The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-04-09

hant peoagogue In the sides with
such force that, but for his thick fan.
mel overcoat holes might have been
made in his wicked body. AS i,
was he staggered back, and for TWEEN.
ty minutes or more we saw him sit.
ting upon a log catching his breath
and rubbing his wounded sides. We
gave no end of loud cheers, claiming
for ourselves the first knock down,
if not the first blood.
At the end of twenty minutes the
master arose. Digging a huge
stone from under the snow, he an.
preached and threw it against the
door with great violence. The stout
oak batting fairly shook under the
blow, another, and another followed,
amid jeers and laughter, encourag,
ed by our noble leaders to keep up
the courage of their followers. The
fourth stone split the door, and the
fifth broke the upper hinge, and but
tor the barricade within the breach
would gave been available. The en-
emy, now being aware of the defense
within, suddenly dropped the stone
and ran in at the door. We were
not to be taken by surprise. Again
the sharp lances were thrust out.
One hit with decided effect in the
stomach the other, as he stopped
double by the pain, in the face, in
tlicting an ugly wound, from which
the blood flowed in protusion. He
retreated and we saw him dance with
rage and pain. The more of this he
INDUCED in, the wilder grew our de.
light, which we manifested in
screams of oflaughter.
de soon ended this exhibition and
disappeared around the school-houee
then there was dead silence, and
we recognized that which we have
so often felt since, the unknown
movement ofa silent enemy. This
was ended by noise on 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 moment our leaders looked
puzzled. Fortunately, in the excite
ment of the conflict, the fire had not
been fed, and now only few embers
and chunks supplied the smoke.
These were scattered upon 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.
The conse quence was, rattling of
falling boards. with the unmistaka-
BILE thump of heavy body upon the
ground. We found out afterwards
that the master had not only covered
the chimney top with boards, but
had seated himself upon them the
sudden and unexpected "hist" lad
tumbled him off. We heard dismal
groans and crys of relief from the
enemy.
Some were in favor Of going at
once to his assistance ; others, more
cautious, opposed such merciful
eTrand.
"He's hollerin too loud to be hurt
much" said Bob.
We had a division in our council
of war. This ended in a call for q
volunteer to make a sortie and inves.
tigate. Jack Loder, one Of the most
daring and active among the young
er boys, responded. A shutter on
the opposite side to the cries for help
was opened quickly and Jack thrust
out. The result of this was not only
cessation of groaning, but chase
that we witnessed through the port
holes. Jack was good runner, and
when the two disappeared over the
meadow, into the willow thicket,
Jack was gaining on him, and we
had good hopes of his escape. To
our oismay and horror, in half an hour
we saw the master returning with
poor Jack in his grasp. He had a
hostage, and was swift in his use OF
the advantage. Stopping before the
house, he began whipping the poor
| fellow unmerciful. Jacks cries were
plteous.
ooh, let me in, boys, let me in, he's
killing O. me-" rung in our ears.
There was hurried consultation.
The benches and desks were quietly
removed from the door. A sortie
had been determined on. The mas
ter stood at the side of the house
south of the door, and as soon as the
opening was made, Bill unclosed a
shutter and proposed a parley. The
answer was rush at the open win.
dow by the master, who began to
climb in. Brave little Jack seized
him by the legs, and before he could
kick him off dozen stout lads were
clinging to them, while as many more
held him on the inside. Bill seized
rope and attempted to pass the
moose over his arms. In the hurry
and confusion of the fight he sue
ceeded only in getting it over his
head. Pulling it as the boys did,
there was fair prospect of ending
the labors of this teacher by strangu-
lation. That he deserved it no one
Of US doubted but Bob, having
climbed over the master in the win
dow, and with all the school pulling
at the ends of old Bangs, was mas.
ter Of the situation. Getting hold Of
the rope, and assisted by Bill, he
succeeded in tying the arms of the
almost exhausted man behind him.
He was then tumbled from the win.
dow as unceremoniously as a pig.
"Will youlgive up ?" demanded
our leaders.
"No," gasped the master.
"Then we'll put you down the
well, hanged if we don't !"
The brave old pedagogue still re.
fusing, he was dragged, rolled and
tumbled to the curb.
"Yill you give up, dern you ?"
dem anded Bob.
ono, won't"
He was showed inside the bucket,
and orders given to lower. But the
weight proved too much for the lads,
and the crank of the windlass slip.
ping from their grasp, the learning
of our district went whirling to
the bottom with a laundering noise
BETTING such an exit. This was
more than we bargained for. Had
we really murdered our master
Bob and Bill, assisted by the stout.
est, began pulling up the unfortu-
nate old fellow. 1t was hard work,
and tugginy at the Windlesa they