Connecticut western news., 1872-07-05
of character that occurred on that cold

desks and benches piled against it. After two portholes were opened by removing the chinks and daubing, and then gathered about 8 roaring fire in the huge fireplace, we waited the approach of the enemy. As the time approached for the masters coming, dread silence fell upon the little crowd, so that when he did come we could hear the heavy tread upon the crusted snow, and many heart sunk and face whitened in terror.
 Our leaders sprang to their posts each side of the door, and on being ordered to surrender, boldly demanded weeks holi- day, and treat of cider and apples.
 This was sternly refused.
 "Fire!'' cried Bill and Bob, and two poles were thrust out with all the strength the stoutest arms could give them. They took the indignant pedagogue in the sides with such force that, but for his thick flannel overcoat, holes might have been made in bis wicked body. As it was he staggered back, and for twenty minutes or more we saw him sitting on log catch ing his breath and rubbing his wounded sides. We gave no end of loud cheers, claiming for ourselves the first knock down, if not the first blood.
 At the end of tw enty minutes the master arose. Digging huge stone from under the snow he approached and threw it with great violence against the door. The stout oak batting fairly shook under the blow, but held it's own. Another and another and another followed, amid the jeers and laughter, encouraged by our noble leaders, to keep up the courage of their followers. The fourth stone split the door, and the fifth broke the upper wooden hinge, and but for the barricade within the breach would have been available. The enemy not being aware of the defence within, sud denly dropped the stone and ran at the door. We were not to be taken by sur prise. Again were the sharp lances thrust out. One hit, with decided effect, in the cemmissary, vulgarly called the stomach, the others, as he stopped doubled up by the pain, in the face, inficting an ugly wound, from which the blood flowed in profusion. He retreated, and we saw him fairly dance with rage and pain. The more of this he indulged in the wilder grew ou1 delight, which we testified in roars o1 laughter.
 He soon ended this exhibition and dis appeared around the schoolhouse, evident | ly on a reconnaissance. There was dead silence, and we realized that which we have so often felt since, the unknown movements of silent enemy. This was ended by ( noise on the rsof, and soon volumes o smoke pouring into the room told us that stratagem had taken the place of assault We were to be smoked out.
 For moment our leaders looked pug. zled. Fortunately, in the excitement o the conflict, the fire had not been fed, and now only few embers and chunks sup piled the smoke. These were scattered upon the broad hearth and water throwr in to extinguish the remainder. Then Bil and Bob, selecting four of the stoutest poles, thrust them up the chimney, and al the word we gave, to use our own phrase "a bloody hist"
 The consequences were rattling of fall ing boards, with the unmistakable thumr of heavier body upon the ground. w found afterward that the master had not only covered the chimney top with boards but had seated himself on them. Th' sudden and unexpected hist" had tum bled him off. We then heard dismal groan
 and cries for help. Some were in favor o going at once to his assistance; others
 more cautious, opposed such merciful CT
 rand.
 "He's hollerin' too loud to be hur
 much" said shrewd Bob.
 We had a division in our council of war
 This ended in call for volunteer to mak
 sortie and Investigate. Jack Loder, ont
 of the most daring and active among th
 younger boys, responded. A shutter ol
 the opposite side to the cries for help wa
 opened quickly and Jack thrust out. Tn
 result of this was not only cessation c
 the groans but chase, which we witnesse'
 through the portholes. Jack was goo
 runner, and when the two disappeared ove
 the meadow, into the willow thicket, Jacl
 was gaining on him, and we had good hope
 of his escape. To our dismay and horror
 in half an hour we saw the master returnin
 with poor Jack in his grasp. He had
 hostage, and was swift in the use of tn advantage. Stopping before the house, h began whipping the poor fellow unmerciful ly. Jacks crles were piteous. "Oh, let him in boys, let him in he klllin' O me-" rung in our ears. Ther was hurried consultation. The benche and desks were quietly removed. A sorti , had been determined upon. The maste stood at the side of the house, south of tn , door, and as soon as the opening was mad Bill unelosed shutter and proposed pa ley. The answer was a rush at the ope ; window by the master, who began climbin in. Brave little Jack seized him by u
 legs, and before he could kick himself ot dozen stout lads were clinging to then while as many more held him on the insid Bill seized the rope and attempted to pa :, the moose over his arms. In the hurry an l confusion of the fight, he succeeded Tn ge d ting it only over his head. Pulling at it the boys did, there was fair prospect $ ending the useful labors of this teacher | q strangulation. That he deserved it, I one of us doubted, but Bob having climbt @ over the master in the window, and all u g school pulling at the end of old Bangs, W a soor master of the situation. Getting ho l, of the rope, and assisted by Bill, we su }, ceeded in tying the arms of the almo s exhausted man to his sides. He was tur l, bled from the window as unceremonious a as pig.
 d "Will you give up?" demanded our lea 2 CTS.
 d "Nop' gasped the master.
 The brave old pedagogue still refusin s- he was dragged, rolled and tumbled to u g, we'll curb.
 10 "Will you give up, dern you," ask s. Bob.
 le "No, I won't"
 Id He was showed in aside of the buck 'n and orders given to lower. But the weig @, proved too much for the lads, and the era le of the windlass slipping from their gra' s. all the learning of our district went whi 1t ing to the bottom with the thunderi
 noise befitting such an exit. This " is more than we bargained for. Had we re i'd ly murdered the master? Bob and Bi Il, assisted by the stoutest, began pulling Id the unfortunate old fellow. It was ha D. work tugging at the windlass, and tn an i,isA nn11nht nlinnnSa If his hlnndo hn