The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-09-07


derstood throughout the school that the |
barring out of Master Bangs was to be
accomplished and old scores settled.
The evening before the general en-
gagement, Bill and Bob, our noble lead,
ers, with few confederates, stole back
to the school-house, armed with hickory
poles. Breaking open the door, they
whitfield one end of these tough saplings
to a point, and then hardened the points
in the fire. Then placing these in
corner ready for use, with stout cord,
they gave orders to the boys willing to
take part in the fight to be on hand at
the school-house before daylight next
morning.
At the time indicated nearly all the
lads were in attendance. Some were pale
and trembling, others were noisy and
boastful; but / observed that the real
leaders and reliable soldiers were quiet
so quiet, indeed, that one might doubt
them. "Men are but boys of larger
growth" said Dryden, and that solemn
pomp of poet, Wordsworth, assures us
that "the child is father to the man. "
In the animal propensities and tastes
that survive our boyhood this is I'M
doubtedly true, and many and many
time since, in hours of peril, have re-
enacted the same exhibitions of char
acter that occurred on that cold morning
in December among the boys.
Our first order was to cut and carry in
enough wood to serve the garrison dur
ing siege. This was promptly exc
cuted. Then the window-shutters were
pulled to and securely nailed, the door
closed, and desks and benches piled
against it. After two portfolios were
opened by removing the chinks and
daubing, and gathering about roaring
fire in the huge fireplace, we awaited the
approach of the enemy. AS the time
approached for the masters coming a
dread silence fell upon the little crowd,
30 that when he did come we could hear
his heavy tread upon the crusted snow,
and many heart sunk and face whitened
in terror.
Our leaders sprung 10 their posts on
each side of the door, and, on being or
dered to surrender, boldly demanded
weeks holiday and treat of cider and
apples.
This was sternly refused.
"Fire - cried Bill and Bob, and two
poles were thrust out with all the
strength the stout arms could give them.
They took the indignant pedagogue in
the sides with such force that, but for
thick flannel overcoat, holes might have
been in his wicked body. AS it was, he
staggered back, and for twenty minutes
or more we saw him sitting upon log
catching his breath and rubbing his
wounded sides. Wegave no end of loud
cheers, claiming for ourselves the first
knock down. if not the first blood.
At the end of twenty minutes the mas
ter arose. Digging huge stone from
under the snow, he approached and
threw it with great violence against the
door. The stout oak batting fairly
shook under the blow, but held its own.
Another, and another followed amid
jeers and laughter; encouraged by our
noble leaders to keep up the courage of
their followers. The fourth stone split
the door, and the fifth broke the upper
wooden hinge, and but for the barricade
within the breach would have been
of the defense within, suddenly dropped
the stone and ran in at the door. We
were not to be taken by surprise. Again
were the sharp lances thrust ont. One
hit with decided effect in the commissa-
ry, vulgarly called stomach; the other,
as he stopped doubled by the pain, in
the face, inficting an ugly wound from
which the blood flowed in profession.
He retreated, and we saw him fairly
dance with rage and pain. The move of
this he INDUCED in, the wilder grew our
delight, which we testified 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 80 often felt since, the
unknown movement of silent enemy.
This was ended bya 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 moment our leaders looked puz-
zled. Fortunately, in the excitement of
the conflict, the fire had not been fed,
and now only few embers and chunks
supplied the smoke. These were scat
tered upon the broad hearth, and water
thrown in to extinguish the remainder.
| lutn ILL i1Op, oSiSOolhS VI blIe
stoutest poles, thrust them up the Chin
ney, and, at the word, we gave, to use
our own phrase, "a bloody hist"
The consequences were rafting of
falling boards, with the unmistakable
thump of heavier body upon the
ground. We found afterward that the
master had not only covered the chimney
top with boards, but had seated himself
upon them; the sudden and unexpected
"hist" 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, OPP
posed such a merciful errand.
"He's hollerin' too loud to be hurt
much" said shrewd Bob.
We had division in our council of
war. This ended in a call for volun-
teer to make sortie and investigate. Jack
Loder, one of the most daring and active
among the younger 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 q cessation of grooming. but chase