Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-01-04
THE SLIM TEACHER.

Mister, no doubt you have all the
learning that's required in schooi
teacher. but it wants more than learn
in, to make man able to teach school
in Cranberry Gulch. You'll soon find
that out if you try. We've had three
who tried it on. One lays there in the
graveyard; another lost his eye; the
last one opened school and left before
noontime, for the benefs of his health.
He hasn't been back since. Now
you're slender built, and all your
iearnin' will only make it worse, for
all our young folks are roughs, and
don't stand no nonsense.
This was what one of the trustees
of the district said to my friend Harry
Flotoe, when he applied for the vacant
post of teacher.
Let me try. l know that l am
slender. but am tough and have a
strong will,' said Harry.
Jest as you like. There's the school
house and I'll have the notice given II
you want it done,' said the trustee.
4 do, said Harry, and III 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 fats. More than
fifty young people of both sexes made
an excuse to drop into the tavern to
get sight at the new fellow who
thought be could keep school in that
district, and many a contenptucus
glance fell on the slender form and
Youthful face of the would-be-teacber.
Eight O'Clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotoe went down to
the school house with key in one
hand and valise in the other.
Ready to slope, if be finds we're too
much for him. said cross-eyed broad
shouldered fellow of Is
The school-house was unlocked, and
the new teacher went to his desk.
Some of the folks went to see what be
was going to do, though school was
not called
Harry opened his valise and took out
q large, belt. Then, after buckeling 1t
around his waist, be put three Colts
navy revolvers there, each six barrels,
and bowie-knife eighteen inches IN
the blade.
Thunder he means business y NUT
tered the cross-eyed chap.
1.-THE new teacher now took square
card about four inches each way, walk
ed to the otherssend of the school-house
and tackled it up against the wall. Re-
turning 20 his desk he drew a revolver
from his belt, and, quick as thought,
sent ball after ball into the card, till
there were six balls in spot not much
larger than dollar.
By this time the school-house was
full Of half grown boys and girls. The
little ones were afraid to come in.
Then the teacher walked half way
down the room with bowie-knife in
bis hand, 'and threw it with SO true a
hand that it stuck quivering in the CEN
tire of the card.
He left it there, and quietly put two
more of the same kind in his belt and
reloaded his vet smoking pistol
Ring the bell; l am about to open
school,
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy, the
bully Of the crowd, and the boy rang
the bell.
The school will take their seats; /
open school with prayer he said,
sternly, five minutes later.
The scholars sat down silently, al
most breathless. After the prayer the
teacher cooked revolver and walked
down on the floor.
We will arrange the.. ....classes,' be
said All who can read, write and
spell willsrise. Of them we..will form
the first class
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 a second he
wheeled, revolver il hand
No whispering allowed herep he
thundered, and for an instant his re-
volver lay on level with the cross
eyed boys head.
1'll not do SO any more' gasped the
bully.
See you do not. l never give a
second warning said the teacher, and
the revolver fell
It took two hours to organize the
classes, but when done they were all
organized.
Then came recess. The teacher
went out to; for the room was crowded |
and hot A hawk was circleing over
head, high in the air Tie teacher
drew his revolver, the next second the
hawk came tumbling down among the
wondering scholars
From that day on Harry kept
school for two years in Cranberry
Gulch, his salary doubled after the first
quarter, and bis pupils learned to love
as well as to respect him, and the re-
volvers were out of sight within
month.
They had found man at last who
could keep school. This is a fact