The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-02-22
QUE STORY TELLER
Old-Time Barring Out.

Old-Time Barring Out.
Judge 10 G. Guild, famous in Ten
nessee as the bosom friend of Old Hickory
Jackson, has Just issued in Nashville a
book of anecdotes of Jackson Among
the most entertaining "reminiscences
related in the book is the following
account of a barring-out: "My
early life was made miserable by one
Mulberry Bangs, a gentleman of the old
school, who devoted himself to reading
writing and arithmetic, and the general
use of the stick. Upon my head and
other parts Of my person he imprinted
himself SO positively that can see him
now as plainly as if we had parted but
yesterday. He was stout man, who
made in his figure, when made in profile
Hogarth's line of beauty, being round.
shouldered and crooked in the legs. He
was blonde. The hair of his head had
that sunny tinge so much admired to-day
and when rubbed down with tallow
candle, as was his wont to dress it, was
SO smooth and straight that the boys
believed that the flies slipped down it
and broke their legs. His eyes were
dark and fierce, and, hid under the cav
ernous recesses made by his bushy red
eyebrows, seemed to watch like evil
spirits over his precious nose The nose
was a ruby nose, bottle in shape, and
when Bangs was angry, which appeared
to be all the time, it glowed like the
headlight of locomotive. His mouth
was finished without lips, and resembled
a slit in a piece of sole leather
Old Bangs was famous Tor his power
of resistance, and boosted that no school
of his had ever succeeded in conquering
or barring him out. There were two
big boys in school, named Bill Hennine
and Bob Strong. They were knotty
headed, broad-shouldered and hard
listed fellows, who worked through the
summer for means to attend school dur
ing the winter. Each in turn had beer
numerically whipped by the master
and it was understood throughout the
school that the barring out of Master
Bangs was to be accomplished and ole
scores settled. The evening before
the general engagement, Bill and Bob
our noble leaders, with few confeder
ates, stole back to the schoolhouse
armed with hickory poles. Breaking
open the door, they whitfield one end O
these tough saplings to point, and ther
hardened the points in the fire. Their
placing these in a corner, ready for USE
with stout cord, they gave orders t.
the boys willing to take part in the figh
to be ON hand at the schoolhouse befor,
daylight the next morning. At tn,
time indicated nearly all the lads were
in attendance. Some were pale anC
trembling, others were noisy and boast
full; but observed the real leaders ant
reliable soldiers were quiet-so quiet
indeed, that one might doubt them.
Our first order was to cut anC
carry in enough wood to serve the gar
rison during the siege. This wal
promptly executed. The window shutters
were pulled to and securely nailed, tn,
door closed and desks and benches pilec
against it. After two portfolios wer,
opened by removing the chinks anc
daubing, we gathered about roaring
ire In the huge fireplace, and waited
the approach of the enemy. AS the
time approached for the master coming
dread silence fell upon the little crowd
so that when he did come we could heal
his heavy tread upon the crushing snow
and many heart sunk and face whit
ened in terror. The leaders sprang t.
their posts on each side of the door, and
on being ordered to surrender, boldl,
demanded weeks holiday and a treat
OF cider and apples. This was sternl,
refused. Fire cried Bill and Bob, anc
two poles were thrust out with all tn,
strength the stout arms could give them
They took the indignant pedagogue il
the sides with such force that, but fo
thick flannel overcoat, holes Nigh
have been made in his wicked BODY
AS 1t was, he staggered back, and TO
twenty minutes or more we saw him sit
ting upon log, catching his breath an,
rubbing his wounded sides. We CAV
no end of loud cheers, claiming for our
selves the first knock-down, if not tn,
first blood
At the end of twenty minutes tn
master arose. Digging large ston,
from the snow, he approached and threw
It with great violence against the door
The stout oak batting fairly shook unde,
the blow, but held its own. Another
and another followed, amid jeers ant
laughter, encouraged by our noble lead
ers to keep up the courage of their fol
lowers. The fourth stone split the door
and the fifth broke the upper woodeI
hinge, and, but for the barricade within
the breach would have been available
The enemy, not being aware of the
defense within, suddenly dropped the
stone and ran at the door. We were moi
to be taken by surprise. Again were
the sharp lances thrust out. III
retreated, and we saw him fairly dance
with rage and pain. The more of this
ne INDUCED in the wilder grew our
delight. which we testified in screams Of
laughter. He soon ended this exhibi.
tion and disappeared around the school.
house, evidently on a reconnaissance.
There was dead silence, and we
realized that which we have have so
often felt since, the unknown movement
OF silent enemy. This was ended by 3