The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-30
MY EXPERIENCE IN s0HO0L-TEACH-
ING


country districts of Texas Although
there were over sixty pupils
cans, Germans and Irish-and more
than two-thirds of these were boys OF
from fourteen to twenty wears of age
yet there was only one who gave seri
Gus trouble. The rest We're good
hearted, though rough and mischie
loving
boarded with an American family
named Pelter, who lived about half Z
mile from the school house, and haC
come from the North some years before
They were the only really intelligent
people in the town.
The Peters, as well As others in the
town, were very doubtful of my ability
to control the school-or rather, to con
troll the one refractory pupil-Petel
Croly.
Two months passed by, however
without any sign of trouble. l began to
think that the difficulties that had been
predicted for me would never arise.
Peter, who had before made trouble
was a strong, burly fellow who came to
school for no other purpose than to ere
ate disturbance and ''turn the teacher
out, as he repeatedly said to the
children he would do.
One afternoon there was loud knock
at the school-house door, and when
opened it, in stepped Mr.. Hugle, q man
who was known far and wide for his
pedantry and his ignorance. just be-
fore the close of school he arose, and
saving he had few remarks to make,
he walked, with a most important air,
mp the aisle, mounted the platform. and
making sweeping bow, first to the
school and then to me. began to air his
knowledge as follows:
Children, you all come here to be
dedicated. Eddication is a fine thing to
have-a very fine thing. I've got a
purity good eddication myself (here
was heard an audible litter from the
SCHOOL,. ''Tm able to read newspapers
(mine that he had borrowed, but had
forgotten to return) land | extract
hours of pleasure from them. You all
want to get larnin' enough to read
papers, and larn somethin' about the
world we live in, and the great river
which commences in Canada and flows
south into the Atlantic Ocean" (Here
heard another titter).
Its names Missippy - Missippy
River. Some people say the world 5
round; but don't you believe it. it's no
such thing; it's flat, and / can prove it..
Ii twas round, how could YOU walk on
it? You'd tumble right off, just as you
would if you'd try to walk on ball il
twas big enough.
After airing his knowledge for about
twenty minutes, the would-be teacher
turned to me and said
Miss Somers, | don't think we can
get them maps you wanted; maps cost
too much money, and they amt much
account after all. I don't see no need
of having any. In my day, | never see
a map hangin' up in school-room, and
what's good MUCH for mes good nough
for my children.
did not consider it necessary to
argue the matter with the ignoramus,
as | knew it would be OF not the slight
est avail, but maps | would have and
did have, though bought and paid for
them out of my own pocket--an act
which | have never had cause to regret
/ labored most earnestly, with ready
hand and willing heart, for the advance
ment of those placed under my charge,
knowing full well how limited were
their opportunities for an education
under the present condition of affairs.
My pupils were apt and willing to learn
and possessed of very retentive memo
ries.
One morning, few moments after
the bell had rung, | was seated at my
desk, busily engaged in correcting pa
pers from the previous days examina-
ton, when ! heard a low mumbiing
sound, as of some one talking aloud,
just above II whisper.
''Is that YOU, Minnie Croly?'1 asked.
sD1 he 10 i
You NAV come and sit on this stooi
for half All hour | continued.
The child started to obey, and had
rot half way to the stool, when her
Brother Peter rose and came forward to
where / was sitting. | rose also and
stood confronting him.
'Yor are not going to abuse my sister.
miss" said the burly fellow.
Take your seat, sirn | answered,
sternly.
He made no reply, but stood ready to
strike me. | knew that he was base
enough to do it, for the winter before he
had given the teacher, who was man,
a sound thrashing, and then kicked him
out of doors. | knew that my being a
woman would not make the sIsehtest
difference to the unprincipled fellow.
So when saw what his intention was,
quick as thought brought into requisi-
ton a trick which / had learned in
childhood, and at which / had never
been foiled. | put my foot out and
tripped him; he fell fiat on his face. and
seemed for moment as if stunned.
Before he had time to rise, dozen
boys had sprung from their seats and
come forward.
John Hidden took him by the legs,
while Louis Tompson lifted him by the
shoulders. and they carried him from
the house, with Charley Monroe follow
ing and giving an occasional punch.
All this took place in far less time
than it takes to tell it. The greatest
excitement prevailed in the school
room: the children rose in their seats,
some Stood on their desks, and one lit
file thing screamed out at the top of her
voice, .sMurderI Thievesl Murder!
Thieves"
Such ridiculous exclamation, at
such d time, upset my gravity com
pletely, and / laughed aloud. A few
moments later I saw the ugly form OF
Peter Croly sncaking past the window
towards his home.
I do not think, for all his cowar dIy
that he actually woula
Il -. l. l. an SCHOOL