Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-11-29
The Man Who Knew How to Teach
School.

teacher. but it wants more than learnin
to make man able to teach 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 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
a slender build, and all your learnin
will only make it worse, for all our
young folks are roughs 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.
Let me try. ! know | am slender
but l am tough, and | have a strong
will, said Harry.
Just as you like. There's the school
house, and I'll have notice given if you
want it done, said the trustee.
| do, said Harry; ''and will open
next Monday, at 9 A. NJ"
The notice was given, and there was a
good deal of excitement in the Gulch
and along the Yuba flats. More than
fifty people of both sexes made an ex-
cuse 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 on the
slender form and youthful face of the
wouldbe teacher.
Eight o'clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotee went down to
the school house with key in one hand
and a valise in the other.
Ready 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 he was going to do, though school
was not called
Harry opened his valise and took out
a large belt. Then. after buckling it
around his waist, he put three Colt
navy revolyers there, each Of six barrels
and bowie knife eighteen inches in the
blade.
Thunder! he means business NUT
tered the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out a
square card about two 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 revol-
yer from his belt, and quick as thought
sent ball after ball into the card, until
there was six balls in spot not much
larger than a 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 it with so true a
hand that it stuck quivering in the very
center of the card.
He left it there and put two more
knives of the same kind in his belt and
quickly reloaded his yet smoking pis-
tol,
Ring the bell; I am about to open
SCHOOL,
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy, the
bully of the crowd, and the boy rang the
bell without word
The scholars will take their seats; I
open school with prayer" he said, stern
y NV ldtCl.
The scholars sat down silent, almost
breathless.
After the prayer the teacher cooked
revolver and walked down on the
floor.
"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 a second he wheeled,
revolver in hand.
No whispering allowed here!' he
Numbered, and for an instant his revol-
yer lay on level with the cross-eyed
boys head.
I'll not do so any more,' gasped the
bully.
See you do not. / never give 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. The
teacher went out too, for the room was
crowded and hot. A hawk was circling
overhead high in the air. The teacher
drew revolver and the next second the
hawk came tumbling 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
respect him, and the revolver went out
of sight within month
They had found man at last who
could keep school.