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

q hateful, we did have Saturdays and
holidays
~ said no teacher should stay here
that couldn't lick Dlcr' Zach cried.
frowning; = and I'm not going back on
my word No man shall scold and
ferulc me who isn't stronger than am,
| II ! can help II. You can show the
white feather II you choose. but ] reckon
can hold my own and drive 'em away,
II all the boys do play coward. y
| Zachariah Jones was the leader in the
revolt Of the boys against school authori-
w. He was stoutly- built. powerful
lad, nearly eighteen years old, who
ruled the scholars with rod Of iron.
Hardly boy dared TO oppose him, for
he was as ready with his lists as he was
with his words.
| Yet he had some rather generous inn
pulses. lie was staunch friend, and
II he whipped the weaker boys himself,
he would allow no one else to touch
them.
In strength and boIdness Abe Savage
nearly matched him, SO there was an
offensive and defensive alliance between
the two. Zach was unprepared for
Abe's detection, and was indignant at il.
~ never thought you d be the one TO
give in" he said
did ] say I'd give imp" Abe an
swered. sharply. ~ said Id run
away, and reckon it will come to that
at last.
I'D as soon 80 to sea as anything
else returned Zach. II don't believe
1 sailor has to work harder than i do.
Let's go. Abe
Now Abe could not even sail over the
lake without being sea-sick, and that
plan did not meet his approval. Be-
sides. he was prudent boy, and
though he grumbcd and threatened,
had really no idea Of running away.
leaving his comfortable home and
throwing himself upon the world.
1--WE haven't cent Of money now
he said. land we'd better pus off run
ming away for awhile. The folks'll get
tired OF being SO strict after awhile. |
guess. Besides. school-teacher may
come, and hadn't we better let him stay
spell?"
III lie can whip me. yes" Zach said.
IF he can't-no! / amt fond Of
study. anyhow, and II work gets too
hard. I'll run away"
A few weeks after that there was a
meeting Of the school directors at Hick-
DRY Point. A young man with high
recommendations, college graduate.
applied for the vacant position. The
farmers Of that neighborhood were
wealthy enough to pay an excellent sal
ary. so the school was only nominally n
public one, each head of a family con
trihuting % the fund.
Mr. Allan Winters. the young man
who wished 10 become teacher AT Hick-
DRY Point. was thin, wiry-looking
young fellow. with very small hands,
bright black eyes. and mouth entirely
concealed By heavy black musiache.
II YOU could have looked beneath il,
YOU would have seen that the lips Were
, Thin. and compressed and closed as il
with an iron clamp.
His address was very pleasant. both
quiet and courteous. He was at once en-
gagged. though he noticed the directors
looked ut him in a plying manner.
I'VE are willing and glad 10 give you
the place. Mr.. Winters said Deacon
Jones. ..but the question i, how long
will you be willing to keep It? III be
frank. and tell YOU we've got lad LOT
| OF boys at the Point. II will taxi a
plucky man TO conquer them, and you
. don't look very strong. I'm afraid il
, will be How DO you do?' and Good
Bye. with you before two weeks have
: passed.
Mr.. Winters'smile was an odd one,
but he said. in 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. shaking
| his head. MY boy i. am sorry q
/ say. one Of the worst: but its our duty
to tell you that you have a hard row q
hoe.
+ Mr.. Winters laughed, and his hrigh;
eyes danced merrily. I'm glad you
warned me. though YOU mustn't think
: I'm lamb lei 10 the sacrifice. The
I truth i heard Of the character Of your
! BOYS before applied for the situation
know all about them, and am pre-
pared for peace or war, as they may
choose
: mo weapons. young man. said
! Deacon Jones. ncrvouSly. I'VE cam
have any doings Of that sort in ouI
school. II YOU conquer the boys and
you don't look as il you could you
: must do il with the switch. or such
. agencies a. nature has given you. You
1 can make them obcdient in that way i
> you can not in any other. and we vii
uphold youhut no weapons. sir. N
II understand laughing. ''Yot
I need moi Be afraid shall use any Other
. agencies than those nature has giver
I me- | feel quite sure | am the yer,
: man for this school AT any rate
4. seem to be your forlorn hope. and Il yo,
, can not keep me, you will not be likel,
4 TO have any one else