The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-03-06
THE NEW S%CHOOLMlSTER.
BY B. P.

scholars always hau Inelr own Way, and
settled the matter with utmost prompt
ness regarding their teachers. If they
liked him good; if not, down with him.
The consequence was that the teachers
in the Rocky Valley school had not sue
ceeded very well 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 whether they
learned anything or not-at any rate,
the schoolmaster didn't care to lick EN-
in case of failure. At last the parents
as they saw the proficiency their boys
were making, looked into the matter a
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
O 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 estimate of the chances of success
in the event Of a struggle. 1t was q
queer state of things in Rocky Valley.
The boys were not really malicious
boys, and naturally bright and capable,
but their leader, a lad of about sixteen,
was a hard case-the master of them all
by conquest-and held a sway over
them as absolute as the grandest mon
arch in the world holds over his sub
jects. They acknowledged his power,
and believed him invincible. 1t was
his word that decided the professional
fate of all the teachers.
After a years bootless trying to Sc
cure a 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 a 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
tions.
II wonder how big he is?" said Seth
Goodwin !; / hope he isn't one of themsay-
age fellers."
II don't care how big he is, nor how
savage he is" If he don't walk Spanish
before the week Is out then / miss my
guess"
"I don't know how we are to learn
anything If we don't have a teacher"
said a little voice of the number.
"You shut up" said the leader. 81
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 a 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 man
In their midst.
= 3 UGDnI ,,~n~r;r~ 49,, Io1o ~ cold ho
smilingly; 1--WE are to begin q new ca
reer together to-day, and / sincerely
hope we shall like each other. ] will
try everything in my power to please
you that is CONSTANT with duty, and /
shall expect the same from you. wish
you to regard me as your friend at the
commencement, and / shall certainly
act from friendly feeling. / like your
appearance, and believe we shall find
little trouble in agreeing"
The speech evidently made an Inn
preston, but Bill Brown went round
whispering, that's all bosh, for / see
the shape of q cowhide In his pocket"
which awakened as he expected 1t would
o 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
schoolhouse-produced confusion, and
the commencement of business was der
ferred till next day. The school was
dismissed at noon, and master and schol-
airs separated-the former with an M
preston that he had q 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