Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-08-18

He had FIVE children that were to attend
the school-the Oldest being girl of
nineteen. named Lydia, and the youngest
boy of seven.
Mr.. Brown remained to dinner and
then took his leave, and was alone with
Mr.. Bonney. l began to enquire par
ticularly about tic school. My host
shook his head with very dubious ex-
preston. '''
"You know what boys are" he said,
especially if they've had their way for
a long time. For six winters We have
had no school that could be called a
school. There are quite n large number
of stout boys, and they generally strive
to get the master out at the end of the
wock. But l think they'll find hard
work to put you out"
II don't know" l replied, "but !
really shouldn't want them to try, for I
am not apt to be very consideratc when
acting eli the defence of mere brute force ="
Bonney said he should think it would
be dangerous for the scholars to make
the attempt.
But" he added, with anotier dubi.
GUS shake of head, "the boys are not on
ly stout and hearty, but you must re-
member there is number Of them Onrp
get 'em started and they don't fear any
thing. They have had some pretty stout
masters to deal with" .t
"But how many are there in the
school," asked, "who are really bad
who arc ready to 60 ahead in any evil
pranks"
Bonncy pondered a few moments and
then replicdi
"Why there's only two Of them that
are really ugly; and even they amt bad
ncighbors. They're kind and ready in
case of need, but they seem determined
to resist the schoolmastcr."
We kept up the conversation, at inter-
I walls, till bed time, and when retired for
the night l had about made up my mind
/ as to the nature of tho work | had to do.
| had learned enough to 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 to fight his way through.
This very feeling had served tc ssrite his
combativeness so that ils first position to
the scholars was an antagonistic one.
The result had been inevitable.
At fighting, the large scholars were
handy; they had prepared for and expect
cd it, and consequently were easily led
to an exhibition of pugnacious qualities.
On the next morning, found the
building nearly new and looking clean
and neat. l liked that. I went in
and arranged my books on tho desk
Mr.. Bonney had given me the key to
that desk. informing me at tho same
time, that he believed there was somo
implements there might need. / found
n heavy rock-maple ferulc. some two feet
long by two inches wide. and thrcc-quar-
tcrs of an inch thick.
1t was n perfect club. and was, more
over, enough to excite the ire Of any de-
cent person, who might sec II bfandishcd
about in the hands ola superior. 1t was
not alone 1t had n companion in the
shape of long. stout, heavy raw-hidc,
or "grccn hide" as they are sometimes
called let them remain in the desk.
At nine o'clock rang the handbcll,
with whief fly host had supplied me.
ara .iltc scholars took their seats. The
school was full, and l gazcd carefully
around. l was pleased with the appear
ance of most of the scholars. There was
comcly, intelligent set for such place.
But AMONG the larger boys were some
faces which I wished to study. John
Putney and Stephen Oliver had been SO
thoroughly described that I recognized
them the moment I put my eyes upon
item.
They wcfo two hard looking customers,
especially the former. Putney was tall
and stout, with head and shoulders not
unlike those of bull. Iie wore a scow1
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 Icaught his eye.
IIc tried very hard to keep up bis ga'o5
but in very few seconds his lids trem-
bled and Ills eyes sank. knew could
conquer him in some way. Stephen
Oliver was not so tall as John Putney,
although some said stronger. But he
vas better man! His face seemed more
intelligent. and he seemed to have pride.
As soon as all was was still made a
few remarks. l opened the. desk and
drew forth the potderoas Mrllc and raw
hide. ,.-
"Do these belong to sny one in the
SCHOOL," 1 asked, holding them up.
No one answered. / then asked kS-
dia Bonney if she knew to whom they
belonged. She said sho believed their
last teacher brraght them. 1 then
stepped down and put them in the stove.
After this L told the scholars 1 had
come there to teach thcm--to help them
to an education which would fit then,
better for the various paths in life they
might be called upon to pursue. !