The Van Buren press., 1878-10-01
Teaching School In the Early Times
Of California.

Of California.
Mister, no doubt that you have all
the learnin' that's required in q school
teacher, but it wants more than learnin'
to make a man able to teach school in
Cranberry Gulch. You'll soon find that
out, il you try. We've had three who
tried it on. One lays there in the grave.
yard; another lost his eyes, and left
the last one opened school, and left be
fore noontime, for the benefit of his
health He hasn't been back since, Now
you're slender build, and all your lear
ming will only make it worse, for all
your young folks are roushs and don't
atand no nonsense u
This is what the trustees OF the dis.
triot said to my friend, Harry Flotee.
When he made application for the vacant
position Of teacher.
- .---a------~sr L-n- .r..aaI...!~..
but | am tough, and l have strong will, :
said Harry.
"Just as you like! There's the school
house, and I'll have notice given, il you
wants 1t done,' said the trustee.
IL do" said Harry, aud I'll open
next Monday, at 0 q. M"
The notice was given, and there was q
great deal Of excitement in the Gulch
and along the Yuba Oats. More than 80
young people of both sexes made an ex-
cuse to drop into tho tavern to get .
sight at the fellow who thought be could
keep school in that district, and many .
contemptuous glance fell on the slender
form and youthful face Of tho would be-
teacher.
Eight o'clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotce went down to
the school-house, with key in oUe hand
and valise in the other,
Ready to slope. If he finds we'ro too
much for him." said a cross-eyed, broad
shouldered fellow of Is. The school.
house was unlocked, and the new teach
er 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 |.
around his waist, he put three Colts Ns.
Wy reyolvers there, each Of six barrels,
and bowie knife eighteen inches in the
blade.
Thunder! He means business p
muttered the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out square
card, about four inches each way, walked
to the other end of the sehooLhouse,
and tackled it up against the wall. Re-
turning to his desk. he drew q revolver
from his belt, and quick as thought sent
ball after ball into that card, till there
were six balls in spot not larger than q
silver dollar.
by this time the schooi-house waa
tttfe f 5aes sefs AFRAID 10 SdmS H. RI. A'
Then the teacher walked half way
down the room with the ie.knife in
his hand, and threw it with 90 true a
hand that it stuck quivering in tho very
center Of the card.
He left 1t there, and put two more
knives Of the same kind in his belt. and
quietly reloaded his yet smoking pistol.
Bing the bell; am about to open
school,"
He spoke to the cross eyed boy. the
bully OF the crowd, and the boy rang the
bill without word.
The scholars will take their seats;
open school with prayer" he said, stern.
ly, five minutes later.
The scholars sat down, silent, almost
breathless.
After the prayer the teacher cooked y
revolver, aud walked down upon the
floor
1--WE will arrange the classes" he said,
"All who can read, write, and spell, will
arise. OF them wp will torn the first
ella S."
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
Numbered, and for An instant his revolv-
err lay on level with the cross eyed
boys head.
I'll not do SO any MORE" gssped the
bully.
SEQ you do not. l never give Sec
ond warning" said the teacher. and the
revolver fell
1t took full two hours to organize the
classes, but when done they wero we'll
organized. Then came the recess. The
teacher went out too, for the room was
Gro wded and hot. A hawk was oircline
overhead, high in tho 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 re-
spect him, and the reyolyers won't out Of
sight within month.
They had found man al last, who
could keep school. This is fact
San Francisco Chronicle.
4.