The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-04-05

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vent about openly rejoicing over the 500
work that he had wrought among them.
4 But his eyes must have been painful
opensd two mornings later. When. sfi'
eoolly informing him that this thing VI
played out the young rascals seized hin
aud carrying him into The woods. boun
bin fast 10 the top OF Young birch tree
which they had ben. down by mai
strength. and then let II so.
The poor man was hurled upward an
left dangling fifteen feet from the ground
and II Was two or three hours before hi
distressed shouts brought him assistance
Legal punishment for this act was threat
ened, but ] am sorry 10 say that this threa
was not acted upon.
There was no more school that winter
A sign. ITO Let" was nailed by the boy
on the front door Of the school house. ant
each one Of tho brutal clique made Il /
point to smash pane Of glass every tim,
he went past. Asa result the temple o
science on Kaidger Hill was soon in de
plorable condition.
The following autumn . young land
surveyor named Ammi Bray came into th,
township to run certain lots OF wild land
The people liked his appearance. Hi
was rather above medium height and mus
cular; but his most Distinguishing feature
was his eyes. which were very noticeably
blue. and had habit Of dwelling with un.
usual steadiness upon any person with
whom he was speaking. When he had
been at the Hill few weeks the school
agent asked him one day whether he had
ever taught school.
"Never, replied Ammi Bray.
"Well, don't keer II yer never didF'
exclaimed the agent. II want ye to take
our school this winter.
"But, my dear man. replied Mr.. Bray.
'it would not be from sll accounts good
place for an amateur. Besides, though /
know something OF mathematics aud once
knew little grammar and geography. I
do not feel qualified to teach.'
II dou't knows keer il ye don't know
B from bulls foot" exclaimed the per-
plexed agent. "What I want is q man
that ken whop them confounded boys!
Thar neyer'll be no school here till they
are whopped and cowed. And / believe
yon're the man to do it. But | tell ye
what, ii. .sv'rc parcel Of hyannys" he ad
led almost do,,. .htfully. Il dunno some
Zines as the man ws,'ks who can whop
~"
A umi Bray took day to thin loi ~;
hen lie told the gratifed agent thar he
,ould ia ke the school. This was in No.
ember. The winter term began on the
rst Monday in December.
Thus we find the young surveyor on his
'ay to the log school house that Monday
,orning. Just rounding the turn by the
lders, as Nat Durfee said, and the XI1g.
! boys waiting to salute him.
And the moment he showed his face IN
40 door they salnted him. From doE-
a lusty throsts was poured forth n cho-
rs OF raspy whi ilings and coarse brays-
personal insult to his peculiar name of
ray.
But Ammi walked in quite coolly, and
semed not at all disturbed. He paid no
ttentioa to the brayings, but took posses
on OF the masters desk, and presently
llled the school to order. bidding them
/ choose aud take their seats for the
rm. But his steady blue eye was so as
'rtive Of his authority that somehow the
aidgers were little disturbed them
Ives.
Something, perhaps, in the the muscu.
I ease with which the new master tossed |
10 great fore-sticks and back-logs into
le broad fireplace served to hold them
check that day. Then. too, his manner
giving and hearing lessons was direct
I'd manly. For once they felt hesitation
beginning the war For the next four
ays following their first mutinous salute
icy we're impelled to behave quite we'll.
ut il would never do to let him rule a
hole week Their reputation as the
master holsters in the county
as at stake.
The eighth Of December was one Of
rose bitterly cold days which sometimes
avn on Northern New England at this
ason. A cold wave had come down over
ght. That morning the thermometer In
Gated fourteen degrees below zero, and
e wind blew piercingly keen.
1t was cold walk to tho school honse,
ID on his arrival there Master Ammi
und matters in anything but pleasant
satisfactory condition. Apparently the
mney had refused its ordinary function.
y TO Wtb uo uthuBut' AuO hooh W"
I OF smoke and the children stood shiy.
u,y and coughing before the hre place.
RI five large boys above mentioned
70 sitting on the front benches pretend
: 10 study; but 8, ,mething in their man
r c,,used the mast er to feel that mischief
IS in tended.
This Is bad fire Tor 80 cold morn |
Z" he remarked. Who laid it?"
"Jote Yates,v exclai med Sally Briggs.
"And ii teens 10 be stuffed
. But it can't be thAs any things in the
imney,' she added sarcastically. "for ]
y Jote on the roof locking into it as
me along to school"
Something in the chimneyf" repeated
Q master innocently. What can il be?'
He saw the trap at once, bnt for reasons
his own he chose 70 walk into II. and
,oping forward be got partly down on