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

swered, sharply. q said I'd run
away, and reckon it viii como to that
at last.
I'D as soon 90 to sea as ANYTHING
else. returned Zach. Il don't believe
sailor has 10 work harder than 1 do.
Let's 60. Abe"
Now Abe could not even sail over the
lake without Ecing sea-sick, and that
plan did not meet his approval. Be
sides, he was prudent boy, and
though he grumblcd and threatened.
had really no idea of running away.
leaving his comfortable home and
throwing himself upon the world.
We haven't cent cs money now. g"
he said. 'and we'd better put off run
ming away for awhile. The folks'u get
tired OF being so strict after awhile, /
guess. Besides, a school-teacher may
come, and hadn't we better lot him stay
a spell?'
" Ii he can whip me, yes" Zach said.
III he can't-no, | amt fond of
study, anyhow, and if work gets too
hard, I'll run away"
A few weeks after that there was n
meeting of the school directors at HEX
DRY Point A young mpn with high
recommendations, a college graduate.
applied Tor the vacant position. The
farmers OF that neighborhood were
wealthy enough 10 pay an excellent sal
airy, SO the school was only nominally a
public one, each head OF family con
tributing 10 the fund.
Mr. Allan Winters, the young man
who wished TO become teacher at Hick-
DRY Point, was thin, wirv-lookinp
young fellow, with very small hands.
bright black eyes and a mouth entirely
concealed by n heavy black mustache-
you could have looked beneath it.
YOU would have seen that the lips were
Tim, and compressed and closed rs if
with an iron clamp
lis address was very pleasant, both
quiet and courteous. He was at once en-
gagged, Though he noticed the directors
looked at him in plying manner
1--WE are willing and glad TO give YOU
the place, Mr.. Winters" said Dcacon
Jones, but the question j.. how lone
will YOU be willing to keep it? I'll be
frank, and tell YOU we've got a had lot
OF boys at the Point. II will tax, a
plucky man TO conquer them, aud 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 school more
than muscle"
You have not taught at the Point.
young man. Mr.. Savage said, shaking
his head. My boy is, | am sorry to
say one OF the worst; but it's our duty
to tel you that you have hard row to
hoe. -"
MIR. Winters laughed, and his bright
eyes danced merrily. Pm glad YOU
warned me, though YOU mustn't think
/ m lamb lei TO the sacrifice. The
truth isl 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 NAV
choose
mo weapons, young man. said
Deacon Jones, ncvou>lv. I'VE can't
have any doings of that sort i'm our
school If YOU conquer the bovs-and
you don look As if YOU cou'd-vou
must 90 1t with the switch. or such
agencies a nature has given YOU. You
can make them ohedjcnt in that way if
you can not in any other and we will
uphold you but no weapons, sir"
Il understand. " laughing. "You
need not b. afraid | shall use any other
agencies than those nature has oiyen
me. | fe.l quite sure | am the very
man for this school. At any ro,e I
seem TO be your fOrlorn hope. and if Won
can not Keep me, you will not BE- likely
to have any one else"
81 lilo t.trr. ,1r,,.i- ,-..,... - .--.- g.,
Deacon Jones, approyingiy. yet"
mad pluck As well rs yourself | wish
you better luck, my young friend bet
ter luck
With his peculiar smile Mr. Winters
made the final arrangements. and with
the same smile, presented himself to
ms assembled scholars the following
day.
Hes got no more strength than a
cat Zach whispered 10 Abe. con-
tcmptuOuSly. just look NJ those
woman S hands. VIII YOU There wont
be any fun licking him or drvug him
away. guess l'll let him have hi, own
way for day ortwo."
Boys, said Mr. Winters. tappino
his desk, before Wc begin work. wish
10 say word or two. / have heard
from good authority That YOU are fbe
most iaw.cSs unmonagcablc ,ctor lor,
ia the state. ] ann sorry YOU have such
q reputation. and still more sorry 10 10,
obliged 90 believe that YOU deserve IL
Now ic me say here. 40 the start. that
] ann going 90 exact Ob.d .cnca from
YOU In oycryh ug. even in triIlc.. and
the irst act of in7ubord'na ion I shall