River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-09-18
A Brave Boy.

! was teaching school IN little Town
in Western State several years ago and
during the winter many farmers sons
and fiejd-boys entered, who were not
able 10 come at other times of the year.
Some Of them were dull scholars, but
nearly al were anxious to learn, ard
thew did not give me near So much trouble
as the few sons of Weather parents who
were also under my charge.
There was one among the sunburDt
faces of these boys that ala avs struck
ne as especially Intelligent, Ii belonged
to Henry Chalmers, lad Of fourteen.
He worked for a nelghborlng farmer
nine months in the year. in order to at
Tend school the remaining three; but 1t
wits evident he had other sources of in
struction besides those given III the
school tor he often came TO me with
questions which showed knowledge be-
vond what / could expect from one no
further advanced in his studies.
Most of the scholars were younger
than Henry, or else aDout his age, but
there were four or FIVE boys and several
urls who we're older. There was one boy
of nineteen, a slow and stupid, but good
hearted fellow, and another of sixteen
George Cusseil, whom never quite
liked II he was not selfish and unprln
ciplcd. he was at least very silly.
lie always wore exceedingly tiashy
neckties; he cooked his hat on one side,
and displayed cheap ring, Of which ne
was evidently very proud, on his stubby
little finger.
Moreover, he carried cane wherever
he vert, even too and from school. which
seems 10 me very foolish and concelted
fo- a boy with sound legs to do under
any circumstances, but especially so IN
his case.
However, that cane proved itself OF ut
most service to me and TO the scholars II
If was not OF service to Cassel; and met
It's end il an extraordinary manner.
1t was one of the last days of the
spring term, and l was just ready to
hear the first recitation, when a little
airl burst into the school. room all out Of
breath with crying and running, and ex-
claimed, as soon as she passed the door,
40 Miss Franklin, there's a mad dog
/ rig ont in the road y
| The scholars all laughed Mad dogs
/ are favorite terror with little girls.
Maggie" said !, come here;' and l
/ took al her hat and cloak How do
1 YOU know the dog is mad 2"
/ ssWhy, he was running down the road
/ as fast rs could be, and he looked awful
mad. and Mr.. Atkln 5 SAYS he Is mad, and
i oh, did you hear at.
I 1t was the loud report Of gun directly
/ M front of the school-house, followed by
chorus of 'Oh's" from the scholars, anti
{ sop,a shrIH screams outside
Then another little girl ran along the
aalk near the side windows, screaming
with AL her might, and opening the rear
door Of the building. rushed, Just as Mag
rie had done, into the room where "
were nil seated
Closely following her, and at one time
almost seizrng her dress, came large
dog. without doubt in rabid condition.
He had been shot at in the road, and
was apparently wounded.
IF tie girl had closed the door behind
her. which she could easily have done,
the dog could not have entered; but as
it was. she led the mad creature directly
into tho room where We we're.
The door was behind and one side OF
me. As | turned and looked my heart
stood still, for | beheld what | hope
NAV never again see,--a really mad dog
his mouth dripping, his eyes glaring, and
his hair bristlin.
lie stopped a, the doorway tor an in
slant then, with growl he started into
the room.
| have heard people tell about thinking
quickly in times OF great danger, but Tor
my part, can say that on this occasion
did not think At ALL Hardly knowing
what did, | seized a ruler, grasped the
two little girls and drew them to me.
The dog advanced towards us, but hi
kad bot taken three steps when a boy:
torn suddenly interposed. Itwas Henry
Chalmers.
He had picked up the tirst weapon that
came within reach, which happened Il
be a cane stsBding in the corner near his
seat. Although its duty when in Georgs
Cassell's hand was solely as an ornament
ii was, nevertheless, apparently for use
for it had thick shaft and large knob
for head.
With is he struck the dog : lit blow.
over the hack, and the animal Instantly
turned upon him with fierce snarl.
20 Henry" / screamed, she careful 70
your life"
He did not answer but held the cam
III down TO the dogs mouth. The anlma