The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-08
In a southern school-house.

WHAT IS S6Qllemdul a geOtlo lnAU. In
all that he does he has consider ion Tor
others. 1t is very possible that he can not
take of his hat to a lady with as iine grace
as some men who have the veneer OF polite
ness but are selfish and brutal at heart. 1t
is the intention, the sincerity, the hearth
ness of the man or boy, which tells whether
he be really gentleman or only the coun.
terheit ana the sham. 1t com etiBes happens
that young men have true polteness in their
souls, but need rough shaking to bring il
out. That was the case with the young fell
low of whom lady writes in the Journal Of
Education She says:
was Yankee school-teacher way down
South. ! was young and full OF zssl. My
scholars caught NV enthusiasm. We were
having happy session. Thrse weeks of the
term / ad passed. Affairs in the school-room
were going smoothly and pleasantly. Not a
harsh word had been spoken.
lit is really delightful" | wrote TO my
sister. "SoutheTDers have been misrspre-
scented. / never say Mssss chusests pa pills so
willing and eager as these scholars OF niue.
have found the Paradise of school.teachers.
The girls are as sweet as their garden roses
and the bows are manly and true.'
But slight cloud tenn appeared in the
sunny sky. a new scholar came on the
fourth Monday, He was rom Pleasant
Valley" he said. He had kept school, bat
wanted to be learnt little more" He was
tall, red.haired, red whiskered, blue.eyed
and blushing HE'LL give L no trouble"
said to myself, but had yet to learn the
ways OF the world, and of Southern noun
tain boys.
On Tuesday morning was in my usual
place. and had nv first word of reproof Co
say. j fastened to utter 1t as soon as the
opening devOtions were ended
Young gentlemen, the one who takes
care of the house tells me tina. some of your
places are covered with filthy tobacco Juice.
am sorry that any OF you use the nauseous
weed. feel sure that you will grant my
| request and leave no marks of this dad habit
upon the floor of our school-room."
a pleasant smile and nod ran from face
to face around the room, aud felt that my
request would be gladly heeded-by all save
| one, at least. The face OF the new scholar
showed beneath its bushes trace of morti
fed pride and sulky self conceit.
He's well.named Stamper," said Katie
Knight as she walked heme with me at noon
He stamps round as though he owned all
| creation and the niggers.'
He needs to have a little mora knowl
edge stamped into HE bushy head"
| thought; but l said not word to Kate.
On Wednt sdsy morning. Stamper's place
was covered with tobscco-juice. Stamper's
eyes were on his book. Stampsr's fingers
were busy with the United States Rule u
Stamper's teacher was thinking OF her bro
ken rule, and wondering whether Stamper
carried pistol.
You heard my request yesterday, young
| gentlemen" | said in 4 trembling, yet deter
| mined voice. ut must be obeyed. Gentle
men do sometimes smoke and chew. j have
seen them do Ii, and have been sorry for it;
| but one thing am sure ONO gentleman
| would make filthy school room floor after
he had been requested by his teacher 10 dc
| otherwise"
Nothing more was said S.amper stamp ped
| IA M hQrl hat Il
He went down TO Willow Deli Semi
nary" said John TO Kate. after school
Says hell show the Yankee schoolma I'm
how 10 call him no gentleman"
! On Thursday morning the devotions were
pleasant but solemn. The teachers voice
was trembling and earnest. Stamper was In
his place. lie looked triumphant and
snapped bis blue eyes os much as TO say
"She won't dare to touch me-"
"Mr. Stamper." / slid, after n lew mo-
ments OF quiet study; and few glalces In
a particular direction made every one sus-
| pecs that smething unusual was c0ming.
'Mr. Stamper, will you rise?n
"Mam?' said the astonishsd SIX .footer.
"Will you please to arise?"
he arose. will you tell me why YOU left
| school without permission yesterday"
Reckon I'd better not" he at length
| stsmmered.
II wish to kuow why. happen to be the
The ruler. Why dad you leave school with
out permission, yesterday, Why did you
| not return
"Csuse ye called me no gentleman
Are you a gentleman
Reckon be.'
DO gentlemen annoy ladies9'
No, man."
We'll, sis-gentlemsn or not-I give you
ten minutes TO apologize and remove the
| filth from your place or you may leave the
scboolhouse and not return. You are q
sham gentleman; we want no such here"
Stamper's face grew redder than his hair.
His blue eyes showed shade OF green. he
looked round upon the unsympathizinr
scholars. He looked up at the determined
| little teacher. He was conquered. The filth
was removed in spite OF many SUPPRESSED
| giggles.
II humbly AJAX your pardon. I'll try to
| keep your rules, and a heap more IL you
make 'em. You've got mighty good pluck
| and I've been as mean as an abolitioner. I'll
| study right smart the rest of the season."
| Stamper broke no more rules. He cAewed
| 40 more tobacco. He became one of my be
| pupils, and helped to make the dear old
school.room sunny spot in my memory.
"Ah, but she did give rue the best takius
down l ever hsd,r he said. many wears after
Never learned a better lesson How mean
| looked to myself! j resolved, then and
there, to be sham gentleman no more"
Earning Her Way.