The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-04-19

''Well, let me- tell you she continu-
ed, shaking her ponGerous fist in such
close proximity to my nose, that it made
me tremble for the future existence OF
that useful ornament, ''people needn't
think they're going to beat my boy to
death, least of all woman! Jest wait
till my man gifts home; he's comm
Saturday; he'll burn your dirty old
school-hIouse over your head! Dye
hear what I sayP" she shrieked.
[ made no reply to this abuse, as [
considered it useless to do so. So far
guage, but at this juncture she broke
into fearful storm of oaths; swearing
in the most shocking manner at me, at
Mrs. Pelter for permitting me to remain
in her house, and at the children for
going to school to such mean woman,
who did nothing but murder people.
Mr.. Pelter' was absent, but George,
tall, slim hoy Of sixteen, rose indignant
ly from his seat, and told the woman he
would not permit such language used
III his fathers house. He told her she
had better take herself Cff.
This threw her into q greater passion
than ever; she seized the boy by his
coat-collar and shook hiTR as if he bad
no more weight than an infant.
'Tll have none of yer sass, young
mani she screamed. t'Jest keep yer
tongue in yer head, viii YEP" and with
another terrific shake, she let the dazed
and bewildered boy go.
Still shaking her fist in an angry
manner, she Backed out of the door,
saying she was going to catch that Lou
Tompson, John Hidden and Charley
Monroe, ard teach them not to beat her
boy. But the boys, knowing what to
expect, kept well out OF her way, and
she never had the satisfaction Of wreak-
ing her vengeance upon them.
There was considerable excitement IN
the neighborhood, lest damage should
be done to property in the night time by
old Mr.. Croly, who was ~ desperate
character and had, previous to his COM
ing into the neighborhood, served two
terms in the penitentiary.
Four boys = George Pelter, Louis
Tompson, John Hidden and Charley
Monroe-laid secret plan to sleep
nightly in the school-house, expecting it
to be set on fire, and determined if pos
sible to catch the culprit in the very
after Croly returned, they crept to the
building, provided with ropes and
blankets, former to use in securing
their prisoner, and the latter to serve as
a bed
The situation was novel and pleasing
to the boys, because it was so wholly
uRlike anything they had ever partiei-
pated in before. The time was passed,
until sleep overcame them, in telling
stories and relating anecdotes they had
either heard or read.
About twelve o'clock of this same
night Lou Tompson, who was very
light sleeper, was awakened by low,
creaking noise, as of some one trying
to raise window, softly.
He quickly aroused his companions,
who were on the alert in an instant.
A moment later a sound was heard,
as of some light bundle thrown into the
room. Then they We're sure they heard
man trying to draw himself through
the window
1t was an unusually dark night, and
nothing could be diseerned at yard 8
distance, TO Judge by the sound OF the
mans footsteps, ne had moved to the
farther corner of the room and was
making slight rustling noise.
''He's brought some shavings along"
George whispered in low key.
''Hush!'' whispered Charley, and
nothing more was said
Suddenly there was a fash of very
bright light, shooting up nearly to the
ceiling.
With bound and yell the four
Il ~
form was now plainly visible in the
glaring light.
Without even stopping to look around
he made y frantic leap, and succeeded
in getting part way out of the window,
when John, who was foremost, seized
him by the legs and pulled him back SO
that he fell with heavy thud on to the
floor.
He fought like tiger, but was soon
bound hand and foot. Lou Tompson
! extinguished the flames whilo George
Pelter ran home after his father,s team,
with which he soon returned.
The boys placed their prisoner in the
| wagon and conveyed him to the house
| of Mr.. Pelter. from whence he was taken
| to the nearest town the following day,
where summary justice was dealt out to
him.
The remainder of the Croly family
| left the neiohborhood few days after,
and l heard nothing more concerning
| them during my stay in Texas. Their
departure was hailed with delight by
all, and peace and quiet were again
restored III both neighborhood and
| school.
l left for my Northern home, and nc
tidings ever reached me concerning my
Texas friends until eight years later.
/ was travelling on an eastern-bound
railway train, when a young gentleman
Of fine appearance came up and spoke
to me- | replied that / could not recall
his name, though his face seemed
strangely familiar.
He said that his name was John Hid
den, and that he had been a pupil O
mine during the winter l taught schoo
in Texas.
greeted him warmly and invited hin
to share my seat, which he did. HI
then told me that his home was still il
Texas, but that he was at present study
ing law in a distant city.
George Pelter, he said, had gone tt
California, and was reported to have
become rich. Louis Tompson had takel
my old place, and proved to be yer.
successful teacher; while Charley Mon
roe, though young, was a rapidly rising
physician, and had located in the near
est village.
Many others there were that he spok
of, but as their names have not beer
mentioned in this narrative, it woul'
not interest the reader should | brin!
them forth now. Suffice it to say, ther
were but few in all of those sixty VIII
had attended my school, whose name
could not be mentioned with pride
And the district, from having one shor
] Il = 1 MI