Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-15
THE SLIMTEACHER.
HOW HE MANAGED THE SCHOOL AT CRANBERRY
GrLCH.

From the San Francisco Bulletin.
Mister. no doubt YOU nave all the learnins
THAT required in a school teacher but n wants
more than leanin' TO make a man able 10 teach
schooi IN Cranberry Gulch- You'll soon nnd
that out II You try. We've had three who tried
IL on. One lays there in the graveyard: another
iost ms eye; the last one opened school and len
before noontime for the benefit of his health
tie hasn't been back since. Now you're plen-
der build, and all your learnin will only make n
worse. for all our young folks are rouyhs. ana
don't stand no nonsense"
This was what one OF the trustees of the dr.
trict said to my friend Harry Flotoe when ne sr-
Piled for the vacant post OF teacher.
Let me try. know am slender. but ,m
tough and have strong will !" said Harry.
Jest rs you like. There's the schooi-house
and I'll have the notice given If you want =
done, said the trustee.
81 dc, said Harry. land III open next Mon
day at am.
The notice Was given and there was q ccoa
deal OF excitement in the gulch and along tao
iuba hats More than fifty young people Of
both sexes made an excuse to drop into tAe
tavern 70 get sight at the fellow who thour1f
he could keep school in that district. and MANY \
| contemptuous glance fell on the slender form
and youthful face of the woud-be teacher.
Eight O'Clock on Monday morning came. ana
Harry Flotoe went down to the school houso
| with key in one hand and a yalise in the
| other.
Ready to slope. if he finds we're too much
for him, said cross-eyed, broad-shouldered
fellow OF 49,
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 q large
belt. Then after buckling il around his waist,
he put three Colts navy revolvers there, each
SIX barrels, and bowie knife Is inches in tn
blade.
''Thunder. he means business" muttered the
| cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out square card
about four inches each way, walked 10 the Other
ehd OF the school house and tackled il up againat
| the wall. Returning to his desk he drew q
revolver from his belt, and quick as thoughk
sent ball after ball into the card till there were
dollar
By this time the school house was half fun a
large boys and girls. The little ones were afraid
| to come i'm.
Then the teacher walked half way down tAs
room with bowie knife i'm his hand. and threw
| y Win SO true hand that it stuck, quiyerinG.
| in the center Of the card.
He left it there, and quietly put two more q
| the same kind in his belt and reloaded his yse
smoking pistol
Ring the bell; am about to open school,.
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy. the bully q
| the crowd and the boy rang the bell
The scholars will take their seats: opea
school with prayer" he said, sternly, i've m,a-
utes later.
The scholars sat down silently. almost breath
less After the prayer the teacher cooked a re-
| yolyer and walked down on the floor.
I'VE will arrange the classes" he said. "All
who can read: Write and spell will rise. OF them
We will form the first Glass;
Only six got up. He escorted them to upper
| seats, and then he began to examine the rest A
| whisper was heard behind him. La q second he
wheeled, revolver in hand
| mo whispering allowed here" he thundereA
and for an instant his revolver lay on a levei
with the cross-eyed boys head.
| III not do SO any more" gasped the bully.
see you do not i never give a second warn
| ing" said the teacher and the reyok or fell
1t took two hours to organize the classes but
| when done they were all organized.
Then came recess. The teacher went out. ton
for the room was crowded and hot hawk
was crcling overhead, high i'm the air. Tho
teacher drew his revolver. and the next second
the hawk came tumbling down among the Won
| dering scholars.
From that day on Harry kept school for two
years In Cranberry Gulch; his salary doubled
after the first quarter. and his pupils learned to
| love as well as respect him. and the revolver
We're out Of sight within month.
| They had found a man at last who could keen
| school This is a fact.