Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-06-29
A PIucky SchOslmaster.

century ago, will doubtless remember a
certain young school master (whom we
will call L.,) who, in that age OF wooden
benches and black birch, had achieved a
most brilliant reputation as a teacher of
"hard schools" If there had been a Gold
smith among them, no doubt "the village
school master" might have found an ideal
| in the person Of a teacher, now an old
franklin county postmaster. Mr.. L. Is
now past three score and ten, but his eye
still retains the fire which fifty years ago
sent terror TO the hearts of naughty urch-
ins and vicious swains. In those days
excepting school" meant something be-
sides object teaching, with discipline en-
forced by the fear of expulsion or suspen-
sion. The pedsgogues stood par excellence,
in loco PARENTS, and the teacher whom the
big boys by = combined attack could put
out doors, was considered, especially in the
country towns, most inefficient person.
Muscular Christianity was at premium
and cowhiding, under proper circum-
stances, might be said to have been con-
sdered means of grace. Such was tbe
tone OF public sentiment when the young
school master whom we have mentioned,
just returning TO his home in the edge of
Hampshire county, from term of winter
work, found an urgent summons awaiting
him from the school committee of South
Hadley. He might make his own terms,
they told him, he might do just as little
work as he pleased, in fact lie might do
just what pleased him in every respect, If
I'm xrnitlh nnlV ell in thp gphnpl and
keep" the school for a couple Of months.
The school was hard one; two teachers
had already been driven away, some of the
older boys taking them out doors and duck
ing them in the snow within week from
the time they began, and 10 tell the truth,
l.. didn't care to undertake the job, so he
sci his price at $40 month and his board,
a fabulous price for district school teacher
in those days. Contrary TO his expecia-
iious :he committee accepted his terms,
and the next day he took his place in the
school. The big boys were elated at the
thought Of a speedy transpostion of the
STRIPPING before them from the school room
to the snow drift outside The door. During
the morning the boys had pretty much
their own way, whispering and talking
| aloud, throwing paper wads, and, in fact,
indulging in the usual diversions of coun-
try school boys, without let or hindrance.
L. tried TO hear one or two classes, but
found it a difficult task, and remarked ra-
ther languidly that he thought they made
"a good deal of noise" AT noon he looked
at his watch and said carelessly, that be
guessed they would stop little while, and
without waiting to dismiss the school,
| picked up his hat and walked out. Before
| going back to school in the afternoon, L.
provided himself with a good rawhide Of
the most approved stage Of greenness, and,
upon entering the school room, slealthily
slipped it from under his coat into his desk
When be had called the school together be
told them sternly, that thereafter the school
was for work, and that he wanted it dis
tinctly understood that there was to be no
communication of any kind, no noise and
no leaving of seats without leave. He i'm
mediately called out a class, but no sooner
had they begun TO recite than there arose a
most unearthly din. He repeated what he
had just said and added, "Any scholar that
has any communication with another With
bul itdNt, VI lndhtS unnecessary
will be punished. l mean what 1 say"
Again be began his recitation, when three
of the largest and ugliest boys who occu-
pied the same bench put their heads togeth-
er and began TO whisper and talk in the
most insulting manner. Drawing his raw
hide from his desk, the young school mas
ter started for that back seat with fire in
his eye that meant business, and seizing
the first sinner by the collar, dragged him
into the middle Of the floor. OF course he
hung to the benches and resisted the teach
er with all his might, but LIS grit was up,
aud amer he had strapped the rascal well,
lie performed the same program with num-
Der Two till he begged for mercy. Then he
dragged out the third trembling wretch
and thrashed him ad libitum. During the
whole performance he had not spoken a
word, but now he said again, 1.-THE next
| scholar that has any communication with
another without leave, or makes any un-
necessary noise will be punished. mean
ChGt I say" But no one spoke or stirred,
and for the remainder Of the day the school
room was as still as a chamber of death.
Perhaps ii would be unnecessary TO add
that this episode was followed by two
months Of school as pleasant and as protita-
BILE as ever fell to the lot of a country dis
trict school, aud doubtless there are those
living to-day among our readers who can
testify to the fact.
A few years ago two men called on Mr..
L., now an old man, on some matter of
business one sat in the carriage while the
other conversed with Mr.. L. At last the
latter said to Mr.. L., "Do you know that
man in the carriage?" "No," said he, 81
don't know as 1 ever saw him." "Well,
he knows you" was the reply; "he says
that you once gave him the d-d-st lick
ing he ever had, and that he'll never forget
| 1t or you."-SprinGfeId Union.