American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-08-28
Getting Even with the SchOOl-teacher.

THE following bit of school-boy ex-
perience is from a humorous publication
entitled Mike Horn, the Independent
Candidate for the Presidency" by Joe
Kerr, published by z. S. Drown & Co.,
St. Louis:
Mike declared that he would pay "Old
Silence" as he called the teacher, for
whipping him, and not Jim Jones, and
for several days he was planning how
he should do it, but in vain, as it was a
task that required considerable skill and
ingenuity. At last, however, the oppor-
tunity came to him unexpectedly. He
had, as usual, been doing nothing"
and as a punishment had to stay in
school during dinner time. 1t was q
severe ordeal for him. Looking out of
the window he could see the boys play
ing, and having good time generally;
he would rather take dozen whippings
than be deprived of his play hour. He,
however, concluded to while away the
time in drawing on the blackboard, for
he had considerable talent in that di-
rection. All at once thought struck
hm-just the thing for revenge on "Old
Silence" He would caricature him and
write his new name on the drawing and
leave it to be seen by all the scholars.
So he glanced about, and seeing the
place clear of pryiDg eyes, went to work.
"WOnt he be mad ?" chuckled Mike to
himself. That's his nose exactly"
and he stepped backward to admire his
work. Z" No one will ever know who
did it, he thought as he added the eye
glasses and finished the work, much to
his satisfaction.
The scholars had not long been assem-
bled before the illustration was discov-
cred, and its resemblance to the teacher
recognized. A general litter went over
the school-rOOm and attracted the atten-
ton of the teacher. "Silence!" he ex-
claimed, looking up from his writing, at
which biographies were in great demand
by the school.
"Simon, what amuses youP''
Simon George had left his geography
at home, SO his mirtn was beyond con-
lest he should burst out laughing, SO he
simply pointed to the blackboard to
which the teacher had his back turned.
Mike Horn had his revenge; in fact
he never enjoyed any thing so much in
his life. His handkerchief was scarcely
large enough to fill his mouth, and it
was with great difficulty that he kept
from laughing aloud. The teacher gave
one look at the blackboard and then at
the school. There was no merriment
"Silence +" was about to vent his
wrath and commence a search for the |
guilty person who had thus caricatured |
him, but the thought struck him that |
the course he had on the spur of the |
moment intended to pursue was not al |
together q wise one, even though it |
might be the most correct. What, then, |
= H. ~t1t - 30
see the stern features of the hard-heart-
ed schOol-master relax into q broad |
smile. In fact, he laughed quite heat
ly, and again examined the drawing. |
IS Well, whoever did that he said,
aloud, has a superior talent for draw
ing, and will make great artist" He
not to notice that 1t was in
tended as caricature of himself.
F" Surely that must have been done by |
some grown person; no scholar of mine,
1 imagine, can draw so well; if there is,
he must receive instruction at once.'
Mike Horn opened his eyes very wide;
he was being praised for his work, and
:" Old Silence did not recognize it as
himself. "Well, that is too good" he
thought.
the schoolmaster, still looking admir-
ingly at the blackboard, "must take
lessons in drawing and painting. Who
did itP'' Putting the question abruptly.
Mike, suspecting no deception on the
part of the teacher, and thinking he had
made great hit, which would indeed
make him hero in the eyes of the
school, rose to his feet, and, casting one
glance of pride and grandeur over the
said, grandly, 81 did,
Every eye was upon him in astOnish-
ment and admiration. All except Isl
ence " himself-his eye was upon poor
Mike, but not in admiration-the pleas
ant smile had left his face, and In its
place look of satisfaction at his own
great cunning.
"Mike Horn," he said, cit was
youP' /
Sc Yes, SIR"
"Well,'' continued "Silence,' you
deserve praise for your talent,
Is I said before, and should improve it,
but you did wrong in ridiculing your
superior in choosing such d subject for
and for that I must punish
you severely a.
Mike was neatly trapped; he admitted
hat afterward; at the time, however,
ae was too frightened to reason much
about it.
The eccentric "Silence'' Immediately
ragged poor Mike to the front, adIain-
stored to him a sound fogging, and
him to remain standing on
he small stool all the afternoon but
Nike kept his voluntary PROMISE He
lever did it again.
Best quality of lard melts at 81 de-