Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-01-09

out. One hit with decided effect In the
coinmissary vulgarly called stomach.
+, the other, as be stood doubled by pain,
| in the face, inflicted an angry wound.
from which blood flowed in prOfus-
| ion. lie retreated. and we fairly saw
him dance with rage and pain. The
more OF this he INDUCED in, the Wild
er grew our delight, which we testi.
fed in screams of laughter.
He soon ended this exhibition and
disappeared around the school house,
evidently on reconnaissance. There
was dead silence, and we realized
that which we have 90 often felt since,
the unknown movement of silent en-
envy. This was ended by q noise upon
the roof and soon volumes of smoke
pouring into the room told US that
strategy had taken the place of assault
We were to be smoked out.
For a moment our leaders looked
puzzled. Fortunately IN tho excite
nent of the conflict the fire had not
been fed, and now only a few embers
and chunks supplied the smoke.
These were scattered ON the broad
hearth, and water thrown in to extin-
guish the remainder. Then Bill and
Bob, selecting four of the stoutest
poles, thrust them up the chimney, and
at the word we gave, to use our own
phrase, 80 bloody hist"
The consequences were rafting Of
falling Of boards, with the unmistaka-
BILE thump Of heavier body on the
ground. We found afterwards that
the master had not only covered the
chimney top with boards, but had
seated himself upon them the sudden
and unexpected 'shist" had tumbled
him off. We heard dismal groans and
| cries for relief from the enemy.
Some were in favor Of going at once
to his assistance; others more cautious
opposed such . merciful errand.
"He's hollerin' too loud TO be hurt
niuch," said shrewd Bob.
| We had y division In our council OF
war. This ended IN o claim for vol
| untecr TO make sortie and investi-
gate. Jack Loder, one of the most &C.
tive among the younger boys respond.
ed. A shutter on the opposite side
to the cries for help was opened and
Jack thrust out. The result OF this
was not only q cessation Of groaning,
l
the port holes. Jack was a good run
ner, and when the two disappeared
over the meadow into the willow
thickst, Jack was gaining on him, and
We had good hopes of his escape. To
our dismay and horror, In half an hour
| We saw the master returning with
poor Jack In his grasp. He had hos
| tage and was swift In his use of the
advantage. Stopping before the house
he began whipping the poor fellow an-
mercifully Jacks cries were piteous.
..Oh, let him In, boys, let him In,
he's KILN o me- rnng In our cars.
| There WAS a hurried consultation.
The benches were removed from the
door. A sortie had been determined
on. The master stood at the side Of
the house south Of the door, and as
soon as the opening was made. Bill
Enclosed shutter and proposed a par
ley. The answer was rush at the
open window by the master, who be-
gan climbing in. Brave little Jack
seized him by the legs. and before he
could kick him on, . dozen stout lads
were clinging to them, while as many
more held him on the inside. Bill!
seized the rope and attempted 10 pass
the Moose over his arms. In the hurry
and confusion of the fight he succeed-
ed in getting 1t over his head. Pulling
It as tho boys did, there was 4 fnir
prospect Of ending the useful labors
Of tho teacher by strsngulation. That
be deserved it no one Of us doubted :
but Bob having climbed over the mas.
ter in the window, and with all the
school pulling at the ends OF old
| Bangs, was soon master OF the situa-
ton. Getting hold Of tho rope, and as
sisted by Bill, he succeeded in tying
the arms of the almost exhausted man
to his sides. He was then tumbled
from the window as uneeremoniously
as a pig.
"Wili you give up7" demanded our
leaders,, a-
'No," gasped the master.
"Then we'll put You down the well,
hanged il we don't"
The brave old pedagogue still refus.
ing, he was dragged, rolled and tum-
bled to the well curb.
"Wiil you give up, darn your" de-
manded Bob.
ANo, / WON'T" s
He was sshoved inside the bucket and
orders given to lower. But the weight
proved too much for the lads. and the
crank OF the windlass slipped from
their grasp and the learning Of our
district school went whirling to the
bottom with Q laundering noise befit.
ting such an exit. This was more
than he bargaincd for. Had we really
murdered the masterf Bob and Bill,
assisted by the stoutest began pulling
up the unfortunate old fellow. It was
hard work tugging ct the windlass !;
they lust caught . glimpse of his
blonde head when the cry Of sire I"
caused them to let 60, and again the
venerable Bangs ratified down with a
splash in tho water.
The school house was on fire the
chunks rolled out by the boys had
communicated to the fi0or. aud the dry
old concern was in haze. A few
neighbors who just then arrived gave
the alarm and attempted TO cxtinguish
the flames. To do this they called for
water, and the fret bucket brought nm
contained the vanquished teacher Of
reading, writing and arithmetic. He
came up with HE teeth chatterinQ. and
when lifted out and united was too
weak to stand or sit
The school house burned down.
The master was carried to neiphbor,s
house, and for weeks hung between
life and death. We were regarded IA
heroes by the country side, and in the
burning of our place OF torture and the
sickness Of the master, we were the
hsppiest set OF little animals in the
l world
! lis a long time, am sorry to say
since then, and most of the actors in
the drama have passed away. Bob,
one Of our gallant leaders, Is now d
well to do farmer in Illinois; while
Bin fell in the bloody fight at Stone
River.
The special committee appointed 10
consider the question Of the compulso.
ry vote In France has prepared report
on the subject. The main results at
! which IL has arrived are summarized
by the Constitutional 1t il suggested
that every elector who shall, without
sufficient cause, abstain from exercis-