Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-23
laiIg shnnebrt sonrnal.
sCH0OLMASTER OF RUSSIAN BAR.
.NYhen is he expected ?0

i
The doctors wife was an authority on
all matters in Russian Bar, and on this last
sensation-the coming of schoolmaster
she freely enlightened her neighbor,
Mrs. Blunt, plump widow whose nus
band had died few months before.
There was not much to gossip about in
that quiet village. The arrival and de-
parture of the stage brought the people to
their doors. three times week, and II a
stranger was noticed, ENJOYS were imme-
diately despatched to the hotel to learn his
name and business and probable length OF
STAY. But now Russian Bar was to have
a new school master, and the folks Won
dered much if he would have any trouble
with Sam Seymour the butchers boy, or
Ike Walker. an unruly spirit, who had
knocked down and pummeled the last pre-
ceptor, who undertook to teach him school
discipline. The trustees were powerless
in these matters, and declared that if
schoolmaster was not able to "get away"
with the boys in a square, stand-up fight,
he might as well pick up his traps and
and leave Russian Bar
On the evening of the expected arrival,
Seymour and Walker the leading spirits
Of the mutinous school boys, met at a
pool. from which both were endeayoring
to coax few speckled trout for supper.
"Have you heard what the new chap is
like. Sam?" said Ike, as he impaled Il
wriggle worm on his hook
No; have you ?'
Father told Jake, the barkeeper, that
he was very young.
And small o.
"Yes"
Guess he won t stay long in town. Ike"
Il guess not Sam. School aint good for
us, such fine weather as this"
The worthless sat and fished in silence
for some time, and then Ike produced
bunch Of cigarettes and passed them to his
friend At last finding that the fish would
not bite, they shouldered their poles and
struggled up towards the village, pausing
q moment to stone Chinaman's rooster
which had strayed too far from the pro-
tecting wash house.
TIE SCHooLMAsTER.
Philip Houghton was q schoolmaster
from necessity, and not taste. Like many
who have been educated as gentlemen in
one sense of the word that is without the
acquaintance with any special pursuit that
might be turned to good account in the
struggle for bread, he found himself adrift
in California with nothing to fall back on.
Seeing an advertisement in city paper
for competent teacher to take charge of
the school at Russian Bar, he answered it
and accepted at a venture. Putting his
few movables together-a pair of foils
and set of well worn boxing gloves, for
Houghton was an accomplished boxer and
fencer--he bought his ticket for Russian
Bar.
He found the stage driver communica
tive, pleasant fellow, who at his request
describedthe characteristics of his fu-
ture home. Indeed, his description of
the class of boys whom Houghton was to
take charge of was not very encouraging
You'll find them hard lot" said he
land they're all On the muscle, too"
'What is the weight Of my Oldest 81
asked Houghton, good humoredly. you
see, if have got to exercise something
more than moral suason, want to get
posted on the physique of my men,"
"Well, Ike Seymour is the strongest. 4"
''And what is about the size of the re-
doubtable Ike?
We'll, I guess he tops you by half a
head"
80, expect we'll get along we'll
enough together" said Houghton !" and l
suppose this is the first glimpse of Russian
Bar" he added, as a turn in the road
brought them in view of that picturesque
village.
The stage bowled along the smooth
road and past the great white oak under
whose friendly branches the teamsters
We're accustomed to make their noontime
halt.
"I'll set you down at the hotel" said
the driver
There's Perkins, the proprietor; that
fat man smoking on the stoop."
Uoughton confessed to himself that the
prospect before him was anything but
prepossessing one. He was not of a very
combative nature, though he liked little
danger for the excitement; but a game
of fstcuffs with a dirty mutinous boy, had
neither glory nor honor for a man that
had been one Of the hardest hitters in his
college.
The folks were ali at the doors when
the stage clattered up the single street,
and the slender good looking young man
by the driver was measured and can
vassed before that worthy had passed the
mail to the doctor, who, with his medical
ayocations, also found time to "run" the
post office.
The doctors wife was at her window,
and after long survey of the schoolmas-
ter. fastened to communicate her opinions
to Mrs. Blunt. Meanwhile Houghton
washed off the red dust of the road, and
took his seat at the supper table. The
driver had introduced him to about doz-
en- of the leading citizens during the few
minutes that interviewed between their ar
rival and the evening meal.
''How do you like our town, Mr. Hough-
ton?" asked the landlord, graciously, as
he helped his new guest to cut Of steak.
We'll, it seems pretty place"
when you get acquainted you'll find
yourself pleasantly situated; but you'll
have "A hard time with the boys
$50 they tell me. Anyhow, | am not
unprepared," said Houghton, cheerfully
After supper the landlord remarked con-
iidentially TO the doctor, ''that the young
man had grit in him, and he thought he'd
be able to make the rifle with the boys.
THE FIRST DAY.
When Houghton arose next morning,
and opened his window to the fresh breeze
o1orouS with tho porft,np of tho climb.