The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-06-06
B. B. BLACK WE'LL, EDITOR.

was alone with Mr. Benny, | began to
inquire particularly abont the school.
NV host shook his head with dubi-
Gus expression.
You know what boys are," he
said, especially as they've had their
] own way for long time. For six
winters we've had no school here that
could be called school. There are
quite number of stout boys, and gen.
orally contriEe to get the master out
at the end of the week. But / think
they will find it hard to put goa out. y
I" / don't know" / replied, but ]
really shouldn't want them to try 1t,
for am not apt to be very consider
ate when acting on the defensive against
mere brute force"
Benny said he should think 'twoulG
be dangerous for the scholars to make
the attempt.
But" he added, with another shake
of the head, the boys are not only
stout and hearty, but there's num-
Der of them. Get them agoing, and
they don't fear anything They've
had some pretty stout masters tor deal
with"
But how many are there in the
school," | asked, :" who are really bad
who are ready to go ahead in any
evil pranks Z"
Boaay pondered few minutes, and
then replied
Why, there's only two of them
that are really ugly and even they
aitl't ready in case Of need, but they
seem to be determined to resist the
school-master."
We kept into conversation uatil bed
time, and when | retired for the night
had made up any mind as to the ma
ture Of the work I had to do. | had
/ learned enough to assure me Of sever
al important facts. In the first place,
each succeeding master had gone into
that school house with the firm convic-
ton that he had got to fight his way
through. This very feeling had served
to excite his combativcness, so that his
first position to the scholars was an
antagonistic one. The result had been
inevitable. At fighting, the larger
scholars were handy; they had pre-
pared for it and expected it, and con-
sequently were easily led to an exhi-
bition of their pugnacious qualities.
On the next morning / went to the
school house a little earlier than the
usual hour for commencing. found
the building nearly new and docking
neat and clean. liked that. Invent
in and arranged my books on the desk
Mr.. Benny had given me the key
to bis desk, at the same time iniorming
me that l might need it. [ found a
heavy rock maple ferule, some two feet
long by two inches wide, and three
fourths of an inch thick.
1t was perfect club, and was, more
over, enough to excite the ire of any
decent person who might see it braad-
ished about i'm the hands of superior.
1t was not alone. 1t had a companion
in the shape of stout, heavy raw-hide
or "green hide" as they are some
times called. L let them remain in the
desk.
At nine o'clock L rang the hand bell
with which my host had supplied me,
and the scholars took their SEATS
The school was full, and as I glanced
carefully around / was pleased with
the appearance of most of the scholars.
They were a comely, intelligent look
ing set for sach place. But among
the larger boys were some faces which
/ wished to study.
John Putney and Stephen Oliver
had been so thoroughly described to
me that | recognized them the moment
put ray eyes upon them. They were
two hard looking customers, especially
the former Putuey was tall and
stout, With head and shoulders not
unlike those of a bull. He wore q
scowl upon his face, and seemed tc
lean back ia his seat like one who held
sway over all around, when | first came
to him in my sweeping glance, but in
very few seconds he trembled and hii
eyes sank. | knew / could conquer
him in some way.
Stephen Oliver was not so tall AZ
John Putney, though some said strong
er. But he was better man. Hi
face was more intelligent, aid he haC
some pride.
As soon as all was still | made {
few remarks ! opened my desk ant
drew forth the the ferule and raw hide
Do these belong to any one il
school 2" / asked.
40 one answered. l then asked
Lydia Benny if she knew to whom
they belonged. She said she believed
their last teacher brought them.
then stepped down and put them boil
into the stove.
Alter this | told the scholars that
had come their to teach thenl--to hell
u 4 a