Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-10-09
Found al Last.
TEACHING SCHOOL IN THE EARLY
TIMES OF CALIFORNIA.

teacher, but it wants more than learnln'
to make man able to teach school in
Cranberry Gulch. \ eu'll soon find
that out if you try. We've had three
who tried it on. One lays there in the
graveyard another lost his eyes and
left; the last one opened school and
left before noontme for the benefit OF
his health. lie hasn't been back since.
Now you're slender build, and all your
learning will only make il worse, tor all
our young folks are roughs, and don't
stand no nonsense!
This was what TIE trustees Of the dis
trict said to my friend Harry Flotee
when he made application for the
vacant position Of teacher.
Let me try. l know | am slender,
but am tough, and have a strong
will, said Harry.
Just as you like! There's the school
house, and I'll have notice gwen II you
want it done,' said the trustee.
i do.' said Harry. AMI I'll open
next Monday at 9 A. NJ
The notice was given, and there wasa
good deal of excitement in the Gu,ch
and along the YuOa flats. More than
fifty young people ofbOth sexes made
an excuse TO drop into the tavern to get
A sight at the fellow who thought he
could keep school in that district, and
many contemptuous glance fell or the
slender form and youthful face Of the
would-be teacher.
Eight o'clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotee went down to
the school-house with key IN one hand
and a vallse in the other.
Ready to slope if he finds we're too
much for him. said a cross-eyed. broad
shouldered fellow of eighteen. The
school-house was unlocked, and the
teacher went to the desk. Some ofthe
young folks went in to see what he was
going to do. though school was not
called.
Harry opend his valise and took out
a large belt. Then, after. bdckllns it
around his waist, he put three Colps
navy reyolvers there, each OF six barrels
and a bowie knife eighteen inches in
blade.
Thunder! He means business NUT
tered the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out
square card about four inches each way,
walked to the other end Of the school
house, and tackled 1t up against the wall
Returning to his desk he drewa revol-
yer from his belt, and quick as thought
sent ball after ball into the card,
till there were six balls in spot not
much larger than a silver dollar.
By this time the school-house was
half iull oflarge boys and girls. The
little ones were afraid to come in.
Then the teacher walked half way
down the room with the bowie.kniie in
his hand, and threw it with so true
hand that it stuck quivering in the very
center ofthe card.
He left it there, and put two more
knives of the same kind in his belt, and
quietly reloaded his yet smoking pistol.
Ring the bell; am about to open
school,.
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy, the
bully of the crowd, and the boy. rung
the bell without word.
The scholars will take their seats;
open school with prayer he said
sternly, five minutes later. ~
The scholars sat down, silent, almost
breathless.
After the prayer the teacher cooked a
revolver and walked down on the floor.
We will arrange the classes, he said.
All who can read, write, and spell vii
rise. OF them we will form the first
class
Only six got up. He escorted them
10 upper seats. And then he began to
examine the rest. A whispe: was
heard behind HIM. In second ne
wheeled, revolver in hand.
No whispering allowed here! ne
numbered; and for an instant his re-
yolver lay on level with the cross
eyed boys head.
I'll not do so any more gasped the
bully.
See you do not. l never give a Sec
ond warning said the teacher. and the
revolver fell.
1t took two hours to organize the
classes. but when done they were we'll
organized. Then came recess. Ihe
teacher went out, too, for the room was
crowded and hot. A hawk was clrcllng
overhead high in the air. The teacher
drew revolver, and the next second
the hawk came tumbling down among
the wodcring 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 we'll as
to respect him, and the revolvers went
out of sight within a month.
They had found a man at last who
could keep school. This is fact.