Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-02-06
CHARLES BRNTLY.
From a aTeaoher's Notebook.
By j. r. DENNIS.

l had engaged to teach the North
District school during the wiHter-
six months and ''boaFd around. -
Deacon Seymour was one ef the
trustees, and he warned me very
soon that the worst boy in the neigh
oorhood was Charles Bently. The
home of the young man was pointed
out TO me by one of the scholars
in manner that indicated that he,
was a well-known enemy of the
school-master, if not Of the school.
1t seemed hard to me to consider
that had n foe in this district,
where was unknown and a strang-
er. Yet, was full of plucky cour-
arge and hGpefulaeSs.
The Bently family was reduced
to ive--a mother, daughter, and
three sons. The father, who was
dead, had kept hotel in Lis house
for some years, and during that
time the Oldest son, Charles, was
bora. The other sons were not par
ticularly bad, and the daughter was
one Of the best and most dutiful
ever given TO a mother. From the
bar-roOm the soul and body of
Charles BentIy had drawn nothing
wholesome, only filth, scurriiity,
and degradation. lie WIS stout
young man of twenty years of age,
a lighting character, afraid of no
cne, boasting OF his strength, and
eager to fight or wrestle with any
one. His quarrelsome disposition
aud overbearing temper were we'll
known, and every one in the village
; near by preferred to pass his threats
and taunts in silence.
Strange as it may seem, he had
: quite taste for reading, and de-
yourec all the books he could put
his hands on. He would attend
: school until he had picked a quarrel
with the teacher, when he would
leave. During the past winter he
had nearly broken up the school, by
seiziGg the teacher and carrying
him outof the door and throwing
him into q Snow-bank. ] heaId all
these items without misgiviugs, l
had, during my college year, taken
lessons in boxing, and having been
brought up on farm, had good |
muscular development.
Bently came into school one morn
ing, in November, aad without |
greeting me took seat already oc
cupied. He was not pleased that
the occupant declined to yield it to
lin, and heard a muttered threat
to pound you when the boys 60
out" I saw the boy had no master
and that lay at the foundation and
gave him his bad name. He was of
an age, too, when he needed con.
trolling hand, and I felt impelled
to stretch out my band and force
him to accept guidance. But was 1
able to d. this ? And how should
+ be done, and when ?
paid no attention to him during
the morning, and at noon he disap-
peared. The next morning he was
In school again, and seized the same
seat he had laid claim to the day
before. l remarked, "That seat
belongs to James Wilson,"
* don't care for that sat here
last winter, and I am going to sit
here again.
''You must take such a seat as l
assign you," l replied, as pleasantly
as could.
"This is my seat, anyhow" l
reasoned the case with him, and
showed him that the rule he at
tempted to enforce, If put in force
against him, would disp0ssess him
to which he only replied, "Let any
one touch my seat, if he dares I'il ,
pitch him out Of the window qs I
did old Popham." This reference
to the last winters teacherI I knew
was meant for my benefit, and that
the gauntlet was thrown down, and
II | was to rule in my school-room,
M ast pick it up.
In as calm a voice as 1 eouli use, s
said, after moments pause c
"Hently, gave you seat yester- J
day go and take that" '
''Here is where I am going to +
sit. :" was the answer.
1 had been leaning against my
desk carelessly, for school had not I
yet been opened. / now turned t
around, and took off my coat, and
put on linen duster was in the r
habit OF wearing. As l buttoned it n
up to the throat came in front of s
him, and, With sudden and power .
ful movement OF my arm, I struck
him heavy blow between the eyes. t
/ quickly followed this with anoth- e
er, and. before he could interpose f
IN ?ch defense, | hal him on the Y
4 Ior, aa-t, seating myself on him, f
b gan - pom hi II l3 Ia Dravin1s. | r