The Princeton union., 1881-09-29
THE SLIM TEACHER.

THESLIM TEACHER.
How He Managed the school at Cranberry
Gulch.
From the San Francisco Chronicle
Mister, no doubt you: have all the lsarn-
in that's required in school teacher, but
it wants more than learnin' to make man
able to teach school in Cranberry Gulch.
You'll soon find that ont if you try. We
have had three who have tried it on. One
lays there in the grave yard; another lost
his eye; the last one op penea school and left
before noon time for the benefit of his
health. He hasn't been back since. Now
you're slender build, and all your learning
will only make it worse, for all our young
folks are roughs and don't stand no nom
sense.
This is what the trustees of the district
said to my friend Harry Flotoe. when he
made application for the vacant position as
teacher.
Let me try. I know I am slender, but
1 am tough, and have q strong will, !"
said Harry.
Jest as you like. There's the school
house, and I'll have notice given if you
Il 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 made On ex-
cuse to drop into the ave1n 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 youth
fal face of the would-be teacher.
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.
Ready to slope if he, finds we are too
much for him" said a cross eyed, broad
shouldered fellow Of eighteen.
The school house waa 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 called.
Harry opened his valise and took out .
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.
Thunder! he means business p muttered
the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took outa 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 revolver from his
belt, and as quick as thought sent ball after
ball into the card, till there were six balls
IN spot not much larger than silver dol
lar.
BY this time the school house was half
full of large boys and girls. The little
ones were afraid to come in.
Then the teacher walked half way down
the room with bowie knife in his hand,
and threw it with so true hand that ii
stuck, qu1veling, in the center of the card.
He left it there and quietly put two more
his yet smoking pistol.
Ring the bell; 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; I open
school with prayer" he said sternly five
minutes later.
The scholars sat down silently, almost
breathless. After the prayer the teacher
cooked q revolver and walked down on the
floor.
We 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. In second he wheeled, revolver in
hand
mo whispering allowed here!" he thun-
dered, and for an instant his revolver lay
on a level with the cross-eyed boys head.
"In not do SO any more," gasped the
bully.
"See you do not. I never give second
warming" said the teacher, and the revolver
fell.
It took two hours to organize the classes,
but when done they we're we'll organized.
Then came a recess. The teacher went
out, too, for the room was crowded and
hot. A hawk was circling overhead high
in the air. The teacher drew his revolver,
and the next second the hawk came tum-
bling down among the wondering schol-
ars.
From that day on Harry kept school for
two years in Cranberry Gulch, his salary
doubled after the first quarter, and his pu-
pills learned to love as well as to respect
him, and the revolvers were out of sight
within month.
They had found man at last who could
keep school. This is fact.