The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-03-06
BARRING OUT A PEDAGOGUE.
A PICTURE OF EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
IN EARLY TENNESSEE.


Just been published. 1t is largely de-
voted to "reminiscences of Andrew Jack
son. School days are not forgotten by
the venerable author, and in those days
barring out" was legitimate sport.
II the boys gained their point, they
were not only entitled to weeks extra
holiday at Christmas time, but were re-
garded as great heroes besides. One of
these episodes Is graphically described
in Judge Guilds work, it being fur
nlshed by gentleman who was bully
boy in his young days, Says he:
Ny early life was made miserable by
one Mulberry Bangs, gentleman of the
old school, who devoted himself to read
ING, writing and arithmetic, and the
general use of a stick. The boys were
knotty-headed, broad-shouldered, and
hard-fsted fellows, who worked through
the summer for means to attend school
during the winter Each in turn had
been numerically whipped by the mas
ter, and it was understood throughout
the school tina. the barring out of Master
Bangs was to be accomplished and old
scores settled. The evening before the
general engagement, Bill and Bob, our
noble leaders, with few confederates,
stole back to the school house, armed
with hickory poles. Breaking open the
door, they Whitfield one end of the tough
saplings to a point and then hardened
tho poinfS m tho fro
Then placing these in a corner ready
tor use, with stout cord, they gave
orders to the boys willing to take part
in the fight to be on hand at the school
house before daylight the next morning.
At the time indicated nearly all the lads
were in attendance. Some were pale
and trembling, others Were noisy and
boastful But | observed that the real
leaders and reliable soldiers were quiet
so quiet, indeed, that one might doubt
them. Our first order was
to cut and carry in enough wood to serve
the garrison during the siege. This was
promptly executed. The window shut
tiers were pulled to and securely nailed,
the door closed ana desks and benches
piled against it. After two portfolios
were opened by removing the chinks and
daubing, and gathering about a roaring
fire IN a fireplace, We waited the APP
proac. of the enemy. As the time APP
preached for the masters coming dead
silence fell upon the little crowd, so that
when he did come we could hear his
heavy tread upon the crushing snow,
and many heart sunk and face whit
ened in terror.
The leaders sprang to their posts on
each side Of the door, and, on being or,
dered to surrender, boldly demanded a
week 5 holiday and treat of cider and
apples. This was sternly refused.
Fire" cried Bill and Bob, and two
poles wero thrust out with all the strength
the stout arms could give them. They
took the indignant pedagogue in the
sides with such force that but for a thick
flannel overcoat, holes might have been
made in his wicked body. As it was, he
staggered back, and for twenty minutes
or more we saw him sitting on a log,
catching his breath and rubbing his
wounded sides. We gave no end of loud
cheers, claiming for ourselves the first
knock-down, If not the first blood. At
the end of twenty minutes the master
arose Digging a large stone from the
snow, he approached and threw it with
great violence against the door. The
stout oak batting fairly shook under the
blow, but held its own. Another and
another followed amid cheers and laugh
ter, encouraged by our noble leaders to
keep up the courage of their followers
The fourth stone split the door, and the
fifth broke the upper wooden hinge, and
but for the barricade within, the breach
would have been available.
The enemy now being aware of the
defense within suddenly dropped the
stone and ran in at the door. Wewerc
not to be taken by surprise. Again were
the sharp lanceS thrust out. One hit
with decided effect in the commissarg,
vulgarly called stomach; the other, as
he stopped doubled by the pain, in the
face, inficting an ugly wound, from
which the blood flowed in protusion.
He retreated and we saw him fairly
dance with rage and pain. The more oil
this he INDUCED in the wilder grew our
delight. which we testified in screams OF
laughter. He soon ended this exhibi-
ton and disappeared around the school
house, evidently on reconnaissance
There was dead silence and we realiz-
cd that which we have so often fell
since, the unknown movement of a silent
enemy This was ended by noise up
on the roof. and soon volumes of smoke
pouring into the room told us that
strategy had taken the place of assault.
We were to be smoked out For a mo-
ment our leaders looked puzzled. For
tunately, in the excitement of the con-
fict, the fire had not been fed, and now
only few chunks and embers supplied
the smoke. These were scattered up9r
the broad hearth and water thrown il
To eStinouish the refSa9Inater
Then Bill and Bob selected four Of the
stoutest poles, thrust them up the chin
ney, and at the word we gave to use
our own phrase, "a bloddy hist. The
consequences were a rafting of falling
boards, with the unmistakable thump OF
heavier body upon the ground. We
found afterward that the master had not
only covered the chimney-top with
boards, but had seated himself upon
them; the sudden and unexpected
hist had tumbled him off We heard
dismal groans and cries for relief from
the enemy Some were in favor of =,
ing at once to his assistance; others,
more cautious, opposed such mereifuI
GRAND. He's hollerin' too loud TO be
hurt much, " said shrewd Bob. We had
division in cur council Of war This
ended in cali for volunteer TO make
sortie and investigate. Jack Lcder,