The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-07-17

Gorse said "Good-morning." ran out
with sarcastic laughter. as If even they
were not to be caught by designing po-
likeness. After them came the larger
boys and girls. The boys hung up their
overcoats and dinners, pre-empted
seats. inspected the teacher. who by no
means attempted another ''Good-morn-
ing" and numbered out again. The
girls regarded the stolid young men
with snickering appreciation, were in
dustriously unconscious of the teacher,
and, finally departed arm-in-arm, (show-
ing how tenderly they could be If they
wished), humming beautiful airs popu-
lar in the eighteenth century.
The battle was about to begin.
At nine o'clock promptly Gorse rang
the bell. The scholars having taken
their places. he began with the largest
boy, looked him squarely in the eye,
and asked his name; so he proceeded
through the school When he had the
names, he took his place behind the
desk.
81 am grieved," he commenced, "to
note the absence of William Billiger."
This remark, being made seriously,
created much surprise. II find by the
register that William is twenty-four
wears old; he must be fine scholar. L
should like to have him here as a model.
Does any one know where William Is
now?"
Yes, William was a sailor on the lake.
and would be ready for school the fol-
lowing Monday.
William was not satisfied with the
teachers last winter, and so. with your
aid, he threw them out to make room
for better. 1t will be a sad state of
things if William returns and finds me
not up, to his wishes; for he will not
throw me out. Thomas Bremer?"
.'Yes, sir"
"Come here and see what William s
chances are for new administration"
The eyes of the school being on him,
Thomas could not refuse. He advanced
to the desk.
'.You are the strongest.boy here now,
aren't you?"
''Yes, SIR
s'See if YOU can hold my hand"
Thomas seized the hand manfully; it
felt, he said afterwards, like horse s
leg" and it released itself on the in
slant.
Try both your hands," said the slim
teacher; and the result was the same.
..Now, l will hold you. Both your
hands at once"
Thomas crossed his wrists, and
Gorse's fingers went around them like
iron, holding them immovable. Young
Bremen struggled, but as yainly rs if he
had been an infant. The hard fingers
seemed shutting into the bone, and he
surrendered.
The big boys at heir seats at
tempted to laugh.
Come up and try it yourselves, J"
cried Bremen. The laugh subsidized.
Take your seat, Thomas; and when
you see William, tell him not to be
afraid of giving me any trouble"
The troubles of the schOol-teacher,
however, were not yet over. After the
noon hour, one day in the second week,
when the school had been called to
order, and when Mary, now permitted
to attend under pretense OF pene-
trating the mysteries of algebra, was
conscientiously at work, Clarence, look
ing out of the high window, saw little
party coming from up the road. He
recognized Mr.. Billiger, the arch
enemy of wishy-wash, and, with him,
the offspring of johnson and Rhino
Williams, who, since the first day, had
been absent. A young man larger
than the Others, with shutting gait
and a heavy swing to his shoulders,
Clarence correctly OWNED to be the
famous Bill.
A moment afterwards the company
entered the room. There was deep
saw that Mary was trembling. He men-
tally resolved that the person was I'M
lucky who frightened her, and then, sa-
luting the director, gave him seat by
the desk.
81 heerd you wanted Bill" said the
black villain. ave brought him. l
wanted to ask you not to hurt him,
squeeze his hands or anythin'.'
Did you bring him here to make a
disturbance" asked Gorse, judging it
best to begin the attack.
pamby," said MIR. Billiger, smartly.
"And you've brought the Johnsons
and Williamses, too. You didn't bring
them here to break up the school, did
you? Because if you did, l can draw
my wages for the whole term without
teaching another day."
There, that's enough jaw" cried
Bill from where he was standing. near
the stove. Come talk to me little. ="
Every well; in the first place I warn
the others to take their seats"
But the JOhnsons and Williamses re-
fused, and, with Bill at their head, came
down the aisle. They approached slow
ly, gathering courage as they came.
The leader held his right hand behind
him.
You've got brass knuckles on,
haven't you?" said Gorse.
YES" cried Bill, with an oath, "and
there they areH'
The younger scholars screamed, and
even the Bremen boys shuddered in
their seats; but the blow that followed
was from an arm of steel which sent
Bill down among the little benches like
q block. The Johnsons, rushing in
like two bulldogs, had like reception.
1t was at the last blow that he heard a
scream from Mary.
'Clarence! Clarencer' she cried;
''quick!''
He turned suddenly and discovered
the ferocious director coming toward
him with heavy ruler .I'll learn you
to strike my son!' he was yelling; but
when he saw Gorse facing him he
stopped
"You are Slow" said the teacher, de-
risively. "Give me the ruler" MIR.
Billiger did not delay in obeying.
All this had taken but a moment and