Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-07-13
TIVE SLIM TElcErR.
Grro,n the San Francisco chronicls.)

earnin' that's required in n school
teacher, but II wants more than learnin'
10 make man able 30 teach school in
Cranberry Gulch. You'll soon find that
out II you try. We've had three who
tried IL on. One lays there in the grave
yard another lost his eye, the last one
opened school and left before noontime
for the benefit OF his health. He hasn't
been back since. Now. you're a slender
build, and all your learnin' will only
make IL worse, for all our young folks
are roughs and don't stand no non
sense"
This was what one of the trustees of
the district said 10 my friend Harry
Flotoe, when lac made application for the
vacant position Of teacher.
"Let me try. know am slender,
but / am tough aud have strong
will, said Harry.
Jest as you like. There's the school
house, and / II have notice given il you
want it done, said the trustee.
IL do, said Harry, "and IN open
next Monday at 9 a. M"
The notice was given, and there was n
good deal Of excitement in the gulch
and along the Yuba fats. More than
fifty young people Of both sexes made
an excuse to drop into the tavern 10 get
a sight at the fellow who thought he
cou.d keep school in that district, and
many a contemptuous glance fell on the
slender form and youthful face of the
would-be teacher.
Eight o'clock on Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotoe went down to
the school-house with key in one hand
and a valise in the other.
Ready to slope il he finds we're too
much for him" said cross-eyed, broad
shouldered fellow of Is.
The school-house was unlocked and
the new teacher went 10 his desk. Some
of the young folks went 10 see what he
was going TO do, though school was not
called.
Harry opened his valise and took out
a large belt. Then, after buckling il
around his waist, he put three Colts navy
revolvers therein with six barrels, and
bowie-knife eighteen inches in the
blade.
Thunder he means business r.
mutterea the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out square
card about four inches each way, walked
10 the other end of the school-house
and tackled it up against the wall. Re
turning TO his desk, he drew a revolver
from his belt, and, quick as thought,
sent ball after ball into the card, till
there were six balls in a spot not much
larger than a silver dollar.
By this time the school-house was half
full of large boys and girls. The little |
ones were afraid TO come in.
Then the teacher walked half way
down the room with a bowie-knife in
his hand, and threw il with so true
hand that it stuck quivering in the CEN
ter Of the card.
He left it there and quietly put two
more of the same kind in his belt and
reloaded his yet-smoking pistol.
"Ring the bell 1 am about to open
school"
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy-the
bully of the crowd-and the boy rang
the bell without word.
1.-THE scholars will take their seats 1
open school with a prayer" he said,
sternly, five minutes later.
The scholars sat down silently, almost
After the prayer the teach
er cooked a revolver and walked down
ON the floor.
"We will arrange the classes" he
said, "all who can read, write and spell
will rise. OF them we will form the
first class.
Only six got up. He escorted them
10 upper seats, and then he began to
examine the rest. A whisper was heard
behind him. In second he wheeled,
revolver in hand
"No whispering allowed here !" he
and for an instant his 70,
yolver lay ON level with the cross-eyed
boys head.
"I'll not do 40 any more" gasped the
bully.
"See you do not. never give
second warning, said the teacher, and
the revolver fell.
II took two hours TO organize the
classes, but when done they were well
Then came recess. The teacher went
out too, for the room was crowded and
hot A hawk was circlinR overhead high
in the air. The teacher drew his re-
volver, and the next second the hawk
came tumbling down among the won
dering scholars.
From that day on Harry kept school
for two years in Cranberry Gulch, his
salary doubled after the first quarter, I
and his pupils learned 10 love as well as /
respect him, and the reyolyers were out I
Of sight within a month.
They had found man at last who
could keep school. This is fact
|