Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-07-08
A sPUNKY MUSIC TEACHER.
How She Held the Fort at VIII
low Island.

low
There is classic village in this CON-
monwealth, not far from st. Mary's by
the river, known by the euphonious IL
tie OF Willow Island. This prettily
named island is situated in the midst
of the turbulent waters of a romantic
stream which wends its purling way to-
ward La Belle Ririere under the more
fanciful than descriptive pseudorym of
Cow Creek. To the rural retirement
this classic locality a short time ago
came fair young lady who is describ-
ed bv the press of that vicinity as "Miss
Mollie c." Miss Mollie was a teacher
OF vocal music, apparently accomplished
as a musician and competent as an in
structor, but surely able as discipline
rian.
The community into whose midst she
brought her art is noted for its culture
but the culture is principally expend-
ed upon the product OF the fields, to the
neglect of the minds and hearts of the
human portion of the inhabitants. The
lady was forewarned that no good would
come of her mission to Cow Greek. In
short it was said that the Cow Checkers
did not know how to behave, and that
they would probably dampen Miss C.'s
hopes Of success on her first appearance
in their midst, and send her home dis
heartened by their riotous conduct.
yet" says Miss c., in card she pub
fishes in the St. Mary's Observer, al was
willing TO make an effort in that direc-
tiCn. The door was thrown open and
all persons admitted the first evening
Discourtesy being the programme, en-
quired what it meant" To this very
reasonable and pertinent inquiry, the
audience as one man replied that "they
came there to do as they pleased" en-
phasizing this declaration with big,
big ID. But says Miss Mollie, 81 replied
that | would cause them to think differ
emily before left" And she did. Let
us have Mollie tell the story for her
self:
'The next evening not less than |
twelve persons under the influence OF |
cider, came, bringing their jugs with |
them, for the purpose they said of |
running the teacher out. As quick as |
the exercises began the room was in |
an uprOar; weapons put i'll an appear !
ance; and the cutting of two men was
the result of that evening Thinking |
this had gone far enough, | determined |
to lock the door to all but my class, |
though forbidden to do so by |
a member OF the Board OF Directors. |
Many were present the next evening to |
see the end. On entering the room, | |
requested them to withdraw. The seats |
soon became vaCant-eXcept one that |
held three big boys. ordered them to
90 out, but they refused, and called for
my backing. Not wishing to give my |
any trouble, knowing they |
were about equally divided, | took the
little job upon myself, and little it was.
When | reached to collar them they !
weren't there. Being threatened with |
sharp steel, and having experienced |
that before, ! made some preparation Tor |
it. This created some excitement, and |
the next evening crowds OF people were
present. On my way to school | met
friend who advised me TO return before |
going to the school, stating that trus- |
tee was there TO back those who would |
refuse TO comply to the rules; but my |
would not yield TO this.
| seized club and waded in, and order
ed the gentlemen to withdraw. All
were soon out except the trustee and
some others who rested on their mighty |
arms. With the club in one hand and a
revolver in the other, | started toward
them, but didn't hurt any body. | only |
caught glimpse of their shadows going
out at the door. Some one whispered,
Hold the fort, and | vouched ] would.
The school is still going on, and in per.
feet order. There are twenty scholars
in attendance, and the progress is
In concluding her card, Miss Mollie
saws that ii she has Over-stepped the
bounds of propriety, she was forced to
it i'm self defense. And clearly she was.
Her livelihood comes from teaching
music. She probably made mistake
in going to Cow Creek. But having
opened a school there, it would not have
done to give it up. She would have
been troubled similarly wherever she
went. But we are OF the opinion that
she will have order hereafter, and the
rough element will let her severely
alone. Especiallythe Cow Checkers.