The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1882-02-02
"REMINISCENCES.
lC0ntinued from Page -

of the light cudgeleu INTO our uull un-
it would be lifting Orna-
ment, and the glory, if any, accorded TO
the much tried school master. The
Inner hour, when the keen hunger,
occasioned by five hours fast, could be
appeased from the fragrant dinner
basket hanging on the wall, was hailed
with the greatest delight, and the bal
ance of the hour was spent in various
active spOrts. On cold blusteTy day,
which required vigorous exercise in
order to keep warm, the game of black
man" OF wolf was played, all the boys
except the one who played wolf, were
collected at one base and the wolf at
the other. The cOllOquy between the
wolf and the sheep "hOO, hoo" "vO kTisht
de wolf, liver de line, ''vOs Wit du don"
"shafalin" being ended, was the signal
to start for the opposite base. Three
claps on the back by the wolf converted
the sheep into a wolf, each run augment
ing the wolf force until the last sheep
was caught, and many a long race they
had for it. Henry Perry being the best
runner in school often led the way In
long chase up the road, then across the
peach orchard, over the fields, back to
tlIe base, if not caught. Town" or
baseball was very popular, and the
occasional half day for spurt-glyen by
the master-was devoted to this game,
as was the game of corner BALI also,
in which latter game great skill at
tossing and lodging the ball was
acquired by some Ol the boys, both being
splendid games. Hole" ball was
little game much enjoyed when time
was limit d. The owner of the ball
placed it in a hole made with the heel
and designated who should take II up
and throw. A hit put the party out
In. Inn N
else. After each "misS" the ball was
again placed in the hole and so on until
but one remained, he being the winner.
Mr.. George tirubb, who taught the
school several winters in addition to his
many qualifications as a teacher was a
skillful bali player, and entered into
the game with ZeSt which made him
very popular with the boys, and in
which ali little npleaSantness" occur
ing in the school room from time to
time was IaTgOJten. one day the master
having won several games, third was
i'll progress, all being out except him
and John Sp I o., a wiry, lOng-necked,
freckle faced fellow, who was always
considered a little off whose turn it
was to deposit the bail i'll the hole, and
being no player, the game by ali was
considered won, and throwing himself
fiat on the ground ne twisted his long
neck around and awaited the 1nal mt
which was to close the game. Picking
up the ball the master holding 1t be-
tween thumb and finger not two feet
from the PROSTATE form, intending to
drop it onto him, but quick movement
evaded the ball and the game was lost.
This unexpected ult called forth
hearty laugh at the teachers expense,
but the fTOWn on his face and the inn
ppratiye call to books" although time
was not up by ten minutes, gave token
of a storm, which any farther laughter
might precipitute in a moment. In Mr..
Grub We're united many qualities of
heart which greatly endeared him to
his pupils, while at the same time he
was possessed of a sternness which for
bade any trifling. The stealthy cat-like
tread with which he moved around the
room. enabled him to take completely
by surprise some fellow whose miScl ief
his keen eye had detected, the first inti-
nation of his presence, being either a
sharp rap over the shoulders or seized
by the collar and dragged backward
over the bench and hauled up
to the masters desk, there to re-
ceive a lecture, his keen black eyes
into which he could throw a look of fe-
rOcity as he fastened them on the cul-
pTit-seemed to go through and through
as with pallid cOuntenance and knees
Gathering together he stood before the
Judgment seat. His tact in controlling
an unruly pupil may be illustrated by
the following: Attending school for a
number of winters was a bound boy
in the employ of Jacob Carte, who went
by the name of ABS Spidel. A more
restless, mischief-lOving mortal never
existed. Sandy-haired and freckled to a
degree which almost left one in doubt
70 ia hrtf oh frt1 oil
ready for work when directed by his
he deemed it great humilia-
tiOn to be "bOssed'' by the women of the
To remain absolutely quiet
for five minutes at a time was an utter
and with capacity to learn
up to the average pupil he made but lit
tie progress. His Testlessness became
greater as the day advanced, and it
rarely passed that he did not furnish
occasion for the master to "dust his
jacket" which he looked upon as a mat
ter of course and endured with the stole
ism of an Indian. 'Darf ich nous was
heard from cabs" as often as prudence
would allow. He got ''dry" and visited
the water bucket Oftener than any one
else at making ''snOOts' he was "A sue
,ess, and frequently after getting a
sound thrashing no sooner was the
masters back turned than he would
cause a smile over the whole school by
sticking out his tongue and making the
most hOrrid grimaces. Pulling some
)ne's hair, splitting a quill and placing
t across his nose, cTOOking a pin for
JOme lucklesS fellow to sit on, sticking
pin from the inside of the heel Of his |
hoe through the tack-hOle left by the |
little effort would enable |
lim to reach some urchin on the same |
)ench as he hung pretty we'll back over |
,he seat, raising him with suddenness
which suggested some more than Ordi-
1arily powerful motive. So many We're
his pranks that he became the scapegOat
Of the school, and in consequence he
doubtless received more than one pun
of which he was undeserying.
Jacob Carte for several winters was tried
beyond all endurance with his pranks
in school, and many methods of punish
ment were resOrted to in order to bring
him under control, to all of which he
manifested the utmost Indifference.
Sitting with the girls he rather enjoyed
on top of a bench on one leg
for half an hour at time he considered
a good joke, compelled to stand on one
leg and reach over with extended arm
and finger pointing at a knot in the
floor, he would close one eye as though
taking aim and to shame the knot by
his inimitable grimaces. Everything
failed from winter to winter to bring
ABS" under proper discipline Mr..