The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-01-28

introduced him to about dozen of the
leading citizens during the few minutes
that intervened between their arrival and
the evening meal.
elbow do you like our town, Mr.. Hough-
ton Pn asked the landlord, graciously, as he
helped his new guest to cut of steak.
"Well, it seems pretty place. y,
"When you get acquainted you'll find
yourself pleasantly situated; but you'll
have hard time with the boys"
$50 they all tell me. Anyhow, am not
unprepared," d" said Houghton cheerfully.
After supper the landlord remarked con-
fldentially to the doctor "that the young
man had grit in him, and thought he'd be
able to make the rifle with the boys"
- y
When Houghton arose next morning and
opened his window to the fresh breeze, od-
orous with the perfume of the climbing
honeysuc1les, he felt that, after all, resi-
dence in a remote village, even with par
eel of rough boys to take care of, was pref
cradle to the dusty, unfamiliar streets Of
San Francisco. He smiled as he unpacked
his foils and boxing gloves, a little sadly,
too for they were linked with many pleas
ing associations,,of his undergraduate days.
WE'LL" he soliloquized, as he straight
ened his arm and looked at the finely de-
veloped muscles, 81 ought to be able to
hold my own in a stand-up-fght with these
troublesome pupils of mine. This is my
day Of trial, however, and before noon we
shall probably have had our fight out"
The school house, a raw, unfinished look
ing building, stood hard by the river, at
about half mile from town. When Hough-
ton opened the rickety wooden gate that
led into the school lot, he found group of
some twenty boys already assembled.
Among them were Sam Seymour and Ike
Walker. The latter's sister, pretty girl
of sixteen, was leaning against the fence
with half dozen of her friends, for the
Russian Bar school house was arranged for
the accommodation of both sexes.
Houghton handed the key to the nearest
boy, and asked him to open the door. With
look at the others, and half grin on his
face, he obeyed.
"Now, boys, muster in" said Houghton
cheerfully, to the boys.
They all passed in-Seymour and Wal
ker last. The latter took good look at
the schoolmaster as he passed by. When
they were seated Houghton stood at his
desk, and laid heavy rule on the books
before him.
"Now, boys" he said, 81 hope we shall
get along pleasantly together. You treat
me fairly, and you shall have no reason to
complain, promise you. Silence and obe-
dance is what require, and a strict atten-
ton to the matter of our instruction.
Giving them portion Of the grammar
to prepare for recitation, he walked quietly
up and down the room, occasionally stand
ing at the window, but appearing to keep
no surveillance of the boys. Suddenly the
crack of match was heard, followed by
general litter.
Houghton turned quietly from the win
dow, and saw the blue smoke from Gig
arctic arising from where Seymour sat.
"What is your name, boy ?" he asked, in
a stern tone.
"My name is Seymour" replied the mu-
tineer, innocently.
And are you smoking?'
:" / guess so." ta.. s,.......
Leave the room.' .l.
81 guess not" ast s...t
There was dead silence in the school
room now, and Houghton felt that the
hour of trial was at hand. t
"Seymour," he said very quietly.
"What ?" ett 1rt ..sta
"Come here" Iast
Seymour putting his hands in his pock-
cts, sauntered from the desk, and stood
within yard of the schoolmaster, and
looked sneeringly in his face. 1uanl
Leave the room, !" said Houghton again,
in lower voice. hH f
emo" o
The little arm Strengthened like a flash
of lightning, and the rebel measured his
length on the floor, whilst the blood gush-
ed from his nostrils In moment he
sprang to.his feet and rushed furiously at
the schoolmaster, but went down like a
reed before that well-aimed blow. The
second time he fell, Houghton stopped
down and lifting him up as if he had been
a child, fairly flung him outside the door.
Seymour, confused and amazed, staggered
down to the brook to wash his face and re-
dact ON tho xuondarf,,l facoa ~ 4l,ot s1;.hA
arm. And Houghton, turning to the school