The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-02-11
In a Southern School House.

L was ankee SCDOOl-teaCner way
down South. l was young and full of
zeal. My scholars caught my en-
thusiasm. We were having happy
session." Three weeks Of the term
had passed. Affairs in the school-room
were going smoothly and pleasantly.
Not harsh word had been spoken.
at is really delightful" l wrote to
my sister. Southerners have been
misrepresented. / never saw Massa-
chusetts pupils so willing and eager as
these scholars of mine. / have found
the paradise Of school-teachers. The
girls are as sweet as their garden roses,
and the boys are manly and true"
But slight cloud soon appeared in
the sunny sky. A new scholar came on
the fourth Monday. He was from
" Pleasant Valley" he said. He " had
kept school, but wanted to be learned
little more" He was tall, red-haired,
administered, blue-eyed and blushing.
"He'll give me no trouble" / said to
myself; but / had yet to learn the ways
of the world, and of southern noun
tain-boys.
On Tuesday morning 1 was in my
usual place, and had my first word of
reproof to say. / fastened to utter it
as soon as the opening devotions were
ended.
"Young gentlemen, the one who
takes care of the house tells me that
some of your places are covered with
filthy tobacco-juice. l am sorry that
any of you use the nauseous weed. l
feel sure that you will grant my request,
and leave no marks of this bad habit
upon the floor Of our school-room.
A pleasant smile and a nod ran from
face to face around the room, and l
felt that my request would be gladly
heeded-by all save one, at least. The
face of the new scholar showed beneath
its bushes a trace of mortified pride
and sulky self-conceit.
"He's well-named Stamper," said
Katie Knight, as she walked home
with me at noon. " He stamps round
as though he owned all creation and
the niggers."
Gle needs to have a little more
knowledge stamped into his bushy
head" 1 thought; but l said not a
word to Katie.
On Wednesday morning, Stamper's
place was covered with tobacco-juice.
Stamper's eyes were on his book.
Stamper's fingers were busy with
" the United States rule" Stamper's
teacher was thinking of her broken
rule, and wandering whether Stamper
carried pistol.
" You heard my request yesterday,
young gentlemen" said, in trembling,
yet determined voice. cit must be
Obeyed. Gentlemen do sometimes
smoke and chew. / have seen them do
it, and have been sorry for it; but one
thing / am sure of-no gentleman
would make filthy school-room floor
after he had been requested by his
teacher to do otherwise"
Nothing more was said. Stamper
stamped out. He did not come back
that day.
"He went down to Willow Dell SEM
mary" said John to Kate, after school.
g Says he'll show the Yankee school.
marin how to call him no gentleman u
On Thursday morning the devotions
were pleasant but solemn. The teach.
er's voice was trembling and earnest
Stamper was in his place. He looked
triumphant and snapped his blue eyes
as much as to say, "She won't dare tC
touch mel"
Mr.. Stamper." / said, after few
moments of quiet study; and a few
glances in particular direction made
every one suspect that something un
usual was coming. Mr.. Stamper, viii
you rise?'
Mam?" said the astonished six
footer
E" Will you please arise?"
He arose. Will you tell me VIII,
you left school without permission, yes
terday?"
Reckon I'd better not" he a
length stammered.
g wish to know why. | happen t.
be the teacher of this school-the one
who makes its rules. Why did you
leave school without permission, yes
terday? Why did you not return?"
Cause we calledme no gentleman
Are you gentleman?'
Reckon be-"
" Do gentlemen annoy ladies?"
ono, man."
Well, sir-gentleman or not
give you ten minutes to apologize an,
remove the filth from your place or yol
may leave this schoOl-hOuse and not re
ouih ou al a oiidlli SChtlCiiidu5 W
want no such here"
Stamper's face grew redder than hi
hair. His blue eyes showed shade o
green. He looked round upon the I'm
sympathizing scholars. He looked u
at the determined little teacher. II
was conquered. The filth was removed
in spite of many suppressed giggles.
81 humbly ask your pardon. II
try to keep your rules, and heap NOR
if you make 'em. You've got might
good pluck, and I've been as mean a
an abolitioner. III study right smar
the rest of the session.
Stamper broke no more rules. III
chewed no more tobacco. He becam
one of my best pupils, and helped
make that dear old school-room sum
spot in my memory.
All, but she did give me the be'
taking down ever had, " he said, man
years AFTER "Never learned bette
lessonl How mean looked to myself
resolved, then and there, to be shal
gentleman no more. "-Joundl Of Ed,
cation.
THERE is sOmpthinp divine in III