The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-12-03
He Knew How to Keep School.

ScnOOl teacher, Dut ii wants more tnan
learnin' to make man able to teach
school in Cranberry Gulch. You'll
soon find that out If you try it on. We
have had three who tried ii on One
lays there in the graveyard another
lost his eye and left the last one open
ed school and left before uoontime for
the benefit of his health He hasn't
been back since. Now you're slender
build, and all your learnin' will only
make it worse, for all our young folks
are roughs and don't stand no non
sense"
This was what one of the trustees of
district said to my friend Harry Flotee,
when he made application for the va
cant position of the teacher.
Let me try. know 1 am slender,
but am tough and l 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"
"I dc" said Harry, "and will open
next Monday at A. NJ"
The notice was given, and there was a
great deal of excitement in the Gulch
and along the Yuba Flats. More than
fifty people of both sexes made an ex-
cuse to drop in the tavern to get sight
at the fellow who thought he could keep
school in that district and many con-
temptuous glance fell on 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 u valise in the other.
=" Ready to slope, if he finds were're
too much for him." said cross-eyed,
broad -shouldered fellow of eighteen or
twenty.
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
revolvers there, each of six barrels, and
bowie knife eighteen inches in the
blade.
The new teacher now took out a
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 a
revolver and sent ball after ball into the
card, till there was six balls in 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 it with so true
hand that it stuck quivering in the very
centre 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: 1 am about to open
SCHOOL,
He spoke to the crosse eyed boy the
bully of the crowd, and the boy rang
the bell without word.
"The scholars will take their seats 1
open school with prayer" he said stern
ly, 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" said
he; 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 second he wheeled, a
revolver in hand.
"No whispering allowed herel !" he
thundered, and for an instant his revol-
yer lay on level with the cross-eyed
boys head.
"I'li not do so any more" gasped
the bully.
See you do not. never give sec
ond warming" said the teacher, and the
revolver fell.
1t took two hours to organize the
classes, but when done, they were well
organized. Then came recess. The