New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-01-30
How Joe Lost a Bad Reputation.

Joe Thornton was the worst boy in the
school, and everybody said it. He was
twelve years old now: strong, cookbook
ing lad who could not read inteligibly
because his mind was bent on mischief
the whole day through. With the winter
teachers mamie just kept within bounds;
but every summer he had brush, as he
called it, with the woman teacher, and
kept her in an anxious, excited state
throughout the term. This summer the
presiding genius Of the red school house
had a kind face, and so tender heart
that she never once thought Of its capa-
hilities Of becoming steely when circum-
stances might cause it to harden. Joe
always had a name for his teacher. The
winter schoolmaster had been Long
shanks; the lady who had taught the sum
mer previous was May-Pole; and the lit
tie girl who smiled down on them this
summer was Rosebud. AS this:was her
first school, Joe confded to the boys that
he should postpone breaking her for a
while; SO, for few days, she was left to
the illusion that the group of little child
rem around her was made up of so many
cherubs; then he began to lay plans for a
siege.
His base of operating at first always con-
sisted in defying the rules; so his first Of
Tense was staying outside for half an
hour or so, after school had been called
at recess. Now, the summer before he
had not only stayed outside, but he had
pelted the school-house wall as well; so
you see he meant to be little fOrbearing,
after ALL
Well, what did Rosebud do but detain
him as many minutes after the others
were dismissed as he had remained alb
sent.
Under ordinary circumstances, Joe
would have just marched out and paid no
attention to the teachers command. But
the little school-mistress stood quietly by
the door and, and looked at him; and
though he was we'll aware that, physical
", he was much the stronger, there was
in her eyes look Of power that he did
not resist. But when once set free he
gave whoop upon the school house steps,
and told the boys when he Joined them
that Rose bud and he had got to have a
brush, and that was just what it was COM
ing to.
On his way to school Joe passed a lit
tie, grim smithy, where the village horses
We're shod. The proprietor Of this estab-
l1shment, Jack Jones, and hewere old &C
,auaintancea. The next morning, when
doe passed for school, Jack stood in the
door. looking as sooty as his shop. He
was a huge fellow, sinewy and powerful,
and looked as though he might have been
made at his own forge; AND yet in this
ateely case throbbed a heart soft and
warmyand exceedingly tender. Rose bud,
in passing that way once or twice, had
looked into his shop with seeming inter
est, because it was work, and Jack had
farcied that he caught the same look in
her face that had belonged to little
daughter of his who had rested now seven
years under the daisies.
s.Joe." said Jack, "John Town told me
last night that you was goin' to lick the
teacher" @ 49,
Joe straightened mp and looked import
ant. oval. yis, Jack, do think OF com
mencin' operations. a little, in that line
She's the delicatest little thing, and it
won't do to be very savage, and it won't
do to have her bossin' of Teller round
nuther, you know"
EsSee here, Joe" said Jack, II don't be-
ieve you ever had fust-class whippin
il, your life, and I'll tell you what I'll do
You tech hair Of that gals head, and I'll
give you sound maulin' as sure as my
names Jack Jones'" and Jack brought
down his sledge-h hammer of fist with
emphasis on his leathern apron.
Joe put his thumb up to his nose and
marched on. He did not care mnch fol
Jacks threat; he felt so sure he could
keep out of his way, and he did mean to
give the young school-mistress scare,
and this was the way he would do 1t: He
would break the rules again, and she
would call him out, but he wouldn't go
He felt pretty sure she was gritty enough
to undertake to whip him; then he would
catch the stick. break it, throw it over hel
head-assume so offensive an attitude, in
short, that she would be glad to retire to
her desk and leave him master OF the field
This was to be the programme. 1t was
all to be without bloodshed, and let Jack
Jones catch him if he could.
So, little while after school had taken
up that morning, he commenced throw.
ing spit-baIls; but Rosebud, who was at
tending to class, seemed entirely obliv-
ious, When she had finished, she walked
UP the aisles to do sums. She was al
work a little back of his seat, when poi
went ball and hit Tiny Smith on the
chin.
At the instant, from some mysterious
fold of Rosebud's dress, flew long, though
willow blue-beech, and gave severa
quick slashes around the shoulders o.
Joe's linen coat before he. seemed to com
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