Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-03-05

pose TINS is the nrst glimpse OF Russian
| Bar" he added as n turn in the road
brought them in view of that picturesque
village.
The stage bowled along the smooth
road and past the great white oak under
whose friendly branches the teamsters
were accustomed to make their noontime
halt.
"I'll set you down at the hotel" said
tie driver. There's Perkins, the pro-
| prietor; that fat man smoking on the
stOop,"
Houhgton confessed 10 himself that the
prospect before him was anything but a
| prepossessing one. He was not of very
combativc nature, though he liked little
| danger for the excitement, but a game Of
tisticutf with a dirty, mutinous boy had
| neither glory nor honor for man that
| had been one of the hardest hitters in his
| college.
The folks were all at their doors when
! the stage clattered up the single street
| and the slender, good-looking young man
! by the driver was measured and canvassed
before that worthy had passed the mail
to the doctor, who. with his medical voca-
ton, also found time to run the Post
office
,
and after long survey of the schoolmas-
ter fastened to communicate her opin-
ions to Mrs. Blunt Meanwhile Hough-
ton 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 interviewed between their
arrival and their evening meal
m
Houghton ?" asked the landlord, gracious
ly, as he helped his new guest to a cut of
steak.
"Well, it seems a 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, cheer
fully.
After supper the landlord remarked
confidentialy to the doctor chat 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
clambering honeysuckles, he felt that after
all residence in a remote village, even
with parcel OF rough boys to take care
of, was preferable to the dusty, unfamil-
lar streets of San Francisco. He smiled
as he unpacked his foils and boxing
gloves, little sadly too, for they were
linked with many pleasing associations
of his under graduate days.
"Well, he soliloquiZed, as he straight
ened his arm and looked at the fnely-de
veloped muscles, 81 ought to be able to
hold my own in a stand-up fight with
these troublesome pupils of mine. This
is my day of trial, however, and before
noon we shall probably have had one bat
tie OUT
The schoolhouse, raw, unfinished
looking frame building, stood hard by the
river, about half mile from the town.
When Houghton opened the rickety
wooden gate that led into the school lot,
he found group Of some twenty boys
already assembled, Among them were
Ike Seymour and Sam Walker. The lat
ter's sister, pretty girl of sixteen, was
leaning against the fence with half a
dozen of her friends, for the Russian Bar
schoolhouse was arranged for the accom-
mediation of both sexes.
Houghton handed the key to the near
est boy and asked him to open the door.
With a look at the others, and a half grin
on his face, he obeyed.
"Now, boys, muster in," said Ho ugh
ton, cheerfully, to the boys.
They all passed in-Seymour and
Walker last The latter took good look
at the schooimaster as he went by. When
they were seated, Houghton stood at his
desk and laid heavy ruler on the books
which were 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
obedience are what require, and strict
attention to the matter of our instruc
ton"
Giving them a portion of the grammar
to prepare for recitation, he walked quiet
ly up and down the room, occasionally
standing at the windows, but appearing
to keep no surveillance on the boys. Sud
denly the crack of a match was heard,
followed by a general litter.
Houghton turned quietly from the
window, sand aw the blue smoke from a
cigarito arising from where Seymour sat.
What is your name, boy" he asked,
in stern tone.
my name is Seymour" replied the
mutineer, insolently.
Are you smoking?"
Il guess 500
Leave the roomm
81 guess not"
There was dead silence in the school
room now, and Houghton felt that the hour
of trial had come.
seymour" he said again, very quiet
ly.
"What ?"
"Come here"
Seymour, putting his hands in his peck
u L L.. L. Il. IL = Il. =.