The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-09-22
THE SLIM TEACHER.
How he Managed the school at Cram
berry Gulch.

earnin' that's required in a schoo
teacher, butt wants more than learnil
to make man able to teach stho0
IN Cranberry Guieh You'll soon fin,
that out, if you try. We've had the
who tried it on. One lays there il
the graveyard, another lost his eye
the last enc opened school, and left be
fore noondmeE for the benefit Of hi
thealth. He hasn't been back since
Now you're a slender build, and al
your learnin' will only make it worse
for all our young folks are young folks
are roughs and don't stand no non
sense"
This was Hhat one of the trustees
Of the district said to my friend Har.
ry FlOtoe, when he made application
for the vacant position of teacher.
"Let me try. 1 know lam slender,
but 1 am tough, and l have a strong
will, SAID Harry.
Jest you like. There's the school
house, and I'll have notice gwen if you
want it done" said the trustee.
II do" said Harry, "and I'll open
next Monday at a m.
The notice was given, and there was
a good deal of excitement in the gulch
and along the Yuba flats. More than
fifty young people of both sexes snlade
an excuse to drop into the tavern to
get sight at the fellow who thought
he could keep school in that district,
and many-a contemptuous glance fell
on the slender form and youthful face
Of the teacher.
Eight o'clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry FIotoe went down
to the school house with key in one
hand and valise in the other.
"Ready to slope if he finds we are
too much for him" said a cross eyed
and clustering, broad-shouldered fellow
of 18.
The school-house was unlocked, and
the new teacher went to his desk.
Some of the young folks went to see
what he was going to do, though school
was not opened.
Harry opened hIs valise and took
out a large belt. Then, after buckling
it around his waist, he put three Colts
navy reyolvers there. each six barrels,
and a bowie-knife. eighteen inches
in the blade.
"Thunderl he means businesT' NUT
tered the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out q
square card about four inches each way
walked to the other end of the school,
house and tackled it upagainst the wall.
Returning to his desk, he drew re-
volver from his belt, and quick as
thought sent ball after ball into the
card, till there we're six balls in a spot
not much larger a silver dollar.
By this time the school-house was
half full of large boys and girls. The
little ones were too afraid to come
in.
Then the teacher walked half way
down the room with a bowie-knlfe il
his hand, and threw it with so true q
hand that it stuck, quivering, in the
center of the card.
He left it there and quietly put two
more of the same kind in his belt anc
reloaded his yet smoking pistol.
"Ring the bell, I am about to oper
school"
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy, tn,
bully of the crowd, and the boy ranl
! the bell without word.
"The scholars will take their seats
1 open school with a prayer" he sai'
sternly FIVE minutes later.
The scholars sat down silently, al
most breathless. After the prayer tn
teacher cooked a revolver and wake,
down ON the floor.
ave will arrange the classes h
said, "all who can read, write an'
spell VIII rise. Ofthem we will form
the first class,
: Only six got up. He escorted ther
to upper seats, and then he began t
examine the rest. A whisper wa
heard behind him. In a second h
wheeled, revolver in hand
''No whispering allowed here" h
thundered, and for an instant the T,
yolYer lay on level with the eros
eyed boys head.
5 ''PIl not do 50 any more" gaspe
! tie bully
"See you DO not. I never give
e second warning" said Il
5 teacher, and then the rt
! volver fell.
!, 1t took two hours to organize Il
e classes, but when done they were we
. organized.
Then came recess. The teacht
-. a. Il Il