The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-03-04

| Yet he had some rather generous
impulses. He was a staunch friend
and if he whipped the weaker boy
himself, he would allow no one els,
to touch them.
In strength and boldness ABB
Savage nearly na'ched him, SO ther,
was an offensive and defensive ALI.
ance between the two. Zach wa:
unprepared for Abe's detection, ane
was indignant a it.
= l never thought you'd be tn,
one to give in, ae said.
Did | say Ia give in 2'' Abe an.
swered, sharply. Il said | woulc
run away, and Ireckon it will come
to that at last"
I'D as soon 90 to sea as anything
else" returned Zach. / don't be
lieve sailor las tc work harder
than do. Let's go. Abe"
Now Abe could not even sail oyel
the lake without being sea-sick, and
that plan did no; meet his approval
Besides, he was 8 prudent boy, and
though he grumblsd and threatened
had really no idea ofrunning away,
leaving his comfortable home and
throwing himself upon the world.
We haven't 8 cent of money
now" he said, and we'd better put
off running away for awhile. The
folksll get tired being so strict after
awhile, | guess. Besides, a school
teacher may come, and hadn't we
better let him stay spell?"
If he can whip me, yes" Zach
said. If he can't-nol I amt fond
of study, any how. and if work gets
too hard, I'll run away"
A few weeks after that there was a
meeting of the school directors al
Hickory Point. A young man with
high recommendations, a college
graduate, applied for the vacant po-
sltion. The farmers of that neigh
borhood were wealthy enough to
pay an excellent salary, so the
school was only nominally public
one, each head of family contribut-
az TO the fund.
Mr.. Allen Winters, the young
man who wished to become teacher
a, Hickory Point was thin, wiry-
looking young fellow. with very
small hands. bright black eyes, and
a mouth entirely covered by heavy
black mustache. If you could have
looked beneath it. you would have
seen that the lips were thin and COM
pressed. and closed as if with an iron
clamp.
His address was very pleasant,
both quiet and courteous. He was
at once engaged, though he noticed
the directors looking al him in pit
ying manner
:. We are willing and glad to give
you the place, MIR Wintesa.a said
Deacon Jones. but the question Is.
g how long will you be willing TO
keep it? I'll be frank, and tell you
we've got a bad lot OF boys at the
Point. 1t will take a piucky man to
conquer them, and you don't look
very strong. :" 10 afraid it will be
. How do you do?' and Good-by 7
with you before two weeks have
passed.
Mr.. Winters smile was an odd
one. but he said, in a quiet voice !;
+" Perhaps my looks deceive you /;
but | supposed brains were needed
in a school more than muscle"
You have not taught at the Point,
young man, Mr.. Savage said, shak-
ing his head. -" My boy is, I'm sor-
~ to say, one of the worst but its
our duty to tell you that you have a
hard row TO hoe "
Mr.. Winters laughed, and his
bright eyes danced merrllv. - IN
glad you warned me, though you
think I'm a lamb led to the
sacrifice The truth is, | heard of
the character of your boys before /
applied for the situation. | know
all about them, and am prepared for
peace or war. as they may choose. .
No weapons, young man, said
Deacon Jones, nervou-ly. We
can't have any doings OF that SORT in
our schools. If you conquer the
boys and you don't look as if you
must do it with tie
switch. or such agencies as nature
has given you. You can make them
obedient in that way ifyou can not
in any other, and we will uphold
you-but no weapons, sir. &"
| understand" said be You
need nol be afraid | shall use any
other agencies than those nature has
given me. | feel quite sure | am
the very man for this school. At
any rate seem to be your foriorn
hope, and if you canrot keep me,
You will not be likely 10 have any
one else"
Il like your pluck, young man,
said Deacon Jones, approvinely.
YET" with a sigh. lone or two of the
teachers had pluck as well as your
self | wish you better luck, my
young friend-better luck"
With his peculiar smile Mr.. Win
lers made the final arrangements,
md with the same smile presented
himself 10 his Assem- bled scholars the
day.
!" He's got no more strength than
| cat," Zach whispered to Abe, con-
just look at those
hands, will you? There
Won't be any fun licking him or
Irving him away. | guess Ill let
,im have his own way for a day or
wo.n
Boys" said Mr.. Winters, tap
,ing his desk, "before we begin
work l wish to cay a word or two.
have heard from good authority
hat you are the most lawless, un-
set of boys in the state.
am sorry that you have such a
equation, and still more sorry to
,e obliged to believe that you de-
erve it. Nov, let NE say at the
tart. thst l am going to exact obedi-
nee from you in everything, even
n trifles, and the first act of insub-
'rdination, l shall punish. / would
ather deal kindly with you if you
rill allow me to do so, but if you
refer a different course, depend