The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-03-04
CONQUERED AT LAST.
A SCHOOL TEACHER WHO WAS TOO
MUCH FOR THE BOYS.

| think the worst set of bows
ever heard of were the Hickory Point
boys. Teacher after teacher had en-
deavored to teach the district school
there, only to be either whipped OF
badgered 20 that each was ready to
give up before six months had pass
ed. The boys fought or intimIdated
the male teachers, and annoyed the
female teachers, until, unnerved and
utterly broken down they took their
departure, shaking the dust Of the
Point from their feet. The day ar
rived when no teacher made appll-
cation tor the vacant school, and the
Hickory Point parents were anxious
and disturbed at the state OF
things.
Il don't know what We are going
to do with them boys OF ourn." Dea-
con Jones said to Deacon Savage.
They amt bad boys for work nor
for playing, out the moment they get
on them school benches, with book
in their hands, the very evil one
seems to get inter EN-. All the
Point boys pattern after they, and a
very bad pattern il is. as you know.
Brother Savage. They seem to be
determined not to be in any school,
and I'm worn out Furnishing Zach
1t don't seem to do him any good. F"
" That is so, Brother Jones. I'm
sorry for it. but it's so. Didn't |
punish my Abe for whipping young
Winter, and did that make him anv
better ? No. Just thipk what he did
to that last school ma'am-that old
maid. Miss Brown
Deacon Jones, if he was a deacon,
had keen sense Of the ludicrous,
and he laughed aloud. . | declare,
| can't help itr' be said. Il laugh
every time / think of bow that poor
woman came INTO my house, with
her false front all singed so you
could see bald spots underneath,
and the hair behind crisped and
smelling like burnt feaihers.
4" Just look at me. Mr.. Jones y
she cried. Just see the work of that
mis'ab Abe Savage, your son !
They came pretty nigh burning me
up, sir. My back hair was all in a
blaze before | knew that it was Oh
fire. And they just laughed, instead
of putting it out. | demand
satisfaction, sir, for this gross out
rage "
well, we did have 20 pay well for
that frollc," Mr. Savage answered.
dolefully. But she WAS too high
tempered and excitable TO be a
school teacher. Folks that are al
ways flying into pieces can't manage
boys, anyway"
=" We've had all kinds of teachers,
Brother Savage. 1t isn't the teach
ers, but the wickeGness of the BOYS
themselves. Why, you know we've
had good and bad tempered teach
ers. young and old, mild and cross.
and how long did any of them stay?
I'm discouraged, and shall not try TO
get another teacher. Zach may GO
without an education. and I'll give
him one behind plow. If he don't
work Eli whip him, and that's all |
can do"
Most of the parents al the Point
adopted this plan. The hoys were
set to work in the fields. the barns
and the stables, aud kept steadily at
it. They were allowed no holidays
and no recreations and before six
weeks had passed they began to look
back with regret to their detested
school days. and to wish them back
again. Even their ring leaders
did not hesitate to confess
this.
i don't have moment for anv
kind of fun" Abe Savage grumbled.
= Pas always at my heels, and when
he isn't there, mas just like watch
dog. It's Abe, do this, or Abe,
you do that until / fairly despise
my own name. Why, even Sunday,
if / walk down the road, I'm called
back
They're treating US in this way
just to pay US for making it uncom-
Portable for the teachers" Zach said,
Il know it's that, though
they don't say so. But l don't
care. I'm not going to 60 back to
school,"
I'D rather have the teachers"
Abe said, " for if they keep this up.
I'm going to run away. Now, if you
hadn't treated Mr.. Jspp in the way
you did, he'd have been here now
and if school is hateful, we did have
and holidays"
Il said no teacher should stay
here that couldn't lick meT Zach
.ried. frowning, "and I'm not going !
back on my word. No man shall
cold and ferrule me who isn't
tronger than | am. if / can help it. !
fou can show the white feather if
,ou choose, but | reckon / can hold
nv own and drive 'em away, if all
he bows do play coward