Morning journal and courier., 1881-10-22
Price Four Cents
Arthur as a school Teacher.

In the year 1853 the writer attended the district school at Cohoes. The high depart ment did not enjoy very enviable reputa- | tion for being possessed of that respect due I from the pupils to the teacher During the year there had been at least four teachers | in that department, the last one only remain ! ing one week. The board of education had ' found it difficult to obtain pedacopue to take charge of the school, until young man. slender as May-pole and six feet high in his stockings, applied for the place. He was engaged at once although he was previously ! informed of the kind of timber he would be ! obliged to hew. Promptly at 9 o'clock a. m. every scholar was on hand to welcome the ] man who had said that he would ''conquer the school or forfeit his reputation Hav- ing called the morning session to order. he said that he had been engaged to take charge of the school. He came with his mind pre- | judiced against the place. He had heard of the treatment of the former teachers by the pupils yet he was not at all embarrassed. for he felt that, with the proper recognition of each other s rights, teacher and scholars could
 live together in harmony. Hedid not intend to threaten, but he intended to make the scholars obey him, and would try and win the goodwill of all present. He had been encap- ed to take charge of that room, and he wish
 ed the co operation of every pupil in so doing. He had no club, ruler or whip but appealed
 directly to the hearts of every young man
 and young lady in the room Whatever he
 should do he would st least show to the peo-
 pie Of this place that this school could be governed. He spoke thus and feelingly at
 times, yet with perfect dignity he displayed
 that executive ability which in after years
 made hlm such a prominent man. Of course
 the people, especially the boys, had heard
 fine words spoken before and at once little
 smile seemed to fit across the faces of the
 leading spirits in the past rebellions.
 The work of the forenoon began when a
 lad Of lS placed a. marble between his thumb
 and finger, and, with snap, sent it rolling
 across the floor. As the tall and handsome
 teacher saw this act he rose from his seat,
 and, without a word, walked toward the lad
 ''Get up, sir, :" he said. The lad looked at
 him to see if he was in earnest then he cast
 his eye toward the large boys to see if they
 were not going to take up his defense. ''Get
 up, sir, said the teacher second time, and
 he took him by the collar of his jacket as if
 to raise him. The lad saw he had no com-
 mon man to deal with, and he rose from his
 seat. Follow me, sir" calmly spoke the
 teacher, and he led the way toward the hall
 while the boy began to trembIe wondering If the new teacher was going to take him out
 and kill him. The primary department was presided over by sister of the teacher, and into this room he led the young trans gressor. Turning to his sister he said 1T have pupil for you; select seat for him and let him remaln here. If he makes any disturbance whatever inform me" Turning to the boy he said Young man, mind your teacher and do not leave your seat until I give permission, and he was gone. The lad sat there, feeling very sheepish, and as misc ry loves company, 1t was not long before he was grati1ed to. see the door open and ob- serve his seat-mate enter with the new teach CT, who repeated the previous orders, when he quietly and with dignity withdrew.
 The number was subsequently increased to three, the teacher returning each time with out word to the other scholars concerning the disposition made of the refractory lads The effect upon the rest of the school was remarkable. As no intimation of the disposi- ton of the boys was given, not shade of anger displayed on the countenance of the new teacher, nor any appearance of blood was noticeable upon his hands, speculation was rife as to what he had done with the three chaps. He spoke kindly to all, smiled upon thescholars who did well in their classes, and seemed to inspire all present with the truth of his remarks uttered at the opening of the session. At recess the mystery that had enveloped the school was cleared away, for the three lads in the primary department were seen the rest of the scholars filed by the door. While all the rest enjoyed the re- cess, the three lads were obliged tc remain in their seats, and when school was dismissed for the forenoon, the new teacher entered the primary room, and was alone with the young offenders. He sat down by them and like father talked kindly and gave good advice. NO pdE0uG ever ub0u ulOT6 WOFu5 HOT more impressed>his offspring with the fitness thereof than did the new teacher. Dismiss ing them, he told them to go home, and when they returned to school to be good boys.
 That afternoon the boys were in their seats, and in two weeks time there was not schol- IT in the room who would not do anything his teacher asked. He was beloved by all, and his quiet manner and cool, dignifed ways made him great favorite. He only taught TWO terms, and every reasonable inducement was offered to prevail upon him to remain, put without avail. His reply was ''I have all intended, namely, conquer sd what you thought was a wild lot of boys, md receive the discipline that I required I -egret leaving my charge, for have learned 70 love them, but am to enter law office at once."
 That teacher was Chester A. Arthur, now President of the United States, the teacher of he primary departure ent was his sister, now Mrs. Haynesworth, and the first of the three refractory boys was the writer. When it was announced that our beloved teacher was % leave us, many tears were shed by his scholars and as slight token of our love we presented him with an elegant volume of poems