Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-04-13

''What d you try to kill my boy fer?
Without giving me time to reply, she
proceeded to abuse, growing more ex-
cited every moment.
well, let me tell you," she continu-
ed, shaking her ponderous 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-house over your headi Dye
hear what / say?" she shrieked.
made no reply to this abuse, as
considered it useless to do so. So far
she had made no use of profane Ian
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, a
tall, slim boy of sixteen, rose indignant
ly from his seat, and told the woman he
would not permit such language used
in his fathers house. He told her she
had better take herself off.
This threw her into greater passion
than ever; she seized the boy by his
coat-collar and shook him as if he had
no more weight than an infant
"I'll have none of yer sass, young
mani" she screamed. "Jest keep yer
tongue in yer head, will YEP" and with
another terrific shake, she let the daZed
and bewildered boy 90.
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, and 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 ncighborhood, served two
terms in the pcnitentiary.
Tompson, John Hidden and Charley
Monroc-laid a secret plan to sleep
nightly in the school-house, expecting it
to be set on fire, and determined if pos
siblc to catch the culprit in the very
act About nine O'Clock on the evening
after Croly returned, they crept to the
building, provided with ropes and
blankets, the former touse 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
unlike anything they had ever partici-
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 a very
light sleeper, was awakened by low,
crcahing noise, as of some one trying
to raise Il window, softly
He quickly aroused his companions,
who were on the alert in an instant.
A moment later II sound was heard,
as of some light bundle thrown into the
room. Then they were sure they heard
a nan trying to draw himself through
the window
II was an unusually dark night, and
nothing could be discerned at yard S
distance. To Judge by the sound of the
mans footsteps, he had moved to the
farther corner of the room and was
making Il slight rustling noise.
Hes brought some shavings along"
George whispered in a low key.
"fIush!' whispered Charley, and
nothing more was said.
Suddenly there was Il flash of very
bright light, shooting up nearly to the
ceiling.
With bound and u yell the four
boys sprang toward the man, whose
form was now plainly visible in the
glaring light.
Without even stopping to look around
he made 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 n heavy thud on to the
floor.
He fought like u tiger, but was soon
bound hand and foot. Lou Tompson
eNtinguiShcd the flames while George
Pclter ran home after his fathers team,
with which he soon returned.
The boys placed their prisoner in the
wagon and conveyed him TO the house
of Mr.. Peltcr. 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 neighborhood few days after,
and | heard nothing more concerning
them during my stay in Texas. Their
departure was hailed with delight by
all, and peace and quiet We're again
restored in both neighborhood and
school
| left for my Northern home, and no
tidings ever reached me concerning my
Texas friends until eight years later.
| was travelling on an caStern-bomd
railway train, when a Young gentleman
of fine appearance came up and spoke
to me. Ireplicd 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 Il pupil of
mine during the winter | taught school
in Texas.
greeted him warmly and invited him
to share my seat, which he did. He
then told me that his home was still in
Texas, but that he was at present study
ing law in distant city.
George Pelter, he said, had gone to
California, and was reported to have
become rich. Louis Tompson had taken
my old place, and proved to be a very
successful teacher; while Charley Mon
roe, though young, was rapidly rising
physician, and had located in the near
est Sllage.
Many others there were that he spoke
of, but rs their names have not been
mentioned in this narrative. it would
not interest the reader should | bring
them forth now. Suffice it to say. there
were but few in all of those sixty who
had attended my school, whose names
could not be mentioned with pride.
And the district, from having one short
term of school during the year, could
now boast of having rs many terms as
any school in the State.-ida II. Rob
ertS, in Youths Companion.
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