The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-05-01
the new SCHOoLMASTRR'.
BY B. P. sHILLAHER.


:that was strange school at Rocky
Vauey-a perfect democracy-for the
scholars always had their own wav. and
settled the matter with utmost prompts
ness regarding their teachers. If they
hked HIM good; if not, down with him.
The consequence was that the teachers
in the Rocky Valley school had not sue
ceeded very we'll in advancing the minds
OF the youthful republicans entrusted to
their charge. The boys acted their own
pleasure about study, and never
troubled themselves much whe Their they
learned anything or not-at any rate,
the schoolmaster didn't care to lick 'em
in case of failure. At last the parents
as they saw the proficiency their boys
were making, looked into the matter
little, and being shrewd and sensible
people, guessed at the difficulty. They
at once advertised for a new teacher,
and distinctly specified that he must
possess nerve and spirit, understood by
the very expressive term, backbone.
Several presented themselves for trial.
Young students came, with excellent
recommendations, but they stayed only
d day or two. They could not stand
the ridicule and opposition they had to
encounter. There were large boys in
school, and the teacher measured the
muscular Development of the scholars
in his es'i nate Of the chances of success
in tho eve It Of struggle. 1t was
queer stat, of things in Rocky Valley.
The boys were not really malicious
boys. and naturally bright and capable,
but their leader, lad of about sixteen,
was hard case-the master of them all
by compassionate held sway over
them as absolute as the grandest mon-
arch in the world holds over his SUBJ
lects: They acknowledged his power,
and believed him invincible. It was
his word that decided the professional
fate of all the teachers.
After gears bootless trying to Sc
cure teacher, one made his appearance,
passed examination creditably, and was
excepted by the school committee. A
notice was placed on the door of the
church, that school would commence on
the Monday following under the charge
of Mr.. Judson, and the minister read
the notice from the pulpit. Specula-
ton was rife as to the new teacher, and,
as few had seen him, many questions
were made with regard to him. The
boys held special caucus, at which,
Of course, Bill Brown was moderator
and it was voted that the new master
must be put down, as it was the best
fishing season, and the books would
interfere with the sport of the brooks.
On Monday moring the boys were
seen moving in small knots towards the
school house, busy with plans of opera
tons.
II wonder how big he is ?" said Seth
Goodwin; I hope he isn't one of themsav-
age fellers."
II don't care how big he is, nor how
savage he u.s." if he don't walk Spanish
before the week Is out then miss nv
guess"
II don't know how we are to learn
anything if we don't have teacher"
said little voice of the number.
"You shut up said the leader. II
don't want to hear anything like that
again."
The boy was silent and they walked
on, still talking of their new teacher,
unaware of the close proximity of deli
cate looking stranger, apparently about
twenty years old, who was walking in
the same direction as themselves. They
approached the schoolhouse, and when
they got there, they became conscious
Of the presence of the pale young imam
in their midst.
Good morning, my lads" said he,
smilingly; Eve are to begin new ca
reer together to-day, and I sincerely
hope We shall like each other. will
try everything in my power to please
you that is CONSTANT with duty, and I
shall expect the same from you. Iwish
you to regard me as your friend at the
commencement. and I shall certainly
act from friendly feeling. I like your
appearance, and believe we shall find
little trouble in agreeing"
The speech evidently made an i'm
preston, but Bill Brown went round
whispering, "that's all bosh, for I see
the shape Of cowhide in his pocket"
which awakened as he expected it would
a combative spirit in all that he spoke
to. They went into the school; the
boys,took their places, and the master
mounted his tripod. But little was
done in the morning The restlessness
OF arrangement-getting used to the
hoolhousc-produced confusion, and |
the commencement CT business was de-
ferred till next day. The school was
6Ic1 Of
ars separated-the former with IN i'm |
preston that he had vigorous and
bright set of boys to manage-a little
hard in the mouth, perhaps, but who
could be tractable-and the latter that |
the teacher could be managed by the
persuasive force of strong arms but |
that it was best to wait
and see how things would work.
They came together with the same
feeling next morning; classes we're
formed, and all preliminaries settled.
and everything commenced as happily
as need be desired. The teachers heart !
was happy in the thought of his success,
when, glancing down through land of
boys, he detected an improper gesture
from Bill Brown, and saw it repeated,
even though the boys eyes he knew,
were fixed upon his own.
Young man, come up here" he said
in q gentle but firm tone.
Brown looked round upon his COM
panions, and with fierce movement of
bravado left his seat, and approached
the master.
II expect spirit of obedience in my
school, my young FRIEND" said the
teacher, "and I shall insist upon it,"
II don't care what you expect"
growled the young rufian; I should
like to see you help yourself"
The teacher bit his lip, while his face
whitened, especially as he heard
snickering laugh spread among the
scholars, but he showed no other SIGNS
of temper unless it might have appeared
in his eye.
"Will Won return tn v011r scat md no.