Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-12-25


pretty stout matters TO deal with"
"Bnt how many are there in the
school," I asked, "who are really bad
who are ready to 80 ahead in any evil
pranks p
Bonney pondered . few moments,
and then replied
"Why, there's only two OF them that
are really ugly; and even they aiu't bad
neighbors. They're kiad and ready 10
cases Of need, but they seem determined
to resist the school master"
We kept up the conversation ct inter-
walls, until bed time, and when ! retired
for the night l had about made up my
mind as to the nature OF the wosk had
to do. had learned enough 70 assure
me Of several important facts. In the
first place, each succeeding teacher had
gone into the school house with the firm
belief that he had got TO 6ght his way
through. This very feeling had served
to excite his combativeness, 90 that bis
first position to the scholars was an an
tagonistic one. The result had been in
evitable. At fighting the large scholars
we're handy they had prepared for it and
expected it, and consequently were easi.
" led to an exhibition OF their pugna-
cious qualities.
On the next morning went to the
school house little earlier than the usual
nour for commencing. ! found the
building nearly new and looking clean
and neat. l liked that. went in and
arranged my books on the desk. Mr..
Bonney had given me the key to his desk
at the same time Informing me that he
believed there were some implements
there l might need. l found . heavy
rock maple ferule, some two feet long by
twoiuches wide, and three.quarters Of an
inch thick.
Itwas perfect club, and was, more.
over, enough to excite the ire of any de-
cent person who might see it brandished
about 10 the hands Of superior. Itwas
not alone. 1t had a companion in the
shape of long, stout, heavy rawhide, or
screen hide" as they are sometimes
called. let them remain il the desk.
At nine o'clock rang the hand-bel
with which my host had supplied me,
and the scholars took their seats. The
school was full, and IS gazed carefully
around, was pleased with the appear
ance of most of the scholars. They
we're comely, intelligent set for such a
place. But among the larger boys we're
some faces which l wished to study.
John Putney and Stephen Oliver had
been so thoroughly described that |
recognized them the moment l put my
eyes upon them. They were two hard
looking customers, especially the former.
Pu,ney was tall and stout, with head
and shoulders not unlike those of bull.
He wore q scowl upon bis face, and
seemed to lean back in bis seat like one
who held sway DER all around. When
| fist came to him in my sweeping
glance caught his eye. He tried hard
to keep up bis gaze, but in very few
seconds bic lids trembled and his eyes
sank. l knew l could conquer him in
some way.
Stephen Oliver was not so tall as John
Putney, although some said, stronger.
But he was . better man. His face was
more intelligent, and he seemed to hav"
As soon as all was still, made few
remarks. l opened my desk and drew
forth the ponderous fcrule and rawhide.
"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 be.
longed. She said she believed their
last teacher brought them. l then
stepped down and put them both in the
stove.
After this I 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. l
pictured to them the educated man and
woman 10 contrast with the ignorant,
and urged them to weigh we'll the con-
siderations l gave them. l called all
my powers Of imagination and simplifi-
cation, in portraying the happy results
Of education. "And more," said / II
have come to help give you this educa.
ton, if you will only receive it. And
in order to gain it properly-in order o
have profitable school, we must have
order and regularity. We must all be.
have properly. Now, am sure you do
not know 90 much of arithmetic, geog-
raphy, history, grammar and other BRAN
ches OF common-school education as |
do; consequently feel it my duty to
impart to you all the information upon
these subjects which can. But ! be-
lleve Of that other qualification of a
scholar you know as much as / DO.
You certainly know how to behave.
You know how to behave properly
how to be quiet, studious and peaceable.
If there is q scholar present who does
not know how to do this, will he or she
arise? l am in earnest l. no one rises
| shall consider that ! have an assurance
from each and every one of you that you
know how to behave properly in school,"
waited some moments, but no one
arose. But l could see that Mr.. John
Putney was uneasy. He seemed to be
fearing that was compromising him 10
advance Of his will. However, 1 ap-
peared not to notice him.
Every WE'LL" said ], with a grateful
smile, 81 thank you for your assurance.
And pow l am going to place the gov
ernment Of the school at your disposal.