New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-03-28
At nine o'clock / rang the hand-bel!


carefully around, 1 was pleased with
the appearance ofmost of tho scholars.
They were comely, intelligent set for
such a place. But among the larger
boys were some faces which / wished
to study. John Putney and Stephen
Oliver had been so thoroughly describ-
ed that recognized them the moment
l put my eyes upon them. They were
two hard looking customers, especially
the former Putney was tall and stout;
with a head and shoulders not unlike
those of bull. He wore scowl upon
his face, and seemed to lean back in his
seat like one who held sway DER all
around. When 1 first came to him in
my sweeping glance l caught his eye.
He tried hard to keep up his gaze, but
IN very few seconds his lids trembled
and his eyes sank. 1 knew l could con-
quer him in some way.
Stephen Oliver was not so tall as
John Putney, although some said,
stronger. But he was better man.
His face more intelligent, and he seem
ed to have some pride,
AS soon as all was still l made few
remarks. l opened my desk and drew
forth the ponderous ferule and rawhide.
DO these belong to any one in the
school p 1 asked, holding them up.
No one answered. l then asked
Lydia Bonney if she knew to whom they
belonged. She said she believed their
last teacher brought them. l then STEP
ped down and put them both in the
stove.
After this told the scholars that I
had come there to teach them-to help
them to an education which should fit
them better for the various paths in life
they mi chit be called upon to pursue.
| pictured to them the educated man
and woman in contrast with the igno-
rant. and urged them to weigh we'll the
considerations gave them. l called
all my powers Of ina agination and Sim
pIiication. in protrayinS the happy re-
suits of education. And more, said l,
I have come to help give you this edu-
cation, if you will only receive it. And
in order to gain itproperly--in order to
have profitable school, we must have
order and regularity. We must all be
have properly. Now. am sure you
DO not know so much Of arithmetic, ge-
osraphy, history, grammar, and other
hranches of common-sciool education as
I DO ; consequently feel it my duty to
impart to you all the information upon
these subjects which I can. But be-
lieve of that other publication of
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 peaceablc. Il
there is a scholar present who does not
know how to do this, will he Or she arise?
/ am in earnest Ifno 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 [ could see that Mr.. John
Pntney was uneasy. He seemed to be
fearing that I was compromising him in
advance Of his will However, I ap-
pearcd not to notice him.
VERY WE'LL said I, with a grateful
smile: I thank you for your assurance
And now | am going to place the gov
ernment Of the school at your disposal
You are all voters, and l want you
to exercise the privilege. Shall we have, du-
ring the three coming months, an orderly,
model school all in favor OF that will hold
up their right hands;
lhe girls commenced first Come | urg.
cd, want you all to vote one way or the 9TH
er. shall think all who do not vote on this
side, mean to vote on the other. All upn
Ky this time every right hand was up save
Putneys and divers. The latter had got
his hand half up, when saw Putney catch
it hy the bow and pull it back
Down. I said. Now, are there any of
the opposite mindv
John Putney he>itated, but saw that he
was anxious to raise his hand.
Ut there are any who do not wish an or
derby school should be pleased to know it.
| resumed, for | am determined not to have
scholars here who need to be forced iuto
obedience. l am not fond Of punishing:'
Putney hand came up with nervous jerk.
and saw HIM try to push divers Up; but
had caught the latter's eye, and he gave up
to the influence of an imploring glance.
What is your name 2 asked
MY name is John Putncy, the world over I!
he replied in course, impudent tone but
yet there was an effort IN it,
and do you not desire a good, orderly
school q resuMed.
Wal, | don't care much one way or the