The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-11-12
He Kept School.


iarnin' that's required in . school
TEACHER. But it wants m.re than larn-
in to make chap able to keep school
In Cranberry Gulch. You'll soon find
that out if you try We've had three
who tried it on. One lays there in the
graveyard; another one lost an eve and
left; the last one opened school and |, Il
before noon for the good of his health.
de hasn't been back since. Now. you re
Ut slender build, and all your larning'
will only make it the worse, for our
young folks are rough, and don't stand
no nonsense "
This was what the trustee said TO INV
friend Harry Flotee, when he maie ap.
plication for the vacant position Of
teacher.
Let me try. know am slender,
but l am tough. aud l have strong
will - said Harry.
Jest as you like }! There's the school
house. and I'll have notice given If You
want it done" said the trustee.
Il do said Harry. And I'll open
next Monday. at 9 NJ.
The notice WAS given. and there was
good deal Of excitement in the gulch
and all along the Yuba fats. More
than fifty young people of both sexes
made excuses to drop into the tavern to
get sight of the fellow who thought
be could keep school in that district,
and many contemptuous glance fell
on the slender form and youthful face
of the would. .be-teacher.
Eight O'Clock Monday morning c.me
and Harry Flotee went down TO the
school-house with the key in one hand
and vslise in the other.
"All ready to slope if be finds we're
too much for him !" said q cross eyed,
broad-shouldered fellow of eighteen.
The school-house was unlocked and
the new teacher went to the desk.
Some Of the young folks went to see
what he was going to do, though
school was not called.
Harry opened his valise and took out
a large belt. Then, after buckllng it
around his waist. he put three Colts
navy reyolvers there. each of six bar
rels, and bowie-knife eighteen inches
in the blade.
Thunder He means business :"
muttered the cross-esed chap.
The new teacher now took out Q
square card, and about four inches
each way. walked to the other end of
the school house and tackled it up
against the ceiling. Returning to his
desk. he drew revolver from his belt,
and quick as thought sent ball after
ball into the card, till there were six
holes in spot not much larger than Q
silver dollar.
BY this time the school house was
half full of large boys and girls. The
little ones were afraid to como in.
Then the teacher walked halfway
down the room with the bowie knife
in his hand, and threw it with 20 true
a hand that it struck quivering into
the very center Of the card.
He left it there. and put two more
knives Of the same kind into bis belt.
and quietly reloaded his yet smoking
revolver
"Rine the bell! am about to open
school p
He spoke to the cross eyed boy, the
bully Of the crowd. and that boy rung
the bell without word.
THE scholars will take their seats, I
open school with prayer" he said,
sternly. five minutes later.
The scholars sat down. silent, almost
breathless.
After the prayer the teacher cooked
l. yaA Il he
1--WE will arrange the classes" he
said, "All who can read, write and
spell, will rise. OF them we will form
the first class"
Only six got up He escorted them to
upper seats And then he began to ex-
anime the rest. A whisper Was heard
behind him. In second he wheeled,
revolver in hand.
"No whispering allowed here!" he
and for an instant his revol-
YER lay on level with the cross-eyed
bows head.
an not do so any more" gasped the
bully.
"See you do not never give sec
ond warming" said the teacher. and the
revolver fell.
1t took two hours to organize the
class.s, bat when done they were well
organized. Then came recess. The
teacher went out. tho. for the room was
crowded and hot. A hawk was circling
high in the air. The teacher
drew revolver and the next second
that hawk came tumbling down among
the wondering scholars.
From that day on Harry kept school
for two years in Cranberry Gulch. his
salxry doubled after the frst quarter.
And his pupils learned to love ~ well
as respect him. snd the revolvers went
out Of sight inside q month.
They had found man ut last who
kA,~. Tyss - fat