The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-03-11

But ever after this. she tried
To keep logic on her side.
Eleanor Lewis, in February Wide Awake.
In a Southern SchOoi-hOuse.
What is a gentleman? A gentle man. Ia
ali that he Goes he has consideration for
others 1t is very possible that he can not
take off his hat to a lady with as fine grace
as some men who have the veneer OF polite
ness but are sel6sn and brutsl at heart. 1t
is the intention, the sincerity, the hearth
ness of the msa or boy, which tells whether
he be really a gentleman or only the cOun-
teTfeit ana the sham. IL sometimes happens
that young men have true politeness in their
souls, but need rough shaking to bring IL
out. That was the case with the Young fel.
low OF whom lady writes in the Journal of
Education she says;
was a Yankee schaOl-teacher way down
South. / was young and full of gal. Ny
scnOIsIs Dght my Enthusiasm We were
having happy session. Three weeks Of the
t-rm lad passed. Affairs in the school-room
were going smoothly and pleasantly. Not a
harsh word had been spoken.
1T is really delightful" wrote to my
sister. "Southerners have been misrepre-
scented. / never cav Mssss chusetts pupils so
willing and eager as these scholars of mine.
] have found the Paradise of school teachers.
The girls are as sweet as their garden roses
al d the bows are manly and trne.n
But slight cloud seon appeared in the
sunny sky A new scholar came on the
fourth Monday, He was ON Pleasant
Valley" he said. He had kept school, but
vented to be learnt little more" He Was
tail, red haired, red-whskered, blue-eyed
and blushing. He'll give L no trouble. :"
1 said to myself. but had yet tn learn the
ways of the world, and of southern noun
tain boys.
On Tuesday morning was in my usual
place, and had nv first word of reproof to
say. l fastened to utter 1t as soon as the
opening dsvotions were ended:
Young gentlemen, the one who takes
care of the house tells me that some of your
places are covered with filthy tobacco-iuice
am sorry that any OF you use the nause 1us
weed. l feel sure that you will grant my
request and leave no marks of this dad habit
upon the floor of our schoolroom."
A pleasant smile and nod ran from face
to face around the room, and l felt that my
request would be gladly heeded-by all save
one, at least. The face of the new scholar
shove beneath its bushes a trace of morti-
fed pride and sulky self conceit.
He's well.named Stamper," said Katie
knight. ss she walked home with me at noon.
He stamps round SIS though he owned 'sll
creation and the Djggers.'
He needs to have a little more knowl-
edge stamped into his bushy head" l
thought; but | said not word to Kate.
On wednesday morning, Stamper's place
was covered with tobscco-juice. Stamper s
eyes were on his book. Stamper's fingers
were busy with 1.-The United States Rule. "
Siampers teacher was thinking OF her bro
ken lule, and wondering whether Stamper
carried pistol.
''You hfard my request yesterday, young
gentlemen" l said in a trembling, yet deter
mined voice. sit must be obeyed. Gentle
men do sometimes smoke and chew. have
seen them do it, and have been sorry for it.;
but one thing l am sure ONO gentleman
would make nlthy a school room floor after
he had Deen requested by his teacher to do
otherwise"
Nothing mere vas said. Stamper stamped
out. He did not come back that day.
He y ent down to Willow Dell Semi
nary" said John 10 Kate. after school.
says he'll show the Yankee schoolmarm
howEo call him no gentleman
Ga Thursday morning the devotious were
pleasant but solemn. The teachers voice
was trembling and earnest. Stamper was in
his place. He looked triumphant aud
snapped his blue eyes ss much as to say,
''She won't dare to touch mel"
"Mr. Stampsr" | said, after a few mo-
ments Of quiet study; ard few glaoces in
q particular direction made every one sus-
pect that smething unusual was coming.
"Mr. Stamper. will you rise?"
Mann said the astonisbsd s1x-footer.
"Will you please to ariGep'
He arose. will you tell me why you LEFT
school without permission yesterday2'
Reckon I'd better not" he at length
etammereo.
Il wish to know why. / happen to be the
tescher Of this school-the one who makes
The rJles. Why did you leave school with
cut permission, yesterday, Why did you
not rsturn2'
"'Csuse ye called me no gentleman
Are you q gentleman"
Reckon be-"
do gentlemen annoy ladies2'
mo, man"
''WeIl. siG-gentleman or mott give you
ten minutes to apologize and remove the
filth from your place or you may leave the
school house and not return. You are q
sbsm gentleman; we want no such here"
Stsmper's face grew redder than his hair.
His blue eyes showed q shade of green. He
looked round upon the unsympathlzinR
scholars. He looked up at the determined
little teacher. He was conquered. The filth
was removed in spite OF many SUPPRESSED
giggles.
II humbly ask your pardon. I'll try to
keep your rules, and q heap more il you
make 'em. You've got mighty good pluck,
and I've been as mean as an abolitioner. I'll
stCdy right smart the rest of the season."
Stamper broke no more rules. He chewed
no more tobacco. He became one of my best
pupils and helped 10 make the dear old
scbool-room q sunny spot in my memory.
'Ab, but she did give me the best taking
down / ever had" ne said. many years after.
Never learned better Lesson How mean
Hooked to myself l resolved, then and
there, to be sham gentleman no more"
Earning Her way.
A In o1S ryuIo