Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-02-24

grass grows and water runs"
bravo! hear hear" shouted Bill
Jones, the wag of the district.
Eyes he hits the nail on the head,
cried several more, who had been rather
inactive during the disputes; 'be still,
and let him speak"
The speaker continued 'This is very
peaceful community, and you are too wise
to allow this little excitement to make it
otherwise; we and our children are capa-
BILE of something better than violent com
bativeness. Let US take measures to Sc
cure it. If you will authorize me to
engage teacher, I think can find one
whom the children will respect and obey,
and who will restore the school to order,
and make it something like what school
ought to be-" ~
81 nominate Mr.. Burnside" said Bill
Jones; "to hire school teacher, said a
dozen more.
1t was well known that MIR. Burnside
held what some called "wild notions" with
respect to the management of children,
as we'll as some other matters. Yet, some
how, it was felt that he would do what he
promised. At any rate, no one else under
took to promise as much, and he was &C
cordingly appointed to the sffice which
Squire Rulum resigned.
A few days afterwards it was known
that Mr.. Burnside had engaged teacher;
but if the people had been angry before,
they were now filed with astonishment
They had entertained very high opinion
of Mr.. Burnside's Judgment. They had
believed him a shrewd, sensible man but
what should be thought of him now |!
Why, the man had actually engaged a
ao0naaaa to teach the school! Some of them
were soon collected at the house of Mr..
MILFORD to discuss the matter.
"This does beat all natur," said Mr..
Jones; ~ thought the man had IN ore
sense"
"Why, our school has got to be worse
than den of lions," exclaimed Aunt Eu-
nice does he think that little bit of a
woman can govern it 2"
The women rule the world, you know,
Mrs. MILFORD" said Bill Jones. ~ dare
say this Miss Lewis will subdue the boys
and conquer the men too"
at may be she WILL" was the sharp
toned reply zone woman is worth fifty
men any time"
Deacon Wilson said: Mr. Burnside
has acted very strangely. [ am aston
ished, for he is man of good Judgment;
but he has some strange notions. don't
know but we ought to have "A meeting
and dismiss this teacher before she begins
school, 1t will never answer to have
woman in the school while it is in this
condition"
81 wish Squire Rulum would hire an
other teacher" said Mr.. MILFORD He
meant to have the hoys conquered and
tyranuized over, but he found his match
this time. 1 wish he'd hire another
teacher"
Mr.. Burnside entered, and Immediately
encountered a storm of wonder at his
folly in hiring a woman to teach the
school. Addressing himself to Deacon
Williams, he observed:
deacon, / believe you are acqusinted
with Miss Lewis"
II am somewhat acquainted with her.
She has fine education, and she is Il very
superior woman. But what can a woman
do in our school while it Is in sueh an uT-
roar 7"
"a woman will hardly do worse than
our last teachers have done. At any rate,
it is plain that the school cannot be man
aged properly by violent measures and
strong men. Let us for once dismiss this
fighting principle, and see what can be
done by gentle and accomplished wo-
man"
"The boys would be ashamed to fight a
woman" observed Bill Jones; you'll
never catch the boys fighting woman"
Eight woman y replied Mr.. MILFORD
'what should they fight woman for
You don't suppose the boys are wild saw
ages, do ye? Fight woman Did you
ever hear of their fighting anybody but
such rascally schoolmasters Squire
Rulum hires ?"
''It is very certain, therefore" said -
Burnside, that there will be no ~
while Miss Lewis has Chr g ing
school. Her induenocr, viii aana,a We
something better ttnan combativenotp"
Let us give her fair trial. and snst t1i1'
her faithfully" ''''i"
:, The school began, and every person in
the district eagerly watched what was
called the trial of Mr. Burnsides exp.ri.
ment. The boys went to school curious.
and somewhat at a loss in regard to the
line OF conduct they should pursue. I'll
the teacher were only another Mr.. Vio~
lent, they thought, or another Mr.. Dale, |
they would know how to yaeet him.
They could answer defiance we'll enough,
Tor They TAD improved by p-nuti i..' :, this |
business. But thQEe was no sietiano e i, !
Mr. Burnside'a view of TEACHER, and
they found no defiance in the serene
countsnance or gracefnl manner OF Miss
Lewis
On opening the school she, briefly ex-
planned her views and wishes to, the chill |
dren, saying to the older boys: I
IL rely on your self-respect l feel
sure that you will not eznbarrass me by
alsorderly conduct, or by inattention to
your studies"
al that dignity which commands instant
respect, though 1T was sweet as music, and
gentle as the most delicious summer
breeze. While reporting she events of the
lay. Edward Williams said of it,
Gone could listen to her voice the
whole day, without having the day seem
more than five minutes long"
"Well, Ned said Bill Jones. do you
link the boys will fog this teacher and
put her out of the school-house ?" t3e
Put her out of the school-housel If
my body has mind to put her out of the
'chool- house, let him try it some day
when am there. He'll need wagon to-
.ide home in, can tell him
The school was no longer troubled nv
'iolent passions, nor by disorderly con-
iuct. Miss Lewis succeeded even beyond ,
hr. Burnside's expectations Her in
luence over the school was wonderful. It'll ,
eemed like magic The childre,s believed
ho was absolutely perfect, and the pre- 6
dominant feeling among them was dread
i giving her pain. With her success in
he school the old harmony and good {
lature came back to the people Ia more :
aspects than one she was like an angel
0 US. She remained in the school several !
ears, and when she finally went away, '
one saw how to fill her place, and many a
elieved the very school itself was f
one beyond all hope of recovery. But q
70 have secured another excellent teacher.
indeed, we are much better qualified toll !.
'lect good teachers, since, through Miss II