River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-12-12
The Man Who Knew How to Keep
School.

San Francisco Chronicle.
sinister, no doubt you have ali the
learnin' that's required in a school teach
er, but it wants mole than learnin' TO
make man able to teach school in Gran
berry Gulch. You'll soon find that cut
if you try. We've had three who tried ii
on. One lays there in the grave. yard
another lost his eye and left; the last one
opened school and left before noontime
for the benefit of his health. He HASN'T
been back since. Now you're slender
build, and all your learnin' will cn!y
make it worse, for all our young folks
are rough and don't stand no nonsense !"
This was what one OF the trusteea of
the district said to my friend Harry
Flotee, when he made application for the
vacant position of teacher.
"I4et me try. / know ] am slender,
but am tough and have strong WILL
said Harry.
Just as you ike. There's the school
house, and I'll have notice given if YOU
want it DONE" said the trustee.
Il do,n said Harry; "and I'll open
next Monday st nine A. NJ.
good deal of excitement ia the Gulch
and along Gle Yuba fats. More than
| fifty people If both sexes made an excuse
| 10 drop into the tavern to get a sight at
the fellow who thought he could keep
school in that district, and many con
| temptuous glance fell on the slender
| form end youthful face of the would-be
teacher.
Eight o'clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotee went down 10 the
school house with a key in one hand and
a Yalise in the other.
sReady to slope if he finds we're Too
much for him." said 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 in to see what ht
was gciRg to do, thogh school was not
/ called.
Harry opened his yalise and took out a
large belt. lien, after buck ling it around
his waist, he put three Colts navy revolv.
ers there, each Of six barrels, and bowie
knife eighteen inces in the blade
"Thunderl he means businessw nut
tered the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out a square
card about four inches each way, walked
to the other end OF the school-house anc
tackled il up against the wall. RETURNING
10 his desk, he drew a revolver from hi!
| belt, and quick as thought sent ball aftel
ball INTO the cad, till there were six bali
in spot not much larger than aiivei
dollar.
BY this time the school house was hal
full Of large boys and girls. The llitit
ones were afraid TO come in
Then the teacher walked hali way down
the room with the bowie knife In hi
hand. and threw it with SO true a han(
that it struck quigering IN the very cente
of the card.
He left it there and nut two NOR,
knives Of the same kind in his belt aBJ
quickly reloaded his yer smoking pistol
"Ring the bel am about TO oper
school"
He spoke to the cross eyed boy thu
bully If the crowd, and the boy rang thu
bell without q wcrd.
The scholars will take their seats;
open school with prayer" he said stefnly
Eve minutes later.
The scholars sat down silent, alfaos
bIeathIess.
After the prayer the teacher cockVd I
revolver and walked down on the Door
1--WE will arrange the Classes" he said
'sal who can read write ana spell vii
rise OF them we will form the Girs;
class"
Only six got up He escorted them C
upper seats, and then lie began to exam
inc the rest. A whisper was heard be
hind him. In a second he wheeled, re-
yolver in hand.
No whispering allowed heler' he
Numbered, aud Tor an instant his rtvol.
yer lay on level with thl cross-,yco
boys head.
I'm not do so any more, gasped the
bully.
'See you do not. never give acc
ond warning" said the teacher, and the
revolver fell.
1t took two hours to organize the
classes, but when done, they we're well
organized Then came recess. The
teacher went out too, for the room was
crowded and hot. A hawk was circting
high in the air. The teacher drew a. 10
volver and the next second the hawk
came tumbling down among the woniaer.
ing scholars.
From that day on Harry Kept school
for two years in Cranberry Gulch, his
salary doubled after the first quarter, and
his pupils learned to love as well as to
respect him, and the revolver went out of
sight within month.
They had found man at last who
could keen school.