The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-01-23
CONQUERED AT LAST.


i THINK the WOist set Oh boys ever
heard OF were the Hickory Point boys.
Teacher after teacher had cndeavored
to teach the district school there, only
to be either whipped or badgcred 50 that
each was ready 70 give up before six
months had passed. The boys fought
or inundated the male teachers. and
annoyed the female teachers. until, I'm
ncrved and utterly broken down. they
took their departure, shaking the dust
of the Point from their feet. The day
arrived when no teacher made applica-
ton for the vacant school, and the
Hickory Point parents were anxious
and disturbed at the state OF things.
II don't know what we are going to
do with them boys of ourn," Deacon
Jones said to Deacon Savage. They
amt bad boys for work. nor for play
ing. but the moment they get on them
school benches. with books in their
hands, the very evil one seems to get
inter 'em. All the Point boys pattern
after them. and a very bad pattern i Is.
as you know. Brother Savage. They
seem to be determined not to be in any
school. and I'm worn out furnishing
Zach. 1t don't seem TO do him any
good"
That is 90, Brother Jones. I'm sor-
~ for it. but it's so. Didn't punish
my Abe fur whipping young Winter,
and did that make him any better? No.
just think what he did TO that last
school-ma am that old maid, Miss
Brown
Deacon Jones. IL he was deacon,
had keen sense OF the ludicrous. and
he laughed aloud. II declare. can 1
help it.' he said II laugh every time
| think Of how that poor woman came
into my house, with her false front all
singed 40 you could see bald spots I'M
derncath. and the hair behind crisped
and smelling ike burned feathers.
Just look ut me. Mr.. Jonesr she
cried. just see the work Of that mis-
able Abe Savage and your son! They
came pretty nigh burning me up, sir.
NV back hair was all in blaze before
knew that II was on fire. And they Just
laughed. instead Of putting II out
demand satisfaction, sir, for the out
rage
swell, we did have to pay well for
that frolic.' MIR. Savage answered,
dolefuly. s.But she was too high
tempered and cxcitabic TO be school
teacher Folks that are always flying
into pieces can't manage boys, any
way."
We've had all kinds Of teachers,
Brother Savage. II isn't the teachers,
but the wickedncss Of the boys them.
selves. Why. YOU know we've had good
and bad-tcmpcrcd teachers, young and
old, mild and cross. and how long did
any Of them stayP I'm discouraged,
and shall not try 10 get another teach
or. Zach may 20 without an education,
and I'LL give him one behind pillow. II
he don't work, I'll whip him. md that !
all ] can do"
Mos, OF the parents Al the Point
adopcd this plan. The boys were sci
TO work in the fields. the barns and the
stables. and kept steadily AZ Il. They
were allowed no holidays and no recrc-
atoms, and before six weeks had passed,
they began TO look back with regret Il
their detestcd school-days. and TO wish
them back again. Even their ringlcad'
ers did not hesitate to confess this.
II don't have a moment for any kind
Of fun Abe Savage grumblcd. Pas
always at my heels; and when he ISM
there, mas Just like a Watchdog. It's
Abe, do this, or Abe. you do that,
until fairly dcspisc my own name
Why. even Sunday, II walk down tho
road, I'm called back.
They're treating us in this way just
TO pay us for making IL uncomfortable
for the teachers, 7" Zach said, gloomily
~ know it's that, though they dom
saw 50. But I don't care. I'm not 90
ing back TO school"