West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-02-06

boy shouted IN turn. indicating tho one
next him, and this said by every boy
until II reached the bottom Of the class.
each boy screaming and shouting at
the very top of his voice. In the midst
OF all the noise. Mr.. Winters sat with
out moving a muscle His bright ewes
had rather an amused look as they
passed from face 90 face. Then when
the noise abated little, he spoke in his
same quiet. even tones
Il think YOU have all been pinchers.
80 I'll punish the whole class. He
quietly took off his coat. and then took
up large switch that was on his desk.
You, Zach Jones, oblige me by
stepping here"
/acn marched up with an insolent
laugh and defiant swagger. Mr..
Winters raised the switch, his keen
eyes fixed watchfully upon the boy. Be-
fore IL descended, Zach aimed "a blow
at his face. He evaded il, and the next
moment the young pugilist was seized
IN an iron grasp. When il relaxed.
Zach, blinded by rage, struck out right
and left; but what was his brute force
against the trained skill OF the most
muscular athlete of Akron College?
Three times Zach went down like a
log. The fourth time, bruised and
dizzy, he could not rise to his feet
" Have you had cnough?n Mr. Win
tera asked him. sternly; are you will
ing to obey?'
You c the best man." zach said.
family, and L suppose I'm bound TO
give in.
Yes, | suppose YOU are" said Mr..
Winters. "If not now, YOU soon will
be. Help him up, some OF YOU. and let
him go TO the well and wash his face.
Now. young gentlemen, I'll settle with
YOU"
The awe-stricken boys looked at him.
for once terrified into good behavior
There lie stood. as cool and quiet a,
before the fight. He saw they were
conquered. He punished each of them,
but made the punishment rs light as
possible. They took il as demurclv as
if the school had been always under
strict discipline. Zach. sitting mourn
fully at an open window with his head
buzzing, and feeling strangely con-
fused, pondcrcd mOurnfully over deceit.
full appearance. Mr.. Winters called
him in and told him 70 remain after the
school was dismissed
You forced me to resort to such
harsh measures this morning; | was
sorry odo so, ~ he said; but YOU know
there was no help for il. / could not
do anything else and remain teacher of
this school. rs / propose TO do. The
skill and strength | acquired in the
gymnasium ut cOllcg, ! am literally
ashamed to use a II prize fgh er woulI
use them No gentleman would do il
unless forced To in sclf-dcfcnsc This |
nave done to-day. Now let me take
YOU into my confidence. ! heard of
TINS school it offered good remunera-
uon-and am poor man and need
the salary can honorably get here
As soon as ! saw YOU | knew what was
before me, but ] thought ! saw, too
that after you had found that had the
muscle TO command your respect Won
would be magnanimous enough 10 give
me no more trouble Indeed | wish to
be your friend if YOU will allow me to
be. VIII you?' and nc held out his
hand
Zach took it frankly. for he liked
the spirit of the teacher. Il am
not mean enough. Mr.. Winters he
SAID, mot to acknowledge when I'm
whipped, and | don't bear ill-will. But
what puzzle, me is how You can rive
such hits with that little hand of yours.
IT took me so by surprise that L went
right under -
Mr., Winters laughed and pulled up
his sleeve. His arm, though not large
was bundle of iron muscles. "
1T exercise and practice, Zach. -" he
said But 1t me LAY - YOU that Gull
iyation of brute force alone is the mean
est of ambitions As I have already
intimated, | should have preferred con.
quering this school by other and better
means, but it is tn last time | hope. ."
he said, smiling, that l shall have to
use the Touchdown argument"
Mr. Winters victory was thorough
The Hickory Point school lost its bad
reputation from that day. The scholars
soon learned thoroughly to respect and
love their teacher for his Kindness of
heart and for his gcntlemanly qualities.
There was good mat rial in the school.
and Mr.. Winters made the most of it
IOUths' Companion.