Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-03-05

desk and laid heavy ruler on the books
which were before him.
"Now, boys" he said, II 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 a strict
attention to the matter of our instruc-
ton"
Giving them 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 match was heard,
followed by 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 a stern tone.
"My name is Seymour" replied the
mutineer, insolently.
Are you smOking~
II guess So"
"Leave the roOmw
az 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
~ ~what ,"
"COme here"
Seymour, putting his hands in his peck
cts, sauntered from his desk, stood within
a yard of the schoolmaster, and looked
sneeringly into his face.
"Leave the room, said Houghton again,
in a lower voice.
"No."
The 1.-THE arm Strengthened like a fash
of lightning, and the rebel measured his
| length on the floor, while the blood gush-
| ed from his nOstrils. In a moment he
| sprang to his feet and rushed furiously at
the schOOlmaster, but went down again
| like a reed before that well-aimed blow.
The second timehe fell, Houghton stopped
down and, lifting him as if he had been a
child, fairly flung him outside the door.
| Seymour, confused and amazed, staggered
| down to the brook to wash his face and
reflect on the wonderful force of that
slight arm. And Houghton, turning to
| the school without a word of comment on
| the scene, commenced the recitation.
| Walker was mum. Seymour's face had
appalled, him, and, in fact, the entire mu-
| tinous spirit of the scholars of Russian
Bar was in fair way of being totally sub
dued.
When the Trustees heard Of the affair,
| they unanimously commended the school
masters pluck
Il tell you what, boys" said Perkins to
| a crowd who were earnestly engaged al a
game of old sledge in his bar-room, "that
HOughton knows thing or two about
managing boys. He'll fix 'em off, or my
names not Perkins"
Houghton was Hospitality treated by
the folks at Russian Bar They felt him
to be a man of refinement, but brought
down in the world, but showing no often
sive superiority in his intercourse with
them. The doctors wife pronounced
him to be the best New Yorker she had
ever met, and the gossips insinuated that
Mrs. Blunt, the widow, was setting her
cap for him. Seymour and Walker
were the best and most industrious pupils
the young master had and were happy
when accompanying him on his fishing
excursions In fact they all agreed in de-
elaring that the educational department
in the village was a thriving success.
Gypsey Lane, the daughter of leading
man in Russian Bar, and made wealthy
by a saw mill, which all day long groaned
and screamed some distance down the
river, did not express her opinion as to
HOughton's merits, but in the summer
evenings when the schoOlmaster, rod IN
hand, wandered along the stream and
threw his line across the mill-dam, Gyp-
sey was seldom far away. Lane, blutt,
hearty old fellow, frequently asked
Houghton to spend the evening with
him, and told his adventures in early Cal
ifornia to patient listener, while Gypsey
dutifUlly mended her fathers socks on
the verandah
Mrs. Lane, when Gypsey was but a
baby, was laid to rest in Lone Mountain,
long before Lane ever thought OF settling
at Russian Bar.
One pleasant evening in June Gypsey
Lane, twirling her straw hat, thoughttully
picked her way across the broad field that
lay between her house and the mill. The
stream was winding one, and as she
placed her tiny foot on the first stepping
stone she saw straw hat on the grass
which she knew well.
GLOW is Miss Lane this evenings" said
Houghton, lazily, from beneath Man
Zanlta bush, where he had been enjoying
a book and pipe.
''Well, thank you. How is Mr.. Hough-
ton ~ replied Gypsey, shyly.
warm, but not uncomfortable. Are
you going to the mill?"
Eyes, l have letter that just came for
father"
MAY | accompany your"
Certainly, if you choose"
Houghton put on his hat and helped
Gypsey across the brook.