Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-06-05
He Knew How to Keen School.

Mister, no doubt you have all the learn
In that's required in school teacher. bu
II wants more than learnin' to make mar
able TO teach school In Cranberry Gulch
You'll soon fnd that II you try. We've
had three who tried il on. One LAYS there
In the grave yard another lost his eve. and
lett the last one opened school and left be-
fore uoon-time for the benefit Of his health.
He hasn't been back since. Now you re a
slender build, and all your learnin' will
only make Il worse. for all our young folk :
are roughs and don't stand no nonsenser -
That was what one OF the trustees Of the
district said to my friend Harry Flotee,
when be made application for the vacant
1 position OF teacher.
Let me try. know am slender, but
] am tough, and | have a strong will. =
said Harry.
''Just As yon like. There's the school
house. and I'll have notice gwen II you
want IL done" said the trustee.
| II DO, said Harry; and I'll open next
| Monday at Q n. m"
The notice was given and there was a
| good deal Of excitement in the gulch and
along the TUBA flats. More than fifty
| young people OF both sexes made an ex-
cuse TO drop into the tavsrn to get sight
AZ the felloY who thought be could keep
school In that district, and many 3 con
temp,nous glance tell on the slender form
and youthful face OF tha would teac her
Eight o'clock on Monday morning came,
aud Harry Flotee went down 10 th. school
| house with key in one hand and a yalse
In the other
"i;eady 10 slope II he nnds we're too
much for him" said a cross-eyed, broad
shouldered fellow OF eighteen.
The school house was unlocked and the
new teacher went 10 the desk. Some OF the
young folks went In TO see what he was 20
Ing To do, though school was not called
Harry opened his valise and took out n
large belt. Then after buckllng II around
his waist, he put three Colts navy rcvolv-
ers there, each Of six barrels. and bowie
knife eighteen Inches 10 the blade.
Thunder! He means business" NUT
tered the cross-eyed chap.
IN" new teacher now took out square
card about four Inches each way. walked
70 The other end OF the house aud tackled
L up against the wall Rrturuin. To hi
dc-k, lac drew revolver from hi- belt, lud
quick as thought sent ball after ball into
the card, TIL there was six balls in a spot
not much larger than silver half dollar.
BY this time the school house was half
iaI oi large boys ami girls. The ll,t,c ones
were afraid 20 come in.
ihtH 'Hc t'athcE "aiAcu Nall NaF down
and throw 1t With 30 true a hand thaiii Il
suck quiyering 10 the very cenire Of The
card
lie I'm IL there and put two more knives
OF The same Kind 10 his belt aud quickly re
loaded his yet smoking pistol,
Ring the bell. | am about 10 open
school"
lie spoke to the cross-eyed boy, the bully
of the crowd, and the boy rang the bell
without 4 word.
The scholars Will take their seats; |
open school with prayer" lie said 'ternIy,
i've minutes later.
The scholars sat down silent, almsot
breathless
After the prayer the teacher cooked re-
volyer and walked down on the iioor.
We Will arrange the classes he said.
all who can read, write aud spell viii
rise. OF them We "i.l form the first
class"
Only six got up. He escorted them to
upper seats, and then he began 20 examine
the rest. whisper was heard behind
him. In q second he wheeled, revolver In
hand.
No whispering allowed here :" he thun-
dered, and for an instant his revolver lay
on a level with the cross-eyed boy'- head.
'l'll not DO 50 any more" ga-ped the
bully.
see you do not. | never give Il second
warning said the teacher, and the re-
yoiver tell.
Il took two hours to organize the classes,
and when done they were well organized
Then came recess. The teacher went out,
too, for TIE room was crowded and hot. a
hawk was clrcling overhead high in the air.
The teacher drew revolver and the next
second the hawk came tumbling down
among the wondering scholars.
From that day on, Harry kept school for
two years In Cranberry Gulch, his salary
doubled after the tirst quarter, aud his pa
pills learned to love as well a, 10 respect
him; aud the r-volvers went out OF sight
within a month
They had found a man at last who could
keep school. This is fact san Fran
cisco Chronicle.