The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-04-19
MY EXPERIENCE TN SOHOOL-TEACK-
ING.

II EAPERlEEUG In SUHUOL-IEAUH-
ING.
1t is now many years since was en-
gagged to teach the school in one of the
country districts of Texas. Although
cans, Germans and lrish-and more
than two-thirds of these were boys of
from fourteen to twenty years of age,
yet there was only one who gave seri-
ous trouble. The rest were good
hearted, though rough and mischief
loving.
l boarded with an American family
named Pelter, who lived about haE a
mile from the school house, and had
come from the North some years before.
They were the only really Intelligent
people in the town.
The Pelters, as we'll as others in the
town, were very doubtful Of my ability
to control the school-or rather, to con-
troll the one refractory pupil-Peter
Croly.
Two months passed by, however,
without any sign of trouble. I 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 Gre
ate disturbance and 'sturn 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 l
opened it, in stepped Mr.. Hugle, a man
who was known far and wide for his
pedantry and his ignorance. Just be-
fore the close of school he arose, and
saying be had few remarks to make,
he walked, with a most important air,
mp the aisle, mounted the platform, and
making a sweeping bow, first to the
school and then to me, began to air his
knowledge as follows:
Children, you all come here to be
eddicated Eddication is fine thing to
haye-a very fine thing. I've got a
purity good eddication myself (here
was heard an audible litter from the
SCHOOL,. 'I'm 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 rive1
which commences in Canada and flows
south into the Atlantic Ocean" (Here
heard another titter).
''It's names Missippy = Missippy
River. Some people say the worlds
round; but don't you believe it, it's no
such thing; it's flat, and can prove it.
If twas round, how could you walk on
itP You'd tumble right of, just as you
would if you'd try to walk on a ball ii
twas big enough y
After airing his knowledge for about
twenty minutes, the would-be teacher
turned TO me and said:
Miss Somers, l don't think we cnn
get them maps you wanted; maps cost
too much money, and they ANT much
of having any. In my day, never see
map hangin' up in school-room, and
what's good 'nugh for mes good 'nough
for my children.
L did not consider it necessary to
argue the matter with the ignoramus,
as l knew it would be of not the slight
est avail, but maps l 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.
labered most earnestly, with ready
hand and willing heart, for the advapce-
ment of those placed under my charge,
knowing full we'll how limited were
their opportunities for an education
under the present condition of affairs.
Ny pupils were apt and willing to learr
and possessed of very retentiVe memo
ries.
One morning, few moments aftel
| 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 mumblins
sound, as of some one talking aloud
! just above a whisper
'.Is that you, Minnie Croly?' l asked
Yes, ma ana, - replied the little girl
''You may come and sit on this stoo
for half an hour / continued.
The child started to obey, and hat
got half way to the stool, when he
brother Peter rose and came forward Il
whereI was sitting. l rose also ant
stood confronting him.
''Yor are not going to abuse my sister
miss!' said the burly fellow.
"Take your seat, sir!" l answered
sternly.
He made no reply, but stood ready t.
strike me. I knew that he was bas
enough to do it, for the winter before h
had given the teacher, who was man
sound thrashing, and then kicked hin
out Of doors. / knew that my being
woman would not make the slightes
difference to the unprinoipled fellow.
SO when | saw what his intention was
quick as thought / brought into requisi
ton trick which | had learned il
childhood, and at which / had neve
been foiled. l put my foot out AM
tripped him; he fell fiat on his face, an
seemed for a moment as if stunned.
Before he had time to rise, dezel
boys had sprung from their seats an
come forward.
John Hidden took him by the legs
while Louis Tompson lifted him by tn
shoulders, and they carried him fror
the house, with Charley Monroe follow
ing and giving an occasional punch.
All this took place in far less tim
than it takes to tell it. The creates
excitement prevailed IN the schoo.
room; the children rose in their seats
some stood on their desks, and one lii
tie thing screamed out at the top of he
voice, Murder! Thieves! Murder
Thieves!''
Such a ridiculous exclamation, g
such time, upset my gravity con
: pletely, and 1 laughed aloud. A fey
moments later 1 saw the ugly form {
Peter Croly snsaking past the windo'
| towards his home