The Portland daily press., 1881-10-04
Arthur as a School Teacher.
How the President of the United States
Managed the Boys.
Hroy Times.l

In the year 1858 the writer attended the DIS
trict school at Cohoes The high department
did not enjoy very enviable reputation for be-
ing possessed Of that respect due from the pu-
pills to the teacher. During the year there had
been at least four teachers in that department,
the last one only remaining one week. Inc
Board of Education had found it difficult to OBJ
tain pedagogue 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, though ne
was previously informed ol the kind OF timber
he would be obliged to how. Promptly at
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"
Having called the morning session to order, he
said that he had been engaged to take charge
of the school. He came with his mind preJu-
diced against the place. He had heard OF the
treatment of the former teachers by the pupils,
vet he was not at all embarrassed, for he felt
that, with the proper recognition OF each oth-
ers rights teacher and scholars could live to-
gether in harmony. He did not intend To
threaten, but he intended to make the scholars
obey him, aud would try and win the good will
of all present. He had been engrged to take
charge of that room, and he wished the coop
Grafton 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
at least show to the people 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 wears made him such 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 Oh
the leading spirits in past rebellions.
The work of the forenoon began when LAD
of Is placed marble between his thumb and
finger, and, with a snap, sent 1t rolling across
the floor. AS the tall and handsome teacher
saw this act he rose from his seat, and, with ,ut
q word. walked toward the lad. Get up. sir,
he said. The lad looked at him to see If he
were in earnest; then he cast his eye toward
the large boys to see if they were not going to
take up his defence. Get up, sir, SAID the
teacher a second time and he took him by tue
collar of his Jacket as if to raise him. The lad
cow he had no common man to deal with and
he rose from his seat "Follow me, sir" calmly
smoke the teacher, and he led the way toward
the hall, while the boy began to tremble, won
dering If the new teacher meant to take him out
and kin him. The primary department was pre-
inded over by sister of the new teacher, and
is to this room he led the young transgressor:.
| Turning to his sister he said: II have pupil
| for you; select seat for him, and let him re-
main here If he makes any disturbance what
aver. inform me-" Turning to the boy he
aid: sYoung man, mind your teacher. and
a. not leave your seat until l give permis-
sio,,," and he was gone. The lad sat there,
feel alg very sheepish, and as misery loves COM
nany It was not long before he was gratiied to
Zee fb.e door open and observe his seatmate en-
ter far wifi, the new teacher, who repeated the
nravions orders. when he quietly and with dig
nitv with h&rew.
A1Ty The mn vab aber was subsequently increased to
three the teacher returning each time without
a word to Il ,e other scholars concerning the
dsnosition n ,sde of the refractory lads. The
effect upon th o rest OF the school was remarka-
he AS no in umation of the disposition of the
boys was given, not shade OF anger displayed
on the coEntens nee of the new teacher, nor
anv appearances of blood noticeable upon his
ha1ds sneculatio was rife as to what he had
done with the thr, 70 chaps. lie spoke Kindly TO
ali smiled apon tn scholars who did well in
tbe;r classes and Sc emed to inspire all present
with the truth of his remarks uttered at the
onaninJ of the session. At recess the mystery
tbat had enyeloped the school was cleared
away. for the three lads in the primary depart
ment were seen as the rest Of the scholars filed
hv tha door While all the rest enjoyed the
recess. the three lads were obliged to remain
in their seats and when school was dismissed
for the forenoon the new teacher entered the
urinary room, and was alone with the young
offenders. He sat down by them, and like a
father talked kindly and gave good advice.
No parent ever used more fitting words nor
more impressed his offspring vito tie ttuess
thereof than did the new teacher Dlsmlssing
them. he told them to go home, and when they
returned to school to be good boys.
That afternoon the boys We're IN their seats
and in two weeks time there was not scholar
| in the room who would not do anything the
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 but without
| avail. His reply was 81 have accomplished
| all intended, namely, conquered what you
| thought was wild lot of boys and received
| the discipline required. regret leaving my
4 charge for have learned to love them, put
4 am to enter a law office at once"
( That teacher was Chester A. Arthur, now
| President of the Unitod States; the teacher OF
| the urinary department was his sister, now
| mrs Haypesworth, and the first of the three
| refractory BOYS was the writer. When it was
| Announced that our beloved teacher was to
\ leave us. many tears we're shed by his scholars
\ and as a slight token of our affection we pre-
! sented Kim with an elegant volume OF poems