Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-06-09
learned enough to assure me of several i'm
poItant facts. In tile first place, each suc-


learned enough to assure me of several i'm
portant facts. In the frs, place, each suc-
oeeding teacher bad gone into the school
house with the firn belief that he had got
to Gght his way through. The very feeling
had served to exotic bis couibatigeness, so
that his first position to the scholars was an
autagonistio one. The result had been in-
evitablo. At fighting tho large scholars
were handy; they had prepared for it aud
expected 1t, and consequently werd easily
led to on exhibition of their pugnaoious
qualities. a
o. the next morning went to the school
house lit.lo earlier than tho usual hour for
commencing. found tho building nearly
now and looking clean and neat. I liked
chat. went in aud arranged my books on
the desk. Mr. Bonney had given me the
key to his desk, at the same time informing
mo that he believed there were some i'm
plements there might neod. found
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, moreover
son who might see it flourish about in the
hands of q superior. It was not alone. 1t
had companion in the shape Of long,
stout, heavy "raw-hide," as they arc called
sometimes. lot them remain III the
desk.
| At nine 'clook I rang the hand bell with
which my host had supplied me, and the
scholars all took their seats The school
was full, and as gazed carefully around, I
was pleased with the appearance Of most Of
the scholars. They were oomey, intel
ligent set for such place. But among the
larger boys were some faces which wished
to study.
John Putney and Stephen Oliver had
been so thoroughly described to me that
recognized them The moment put my eyes
upon them. They were two hard looking
customers, especially the ffomer. Putney
| was tall and stout, with head and shoul.
ders not unlike those of bull. He wore
scowl upon his face, and seemed to lean
back in his seat like ono who hold sway
over all around. When first came to him
10 my sweeping glance I caught bis eye.
Ho tried hard to keep up his gaze, but 10 a
very few seconds his lids trembled aud bis
eyes sank. l knew could conquer him in
some way.
Stephen Oliver was not 50 tall as Putney,
though some said he was stronger. But he
was better man. His facc was more
intelligent, and no seemed to havo some
pride.
AS soon. as all was still made few re-
marks; opened my desk and drew forth
tho ponderous ferulo aud raw hide.
"Do these belong to aly ono Of tho
school?" | asked, holding them up
No one answered. l then asked Lydia
| Bonney if she knew to whom they belonged.
She said she belived their last teacher
brought them. I then stepped down and
put them in the stove.
After this told the scholars that had
come there to teach them-to help thom to
an education which should fit them better
for the various paths in life they might be
called upon to pursue. pictured to them
the educated man and woman 10 contrast
with the ignorant, and urged them to
weigh we'll the considerations gave them
l called up all my powers of imagination
and simpIi6caton. "Aud morc," said l,
ri have come to hclp give you this eduoa-
ton, if you will only receive it, And in
order to gain it properly-in order to have
profitable school, we must have order
aud regularity. We must oil behave prop
erly. Now, am sure you do not now SO
much OF arlthmetlce, geography, history,
grammar, and other branches of school cd
uoation as do; consequently feel it my
duty to impurt to you all the information
upon these subjects which can. But
believe of that other qualification of a
scholar you know as much as l do.
You certainly know how you ought
to behave. You know how to behave prop
erly-how to be quiet, studious and peace
able. lf there is scholar present who
does not know how to do this, will he or
she arise? am in earnest. If no ono
rises, l shall consider that have on assu-
rance from each and every one of you, that
you know how to behave properly in the
school,"
l waited some minutes, but no one arose
But could see that MIR. John Putney was
uneasy. He seemed to be fearing that l
was compromising him in advance of his
will. However, | appeared not to notice
him.
every WE'LL" said I, with graceful
smile, ~ thank you for your assurance
And now / am going to place the govern
ment OF the school at your disposal You
are all voters, and wish you to exercise
tho privilege. Shall we have, during the
coming three months, an orderly, mod
school? All 10 favor Of that will hold ur
their right hands"
The girls commenced first. "Come," I
urged, 81 want you all to vote one way OF
the other. | shall think all who do not
vote on this side mean to vote on the other
All up?" BY this time every right haod was
up save Putnoy's and divers. The latte,
had got his hand half up, when saw
Putney catch ii by the elbow and pull i,
bauk.