The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-10-26
FoUyD AT lash.
How Harry Elotss Got tie sehOel u
Cranberry Caleb. Ii

San Fnneileo cbonIeIs.
mister, no doubt you have alithslearn-
In that's required IN = school teacher, but
It wants more than lsarnin' TO make man
able to teach. school in Cranberry Gulch.
You'll soon find that out II you Try.
We've had three who tried It on. One
lays there in the graveyard; another lost
his eye and left before noontime for the
benefi. of his health. he hasn't been back
since. Now you're q slender build, and
all your learnin' will only make it worse,
for all young folks are rough and don't
stand no nonsense"
This was what one OF the trustees Of the
district said to my friend Harry Flotee,
when he made application for the vacant
position Of teacher. iil
'Let me try. know am slender, but
l am tough, and have q strong will"
said Harry.
tJest as you like. There's the school
house, and I'll have notice given II you
want II done,r said the trustee.
II do" said Harry: and Ill open next
Monday at 0 \. ""
The notice was given and there was
good deal OF excitement in the gulch and
along the Yuba Flats. More than fifty
young people OF both sexes made an ex-
cuse to drop into the tavern to get q
sight at the fellow who thought he could
keep school in that district, and many
contemptuous glance fell on the slender
form and youthful face of the would-be-
teacher. -.a4-,
Eight o'clock on Monday morning came,
and Harry Flotee went down TO the school
house with key in one hand and valise
Ready to slope il he finds we're too
much for him. said cross-eyed, broad
shoulder 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 he
was going to do, though school was not
called.
Harry opened his valise and took out
large belt. Then, after buckling it around
his waist, he put three Colts navy reyoly-
ems there, each OF six barrels, and q bowie
knife eighteen inches in the blade.
Thunder! He means business" NUT
tered the cross.eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out q square
card about four inches each way, walked
to the other end OF the school house and
tackled it up against the wall. Returning
to his desk, he drew revolver from his
belt, and quick rs thought sent hall alter
ball into the card, till there were six balls
in a spot not much larger than silver
dollar. :.
By this time the school house was half
full OF large boys and girls. The little
ones were afraid to come in.
Then the teacher walked half way down
the room with the bowie knife in his hand,
and threw 1t with so true hand that it
stuck quivering in the very center otthe
card.
He left it there and put two more knives
OF the same kind in his belt and quickly
reloaded his yet smoking pistol.
"Ring the bell; l am about to open
school.
He spoke TO the cross.eyed boy the bul.
~ of the or ovid, and the boy rang the bell
without word. Il
''The scholars viii take their seats; |
open school with prayer" he said sternly,
Ave minutes later.
The scholars sat down, silent, almost
breathless.
After the prayer the teacher cooked
revolver and walked down on the floor.
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 exam.
Inc the rest. Awhisper was heard behind
him. In . second he wheeled, revolver
in hand.
"No whispering allowed here" he
Numbered, and for an instant his revolver
lay on level with the cross-eyed boys
head.
SI'll not do so any more" gasped the
See you do not. Inever give second
warning" said the teacher, and the revolt
yer fell.
It took two hours to organize the classes,
but when done they were well organized.
Then came recess. The teacher went out,
too, for the room was crowded and hot.
A hawk was circlfng overhead, high in
the air. The teacher drew q revolver,
and the next second the hawk came
tumbliug down among the wondering
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 re. !
spect him. and the revolVers went dut OF
sight within month.
They had found man at last who could
keep school. This is tact. l