Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-07-26

something Or faint, so she rang the
bell, though it lacked fifteen minutes
to nine. She began taking down the
names and ages Of her pupils, and by
the time this was completed, she
began to feel more at ease. She then
began examining the pupils in the
different branches, in order to assign
them to their proper classes. She
had finished the examination in all
the branches except the advanced
reading class, which was principally
composed of grown girls and young
men, among whom was the terrible
Jim Turner, of whom she had been
warned. -...,.... .....
Several of the members of the class
had read, and it was now the turn of
Moses Bradley, a huge, heavy set fell
low, with small, malicious eyes, and
a general air of ruffianism. When
he was called upon to read he did not
rise from his seat but he began to
read in thick, indistinct voice from
a book hidden in his lap.
"Mr. Bradley, will you please stand
up when you read ?" asked Alice.
81 can read just as we'll sittin'
down." replied the fellow with dog
ged air.
"But it is one of the rules in a
reading class to stand up to read"
said Alice, her heart quaking with
fear as she foresaw the incipient re-
bellion.
81 reckon you will have to make
new rule for me, then,' impudently
answered Nose glancing sideways at
his companions. with q grin of
triumph.
eff you do not obey me 1 shall be
obliged to punish you," said Alice,
bravely, though she could scarcely
stand up.
81 guess all the punishment you
could do wouldn't break any of my
bones" replied the rufian leering at
her impudently.
''But | can break your bones for
you, in half a minute, and III do it,
you don't stand up and read, as the
teacher asks you to-" said voice at
the other end of the class, and Alice
looked in that direction, and saw Jim
Turner step from the class and face
the astonished Nose.
Moses insolent manner abated in
an instant, his face turned pale, and
he muttered something about not
being "bossed by other boys but he
stood up as he was commanded.
Alice could have kissed her young
champion for very gratitude, but she
mustered all the dignity she could
command, and said:
"Mr. Turner, l cannot allow you
to interfere in the management of my
school; take your seat"
The youth obeyed without a word
but kept his eye on Nose, as il
watching for any delinquency. After
this little episode, the exercises pro
ceeded without interruption til
noon.
Alice had no appetite for dinner
She leaned her throbbing head upor
the desk and wondered wearily how
she could endure this.
| She was aroused by one of tht
little girls running up to her, auG
exclaimlng:
''Teacher, teacher, the big boys
are fighting"
She followed the child exclaiming
"Oh, why did l ever come into such
den of wild beasts ?"
At the rear of the school house
stood Jim Turner engaged in hand
to hand combat with Nose Bradley
and his two brothers, both of whom
were grown. AS Alice stepped
around the corner, Jim sent Nose
reeling to the earth, and then turned
like lion upon the two remaining
assailants. They rushed at him from
two sides, but Jim was as active as a
panther, and Bill Bradley fell as if
shot, from d left-handed blow, and
his brother Tom followed him in an
instant. By this time Nose had &C.
cured a ball bat and rushed upon
Jim, but the latter evaded the blow,
and wrenching the bat from his hand,
knocked Nose headlong with blow
of his fist.
AS the discomtitted trio arose, Jim
laughed lightly, and asked them show
they liked it as far as they had got"
picked up the bat he had taken from