The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-07-13

Brown. Brown il tie catt,e-kiay OF the
county and had Just sta,ked Off ground
for big corral. lie had employed m
Irishman who had been a NAVY on tine
railroad to dig the ditch for the pickets,
at so much per cubic yard of earth ex-
cavated. He wanted to find on. exact
ly how much his bill would be and he
asked Miss Green. She told him. This
closed the examination. The trustees
consulted a few minutes and gave her
the school.
''She lasted month";. Smith mixed
his sheep dip according to her figures
and ran through his flock. The next
day the herders reported sheep dying
and. despite every effort to save the
woolly animals, they continued to drop
off until his flock was diminished one
third. He learned then that the dip had
been made about three times the re-
quisite siren 9TH The schoolmarm's
figures had lied and Smith was furious.
Jones made out his lumber bill and sent
the order to the merchant. The amount
ordered was large one, but Jones was
good and, after some little delay, his
order was consigned to him. 1t took
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he nearly went crazy when he found
that there were enough shingles alone
in the consignment TO cover half the
houses in the county and joists and
planks enough for the new State Cap
itol
1.-TWO years ago was employed and
have been here ever since. l like the
place and the people, and. if say it
myself, have school to be proud Of"
The children were beginning to ar
rive as he finished speaking and he in
vited ME to stay and inspect the school,
There were about fifty pupils, varying
in age from 7 to 90. All over 16 were
pay scholars. Two-thirds Of the school
were Mexicans or half-breeds. The lat
ter were the brightest and the quickest
to learn. Many of the children could
not understand word of English when
they first entered the school and were
unable to read and write Spanish. For
my benefit several OF the scholars re-
cited little memoriz,d speeches in both
languages. thought the performance
very creditable and told the schoolmas-
ter SO that night.
yes" he answered, ''they do very
well. Did you notice that large boy
sitting at the further laft-hand deskp"
1.-The one who recited 1.-The Burial of
Sir John Moore in English and then re-
peated it in SPANISH"
''Yes. Twoyears ago he did not know
his A, b, C's.."
"He must be 20 years old"
"Just 20, and at Is he was as large
as he is now. His father is wealthy
cattle owner and this boy is the only
child. He had been petted and spoiled
from birth. In the States that would
make 'sap; here it makes desperate.
He ruled the roost at home and his faith
er could do nothing with him. He ours
ed and smoked, gambled and drank,
and always went armed. His father
wanted him to enter the school as pay
scholar and consented to receive him.
He did very well tho first three days and
then was absent. sent note to his
father inquiring the cause. He replied
that the young ruffian refused to go any
more, and adjured ME to use my author
ity and compel him to go. One of the
smaller scholars informed me that the
truant was out on the side of the noun
tain armed with Winchester and sig
shooter. l sent him word to come into
school and be punished for truancy. He
told the messenger to tell me to go to
hades.' Ideputized four of the largest
boys to 90 after him, and ordered them
to bring him into school il they had to
knock him down and tie him. They re-
turned back in about half an hour and
reported that he had stood 'em off
with his Winchester. Thereupon l
placed the school in charge of one of
the larger scholars, loaded up my Win
chester and walked over to the noun
tain. After little search l found the
young ruffian. He was sitting behind
rock. and before he was aware of my ap-
proach had him covered.
Throw up your hands, Thomas!
I commanded.
"He hesitated a moment and obeyed.
Then l made him step off a little dis
lance and took possession Of his Win
chester and six-shooter.
"'What yer goin' to do?' he whincd.
80 intend to take you to the school
house, first, Thomas, and then punish
you in the presence Of the whole school.
"'Gimme my gun an six-shooter! he
yelled, and started toward me.
II raised and cooked my rifle and
halted him.
Thomas 1 said, you know that 1
am a dead shot. Do exactly what l
tell you to do or will kill you.
"He hesitated moment and then
marched snllcnly away toward the school
house. With the assistance of two of
the largest boys Il tied him up by the
wrists and administered an admonitory
lecture and a good thrashing with live
oak switch. He beloved like mad
steer and made all sorts of promises.
After the punishment ended dismissed
the school and released him. He was
sulky, but thoroughly cowed. talked
to him as man might talk to his son,
and before l finished he was on his
knees crying like little child and beg
ging my forgiveness. l have had no
trouble with him since. He is obedient
at home, studious here and some day
will make y mark in the world. Phil
| atlelDhin Times