The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-02-19


who, with his medical avocatons, also
found time to "run" the pestoffice.
The doctors wife was Mt her win
dow, and after long survey of the
schoolmaster, FASTENED to communi-
cate her opinions to Mrs. Blunt. Mean
while Houghton washed off the red
dust of the road, and took his seat at
the supper table. The driver had in
troduced him to about dozen Of the
leading citizens during the few min
utes that intervened between their ar
rival and the evening meal.
"How do you like our town, Mr..
Houghton?" asked the landlord, gra
ciously, as be helped his new guest to
cut of steak.
"Well, it seems pretty place"
"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, I
am not unprepared," said Houghton
cheerfully.
After supper the landlord remarked
contidentially 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"
When Houghton arose next morn
ing, and opened his window to the
fresh breeze, odorous with the perfume
Of the climbing honeysuckles, he felt
that, after all, residence in remote
village, even with a parcel of rough
boys to take care of, was preferable to
the dusty, unfamiliar streets of San
Francisco. He smiled as he unpack-
ed his foils and boxing gloves, little,
sadly, too, for they were linked with
many pleasing associations Of his un.
der. graduate days.
"Well," he soliIo9uised, as he
Strengthened his arm and looked at
the firmly developed muscles, Il ought
to be able to hold my own in stand
up fight with these troublesome pupils
Of mine. This is my day of trial,
however, and before noon we shall
probably have had our battle out"
The school house, a raw, unfinished
looking frame building, stood hard by
the river at about half a mile from
town. When Houghton opened the
rickesy wooden gate that led into the
school lot, he found group of some
twenty boys already assembled. Among
them were Ike Walker and Sam Sey-
mour. The latters sister q 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, aud asked him to open
the door. With lock at the others,
and a half grin he obeyed.
"Now, boys, muster in, said Hough
. ton, cheerfully, to the boys.
They all passed in-Seymour and
Walker last. The latter took good
look at the schoolmaster as he went
by. When they were seated, Hough
3 ton stood at his lesk and laid heavy
ruler on the books before him.
d u "Now, boys" he said, 81 hope We
= shall get along pleasantly together
You treat me fairly and you shal
have no reason to complain, prom
Use you. Silence and obedience il
what l require, and strict attention
. to the matter Of our instruction"
Giving them a portion of the gram
u mer to prepare for recitation, h
: walked up and down the room, occa
u sionally rtanding at the windows, bu
appearing to keep no surveillance el
the boys. Suddenly the crack of
J match was heard, followed by q gen
eral litter.
i Houghton turned quietly from tn
:. window, and saw blue smoke from
cigarette arising from where Sey
~ mour sat.
"What is your name, boy" he ask
le cd in stern tons.
"My name is Seymour" replied tn
If mutineer, insolently.
"And you are smoking Z"
Il 81 guess SO"
Leave the ROOM"
Sc 81 guess moi"
n There was a dead silence in III
of school room nov, and Houghton fe
that the hour of trial was at hand"
ii Seymour" he said very quietly.
H. "What?"
a. "Come here"
ir Seymour, putting his hands in h
packets, sauntered from his desk, stoo
)" within a yard Of the schoolmaste
and looked sneeringly in his face.
r. Leave the room" said Honghto
l." again in lower voice.
at "No."
lg The little arm straightened like
OF flash of lightning, and the rebel me
he eurad his Ian0th on the floor wh ilst ri