The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-20
A FIGHTING PUPIL.


 
 lOpie P. Read, in New York Mercury.l
 It must be gratifying to the governor of Arkansaw to notice the rapid leaps the cause of education is making in this state There are still quite a number of legis- lators who are unable to read with elecu- tionaEy effect and write with fine Italian flourish; but in the main. the rising young men of the country have harvested the ability to drop the k in cabbage and cucumber. Devotion to honesty and truth, however, compels me to admit that in some localities the k still abounds, bu, these communities are becoming fewer every year. Many aspiring people have become discouraged, but more hope ful than the rest, except the governor, who shares my belief, am firm, despite the fol- lowing distressing letter recently received by the state superintendent of public in- struction:
 My DEAR SIR-lnclosed please 6nd the certificate which you so generously granted me few months ago. When threw up the practice of the law at Ink Bayou, in const quence of my clients having been sent to prison for manufac- turing wild cat whisky, and agreed to en- ter the glorious vineyard of education, thought that my efforts would meet with immediate appreciation but my dear sir, have been whipped by yellow haired scapegrace that had better keep out of my way, now that have loaded a shotgun and cooked both barrels. opened school in the Coon Ridge dis RkA | k.r merous troubles. Every pupil insisted upon using different book. Abe Spell CTS, a yellow-halr gawk, at least six and A half feet tall, brought a large volume entitled Recent Examination Into the Social Condition of the Aztecs."
 "Mr. Spoilers" said l, "this book won't do.n
 "Whut's the matter with her ?" he re- piled.
 "The book is all right, but it is de- signed for advanced students"
 Wall"
 "lt would be better for you to study easier books at the start and take this one up during the homesiretch."
 That's the book I've fotch, cap'n, an that's the book I'm goin' ts larn."
 SAn you tcau
 "I ain't a rattler a, readin', but ken spell like hell CT beatin' tan bark"
 You must not talk that way. You must use respectful language or I'll put you out"
 This amused him. Running his great red fingers through his yellow hair, he laughed and winked at pug nose fellow who sat on a stool.
 4 You say you can spell"
 "That's what 1 loved. kain't spell hoss-hy at one trial, but ken knock the socks offen con the first pop"
 We'll, spell corn?"
 K-o-r-n, co'n."'
 That's not right"
 Who said so ?'
 "I say so."
 "Who are you f'
 @I am the teacher of this school"
 "An' you say that ain't the way to spell it."
 "Yes, that is what say"
 "WhAr's your proof?"
 Here," and turned to the dictionary. "The teller what made that book ain't got as much sense as my daddy an my daddy says k-o-r-n. Here's the proof and he took letter from his pocket and referred me to the following: Abe SC that the korn is all gethered an then you may go to skule."
 "Whut you got to say nov
 "Your father is wrong"
 "Whatp that was all he said, but taking me by the hair he lifted me from the floor, slammed me asaihst the wall, threw me up, kicked me as came down, knocked me out and landed me in briar patch. This, my dear superintendent, has satisfied me that teaching school is not a pleasant business. To make it a success in this part of the country all es- tablished rules must be abandoned. f have been rash, please excuse me. fl have been too severe on Mir. Spoilers, please forgive me, but don't forget to give the certificate to sone able-bodied man who can handle a maui.
 Yours,
 PROFESSOR JOHN WILKINS.
 The superintendent read the letter during a meeting of the state board of public instruction, and quite a number of patriotic citizens were depressed by it, but the governor, taking into considers- ton that the had been dropped from cabbage and cucumber, has cause to feel grateful at the high steps taken by the cause of education.