The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-11-03


The Slim Teacher.
'Mister, no doubt you have all the learn.
in that's required in school teacher, but
it takes more than learnin' TO make a man
able to teach school in Cranberry Gulch,
You'll soon find that out if you try. We've
had three who tried it on. One lays thero
in the graveyard; another lost his eye; the
last one opened school and left before noon
time, for the benefit of his health He has
not been back since. Now you're slender
built and all your learnin' will only make
it worse, for all our young people are
roughs and don't stand no nonsense,
This was what one Of the trustees OF the
district said to my friend Harry Flotoe
when he applied for the vacant post Of
teacher.
''Let me try. know am slender, but
| am tough and have a strong will, said
Harry.
"Just as you like. There is the school
house and | will have the notice given II
you want it done" said the trustee.
Il do" said Harry, "and I'll open next
Monday at a. M"
The notice was given, and there was q
good deal Of excitement in the gulch and
along the Yuba flats More than fifty young
people of both sexes made an excuse to
drop into the tavern TO get a sight at the
fellow who thought he could keep school
in that district, and many contemptuous
glance fell on the slender form and youth
full face OF the wouldbe teacher
Eight o'clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotoe went down to the
school-house with yalise in one hand and
a key in the other.
Ready to slope ii ho sees we're too much
for him, said cross. eyed, broad shoul-
dered fellow of eighteen.
The school-house was unlocked aud the
new teacher went to his desk. Some Of
the folks went to see what he was going to
do though school was not called. Harry
opened his valse and took out large belt.
Then, after buckliug it round his waist, he
put three Colts navy reyolvers there, each
six barrels, and n bowie knife eighteen in
ches in the blade.
'Thunderl He means business" NUT
tered the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher took out asquare card
about four inches each way, walked to the
other end of tho school ol-house and tackled
it up against the wall Returning to his
desk he drew revolver from his belt, and
quick as thought sent ball after ball into
the card till there were six balls in a spot |
not much larger than dollar.
BY this time the room was half full of
large boys and girls. The little ones were
afraid TO come in.
Then the teacher walked halfway down
the room with bowie knife in his hand,
and threw it with so true hand that 1t
stuck, quiyering, in the centre of the card.
He let it remain there, and quietly put
two more of the same kind in his belt and
his yet smoking pistol.
Ring the bell. | am about to open
school.
He spoke to the cross eyed boy, the
bully of the crowd, and the boy obeyed.
'sThe scholars will take their seats; /
open school with prayer, he said sternly
i've minutes later
The scholars sat down silently, almost
,reathless. After the prayer, the teacher +
cooked n revolver and walked down on the
ioor &
1--WE will arrange the classes, he said /
All who can read write and spell will rise. &
)f them we will form the first class. -
Only six got up. He escorted them to '
Ipper seats and began to examine the rest. I
whisper was heard behind him. Instant {
y he wheeled, revolver in hand
mo whispering allowed here, he thun-
Iered, and for an instant his revolver lay :
n level with the cross-eyed boys head. {
'1l not do SO any more" gasped the 4
ully.
See you do not. never give a second ,
'arning, said the teacher and the reyoly- &
r fell. G
1t took two hours 10 organize the classes q
ut when done they we're all organized. q
Then came recess. The teacher went ou {
%, for the room was crowded and hot. A {
awk was sailing overhead high in the air v
he teacher drew his revolver and the next r
loment the hawk came tumbling down q
mongst the wondering scholars. Il
From that day on Harry kept school for /,
yo years in Cranberry Gulch; his salary e
oubled after the first quarter and his pu. =
lis learned TO love as well as respect him, q
I'd the reyolyers were out Of sight within i
mouth. A
They had found man at last who could y
eep school This is fact SIM Fran ~
SEQ BaLeii.. !.