Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-04-19
MY EXPERIENCE IN sOHOOL-TEAOH-
ING.


there were over sixty pupils-Ameri-
cans, Germans and Irish-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-
Gus trouble. The rest were good
hearted, though rough and mischief
loving.
| boarded with an American family
named Pelter, who lived about half 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 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-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 strong, burly fellow who came to
school for no other purpose than to Gre
ute 4 disturbance and ''turn the teacher
out" rs he repeatedly said to the
children he would do.
One afternoon there was q loud knock
ut the school-hOuse door, and when
opened it, in stepped Mr.. Hugle, man
who was known far and wide for his
pedantry and his ignorance. Just be-
fore the close of school he arose, and
saying he had few remarks to make,
he walked, with q most important air,
up the aisle, mounted the platform, and
making q 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
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) ''and I 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 l
heard another titter).
Its names Missippy = Missippy
River. Some people say the world
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
it? You'd tumble right off, just as you
would if you d try to walk on ball if
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 aint much
account after all. / don't see no need
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"
did not consider it necessary to
argue the matter with the ignoramus,
rs | knew it would be of 1ot the slight
est avail, but maps l would have and
did have, though l 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 mumbling
soand, as of some one talking aloud,
Just above q whisper.
''Is that you, Minnie Croly?" I asked.
YES, ma'am," replied the little girl.
''You may come and sit on this stool
for half an hour I continued.
The child started to obey, aud had
got half way to the stool, when her
brother Peter rose and came forward to
where was sitting. l rose also and
stood confronting him.
''Yor are not going to abuse my sister,
miss!'' said the burly fellow.
''Take your seat, STRIP / 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,
~ SOIAI1l GuIstSllll4Ss anu lutu h1Ch6u ulul
out of doors. l knew that my being q
woman would not make the slightest
difference to the unprincipled fellow.
So when saw what his intention was,
quick as thought brought into requisi-
ton a trick which l had learned in
childhood, and at which I 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, a 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, ana 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 creates
excitement prevailed in the school
room; the children rose in their seats
some stood on their desks, and one lit
tie thing screamed out at the top of hel
voice, Murder! Thieves! Murder
Thievesr'
Such ridiculous exclamation, a
such time, upset my gravity com
pletely, and / laughed aloud. A few
moments later saw the ugly form O
Peter Croly sneaking past the window