The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-02-22

noise upon the roof, und soon volumes
of smoke pouring into the room told us
that strategy had taken the place OF
assault. We were to be smoked out.
For a moment our leaders looked
puzzled. Fortunately, in the excite
ment of the conflict, the fire had not
been fed, and now only few chunks
and embers supplied the smoke. These
were scattered upon the broad hearth,
and water thrown in to extinguish the
remainder. Then Bill and Bob, selecting
four of the stoutest poles, thrust them
up the chimney, and at the word, we
gave, to use our own phrase, bloody
hist The consequences were rafting
of falling boards, with the unmistakable
thump of a heavier body upon the
ground We found afterward that the
master had not only covered the Chin
ney-top with boards, but had seated
himself upon them; the sudden and
unexpected hist had tumbled him off.
We heard dismal groans and cries for
relief from the enemy. Some were in
favor of going at once to his assistance;
others, more cautious, opposed such
merciful errand. He's hollerin' too
loud to be hurt much said shrewd Bob.
ave had division in our council of
war. This ended in a call for volun-
teer to make sortie and investigate.
Jack Loder, one of the most daring and
active among the younger boys,
responded. A shutter on the opposite
side to the cries for help was opened
quickly and Jack thrust out. The result
of this was not only a cessation of groan
I,,A hot I'm nd
through the portfolios. Jack was
good runner, and when the two disap
peared over the meadow into the willow
thicket, Jack was gaining on him, and
and we bad good hopes of his escape.
To our dismay and horror, in half an
hour we saw the master returning with
poor Jack in his grasp. He had host
age, and was swift in his use of the
advantage. Stopping before the house,
he began whipping the poor fellow
numerically. Jacks cries were piteous.
20 let Kim in, boys; let him in he's a
KILN o meP rung in our ears. There
was hurried consultation. The benches
and desks were quietly removed from
the door. A sortie had been determined
on. The master stood at the side of the
house, south of the door, and as soon as
the opening was made, Bill Enclosed a
shutter and proposed a parley. The
answer was rush at the open window
by the master, who began climbing in.
Brave little Jack seized him by the legs,
and before he could kick him off, a
dozen stout lads were clinging to them,
while as many more held him on the
inside Bill seized the rope and
attempted to pass the moose over his
arms In the hurry and confusion of
the fight he succeeded only in getting it
over his head. Pulling it as the boys
did, there was fair prospect of ending
the useful labors of the teacher by
strangulation. That he deserved it, no
one doubted; but Bob, having climbed
over the master in the window, and with
all the school pulling at the ends of old
Bangs, was soon master of the situation.
Getting hold of the rope, and assisted
by Bill, he succeeded in tying the arms
of the almost exhausted man to his sides.
He was then tumbled from the window
as unceremoniously as pig.
"' Will you give up?' demanded our
leader.
No. gasped the master.
iucH we IL pun YOU uoWH tue well,
hanged if we don'tP
"The brave old pedagogue still refus-
ing, he was dragged, rolled, and tumbled
to the well-curb.
Will you give up, dern your
demanded Bob.
"' No, | won'tp
Gle was showed inside of the bucket,
and orders given to lower. But the
weight proved too much for the lads,
and the crank of the windlass
slipped from their grasp, the learning of
our district went whirling to the bottom
with laundering noise BETTING such
an exit. This was more than we bar
gained for. Had we really murdered
the master? Bob and Bill, assisted by
the stoutest, began pulling up the unfor-
tunate old fellow. 1t was hard work,
and Juggling at the windlass, they Just
caught glimpse of his blonde head,
when wild cry of Firep caused them
to let go, and again the venerable Bangs
ratified down with a splash in the water.
The schoolhouse was on fire; the chunks
pulled out by the boys had communi-
Gated to the floor, and the dry cid con-
Germ was in blaze. A few neighbors,
who just then arrived, gave the alarm,
and attempted to extinguish the flames
TO do this they called for water, and
the first bucket brought up contained
the vanquished teacher. He came up
with teeth chattering, and when lifted
out and united was too weak to stand or
sit. The schoolhouse burned down.
The master was carried to neighbours
house, and for a few weeks hung between
life and death. We were regarded as
heroes by the country side, and in the
burning of our place of torture, and the
sickness of the master, we were the hap
piest set of little animals in the world. J"
1 VVLox a. N-:<. r.. A. ~