San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-11-10
the slim TEACHER.
How N nsssssA The sehssl At Grsabsrry Caleb.
o.. -. etss.. Qs.rsa

that required In SCHOOL teacnor, "ut
it wants moro than lcarnin' 10 make .
man able TO teach school IA Cranberry
Gulcb. You'll soon fine that ont II
you try. We've had three who tried it
ON. Ono lays there in the grave yard |;
another lost his eye; the last opened
school and left before noontime for the
benefit Of his health. He hasn't been
back since. Now you're slender build,
and all your learnin' will only make it
worse, for all the young folks are rough
anu don't stand no nonsense.
This was whit one Of the trustees OF
the district said to my friend Harry
Flotoe when he made application for
the vacant position Of teacher.
"Let me Try, know ] am slender
but l am tough and have strong
will." said Harry. g1,i,f
"Jest as you like. There's the school
house and I'll have the notice given it
you want it done," said the trustee.
II do" said Harry, "and III open
next Monday at 8 q. M
The notice was given and there was
a good deal of excitement in the gulch
and along the Yuba fats. More than
fifty young people OF both sexes made
an excuse to drop in at the tavern to
get sight at the fellow who thought
| he could keep school in That district
and many . contemptuous glance fell
on the slender form and youthful face
tof the would be. teacher. ~A go
Eight o'clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotoe went down to
the school house with Q key in one
hand and valise in the other.
,.".ReadSt to slope, if he finds we're
too much for him." said a cross-eyed.
broad shouldered fellow of eighteen.
The school house was unlocked and
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 valise and took out
a large belt. Then, after buckling it
around his waist, he put three Colts
navy revolvers there, each six barrels,
and bowie knife eighteen inches in
the blade, r4& D
"Thunder! he means business NUT
tered the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out a
square card about four inches each way,
walked to the other end of the school
house and tackled it up against the wall.
Returning to his desk he drew revolt
yer from his belt, and quick as thought
sent ball after ball into the card, till
there were six balls in spot not much
larger than silver dollar.
By this time the school house was
half full of large boys and girls. The
little ones we're afraid to come in.
Then the teacher walked half way
down the room with bowie knife in
his hand land threw it with SO true hand
that it stuck quivering, inithe center of
the card.
He left it there and quietly put two
more of the same kind in his belt and
reloaded his yet smoking pistol.
ring the bell! I am about to open
school,"
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy, the
bully of the crowd, and the boy rang
the bell without word.
"The scholars will take their seats; l
open school with prayer" he said stern
ly, five minutes later.
|. The scholars sat down silently, al
most breathless. After the prayer the
teacher cooked revolver and walked
down on the floor.
"We will arrange the classes" he
said: call who can read, write and spell
will rise. OF them we will form the
first class"
"Only six got up. He escorted them
to upper seats, and then began to ex-
anime the rest. A whisper was heard
behind him. In a second he wheeled,
revolver in hand"
"No whispering allowed here!' he
Numbered, and for an instant his re-
volver lay on level with the cross-eyed
boys head.
"I'n not do so any more gasped the
bully.
See you do not. I never give a