Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-01-03

| | suppose this IL the flrst gllNPse OF
Russian Barr he added, as a turn in the
road brought them in view of that pic
turesque village.
The stage bowled along the smooth
road, and past the great white oak, I'M
der whose friendly branches the teamsters
we're accustomed to make their noontlnio
halt.
"I'll set you down at the hotel" said
the driver. There's Perkins, the pro-
pretor-that fat man smoking on the
stoop." . bsa
Ioughton confessed TO himself That
the prospect before him was anything
but prepossessing one. He was not of
very combativc nature, though he llk-
ed little danger for the excitement,
but a game of fsticutf with a dirty, mutt
nous boy had neither glory nor honor for
man that had been one of tho hardest
hittcrs in his college.
The folks were all at their doors when
the stage clattcred up the single street,
and the slender, good looking young man.
by the driver was measured and canvass
ed before that worthy had passed the mail
to the doctor, who. with his medical
avocatons, also found time to "run" the
postohcc
The doctors wife was at the window,
and after a long survey of the school
master, lastcned to communicate her
opinion to Mrs. Blunt. Meanwhile
Iloughton washed off the red dust of the
road, and took his seat at the supper
table. The driver had introduced him
to about a dozen of the leading citizens
during the few minutes that elapsed be-
tween the arrival and the evening meal.
How do you like our town, Mr.
Houghton asked thelandlord, gracious
lily, as he helped his new guest to cut
of steak.
"Wcll, itlseems pretty place.' Z,
When you get acquainted you'll finH
yourself pleasantly situated; but you'll
have a hard time with the boys"
$50 they all tell me. Anyhow, |
am not unpreparcd,' said lloughton.
cheerfuly.
After supper the landlord remarked
conlidcntially 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 morning
and opened his window to the fresh
breeze, odorous with the perfume of the
climbing honeysuekles, he felt that, af-
ter all. a residence in remote village
even with a parcel of rough boys to take
care of, was preferable to the dusty, I'M
familiar streets of San francisco. He
smiled as he unpackcd his foils and box
ing-gloyes. q little sadly, too for, they
were linked with many pleasing associa-
tions of his undergraduate days.
:" Well" he soliloquized, as he straight
encd his arms and looked at the finely
developed muscles, " 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, q raw unfinished
looking frame building, stood hard by
the river at about half u mile from the
town. When Houghton opened the rick
city wooden gate that led into the school
lot, he found group Of some twenty
boys already assembled. Among them
we're Ike Seymour and Sam Walker. -
The lattcr's sister pretty girl ofsix-
teen--was leaning against the fence with
a half a dozen of her friends, for the
Russian Bar school house was arranged
for the accommodation Of both sexes.
Houghton handed the key to the near
est boy, and asked him to open the door.
With look at the others and grin on
his face, he oboyed.
+" Now, boys, muster in" said Hough-
ton, chccrfully, TO tho 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, Houghton stood
at his desk, and laid heavy ruler on the
books before him.
"Now, boys, he said, | hope we shall
get along pleasantly together. You
treat me fairly and you shall have no
cause to complain, / promise you. ST.
lencc and obedience is what ! require,
and a strict attention to the matter of
our instruction.
Giving them portion of the grammar
to prepare for recitation, he walked
quietly mp and down the room, OCCASION
ally standing at the windows, but APP
pearing to keep no surveillance on the
boys. Suddenly the crack Of n match
was heard, followed by general litter.
Houghton turned quietly from the
window, and saw the smoke from a cigari-
to arising from where Seymour sat.
What is your name, boyY' he asked
in stern tone.
"My name is Seymour" replied the
mutineer, insolently.
And you are smoking"
:" guess So"
!" Leave the room"
There was a dead silence 10 the school
room now, and Houglton felt that the
hour Of trial was at hand.
Seymour" he said, very quietly.
"WhatY
"Come here"
Seymour, putting his hand in bis pock-
cts, sauhtered from his desk. stood With
in yard Of the schoolmaster, and looked
sneeringly in his face
Leave the ROOM" said Houghton,
again, in lower voice.
No"
The little arm Strengthened like flash
n q I - L