers himself. "Put him aout
y'rself, T ye ant afeard Of him.
The master stepped into the aisle. The
great cur showed his teeth, and the dew
fish instincts Of his old wolf-ancestry
looked out of his eyes, and flashed from
his sharp tusks, and yawnel in his wide
mouth and deep red gulIet.
The movements Of animals are so much
quicker than those of human beings com
monty ore, that they avoid blows as ca
silly rs one of us steps out of the way of
an oy-cart. 1t must be very stupid dog
that lets himself be run over by fast
driver in bis gig; he can jump out Of the
wheels way after the tire has already
touched him. So, while one lifts stick
to strike, or is drawing back his foot to
kick, the beast makes his spring, and the
blow or the kick comes too late.
1t was not 80 this time. The master
was fencer, and something Of n boxer;
he had played at single stick, and was
used to watching his adversary's eye, and
coming down on him without any Of
those prcnonitory symptoms by which
unpractised persons show long before
hand what mischief they are melta-
ting.
"Out with you he said fiercely-and
explained what he meant by sudden
flash of bis foot that clasped the yellow
dogs white teeth together, like the spring
ing of bear trap. The cur knew he
had found his master at the first word
and glance, as low animals on four legs,
or smaller number, always do; and the
blow took him SO much by surprise that
it curled him up in an instant, and be went
bundling out of the open school house
door, with most pitiabIe yeIp, and his
stump of tail shut down as close as his
owner ever shut the short, STUDDED blade
Of his jacknife.
1t was time for the other eur to find
who his master WINS.
Follow your dog Abner Briggs" said
Master Langdon.
The stout butcher youth looked round,
but the relc were all cowe1, and sat
still.
"rll 90 when I'm ready" he said, an
| guess L won't go much aforo I'm rea-
dy."
"You're ready now" said Master Lang
don, turning up his cuff. so that the little
boys noticed the yellow CLEAN Of Il pair
of gold sleeve buttons, once worn by Col.
Percy Wentworth, famous in the Old
French War.
Abner Briggs Junior, did not apparent
ly think no was ready, at any rate, for
be rose in his place and stood with clench
ed fists, defiant, as the master strobe to-
wards him. The master knew the fellow
was really fric htened, for all his looks,
and that he must have no time to rally.
So he caught him suddenly by the collar,
and with one great pull, had him out over
his desk and on the open floor. He gave
him n sharp fling backwards, and stood
looking at him.
The rough-and-tumblc fighters all
cfnch, as everybody knows; and Abner
Briggs, Junior, was one of that kind
He remembered how he bad floored Mas
ter Weeks, and he had just "spunk"
| enough left in him to try to releat his
former successful experiment on the new
master. lie sprang at him open-handed
to clutch him. SO the master had to
striko.-once, but very harl, aud just in
the place to tell. No doubt, the author
ity that doth hedge schoomaster, added
to the effect of the blow; but the blow
was itself a neat one, and did not require
to be repeated.
..Now go hemeT said the master,
"and don't let me see you or your dog
here again." And he turned his cuffs
down again over the gold slesve-buttons.
This finished the great Piswacket Cen
ter school rebellion. What could be done
with q master who was so pleasant when
the boys behaved decently, and such q
terrible fellow when he got "riled," as
thew called it? In weeks time, every
thing was reduced TO order, and the sehoo
committee were delighted. The master
however, had received a proposition s.
much more agreeable and advantageous
that be informed tie committee he shoul,