The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-05-03

me OF several important facts. In this
first time, each succeeding master had
gone Into the school house with the
firm conviction that he had to fight his
way through. This very feeling had
served to excite his combativeness, so
that his position to the scholars was an
antagonstlc one. The result had been
inevitable. At fighting, the large schol-
ars were handy, they had prepared for
1t, and expected 1t, and, consequently,
were easily led to an exhibition of their
| pugnaclous qualities.
On the next morning, l went to the
school house little earlier than the
usual hour for commencing. / found
the building nearly new, and looking
clean and neat l liked that. went
in and arranged my books OIL the desk.
MIR. Bonny had given me the key to
this desk Mt the same time informing
me that lie believed there were some
implements there l might need. found
a heavy rock maple ferule, some two
feet long by two inches wide, and three
| quarters of an inch thick.
1t was perfect club, and was more
over, enough to excite the ire of any
decent person who might see it brand
ished about in the hands of superior.
1t was not alone. 1t had a companion
in the shape of a long, stout heavy
rawhide or ''green hide" as they are
sometimes called 1 left them remain
in the desk.
AT nine o'clock l rang the hand bell
with which my host had supplied me,
and the scholars took their seats. The
school was full, and as / glanced care
fully around 1 was pleased with the
appearance of most Of the scholars
They were comely, intelligent looking
set for such place. But among the
larger boys were some faces which l
wished to study
John Putney and Stephen Oliver had
been so thoroughly described to me that
L recognized them the moment l put
my eyes upon them. They were two
hard looking customers, especially the
former, Putney was tai. and stout, with
head and shoulders not unlike those of
and seemed to lean back in his seat like
one who held sway over all around.
When first came to him in my sweep
ing glance / caught his eye. He tried
hard to keep up his glance, but in a
very few seconds, his lips trembled and
his eyes sank. | knew | could conquer
him in some way.
Stephen Oliver was not so tall as
John Putney, though some said strong
er. But he was better man. His face
was more intelligent, and he had some
pride.
AS soon as all was still made few
remarks. opened my desk and drew
forth the ponderous ferule and rawhide.
"Do these belong to any one in
school ?" 1 asked, holding them up.
No one answered. l then asked Lydia
Bonny if she knew to whom they be-
longed. She said she believed their last
teacher brought them. l then stepped
down and put them both into the stove.
After this told the scholars that 1
had come there to teach them-to help
them to an education which should fit
them better for the various paths in life
they might be called upon to pursue. l
pictured to them the educated man
and woman in contrast with the ignor-
ant, and urged them to weigh well the
considerations l gave them. 1 called up
all my powers of imagination and SIM
plification in portraying the happy
results of education. ''And, said l, ~
have come to help give you this educa-
ton, If you only receive it. And in
order to gain it properly-in order to
have profitable school we must have
order and regularity. We must all
behave properly. Now am sure you
don't know so much of arithmetic, geog-
raphy, history, grammar, and other
branches OF common schools as l do;
consequently / feel it my duty to impart
to you all the information upon these
subjects that can. You certainly know
how to behave. You know how to
behave properly - how to be quiet,
studious and peaceable. If there is a
scholar present who does not know how
to do this, will be or she rise ? am in
earnest. If no one rises l shall consider
that have an assurance from each and
every one of you that you know how to
behave properly in school,"
l waited some moments, but no one
arose. But could sec that Mr.. John
Putney was uneasy. He seemed to be
fearing that was compromising him
in advance of his will However, /