Smyrna times., 1888-04-04
WHOLE NO. l,7O6.
For the Smyrna Times.
A Teachers Tablet.
STRAY LEAVES FROM Mr.. C.'s NOTE.
BOOK.

1t was my first attempt at being a
pedagogue. 1 had long had an uncon-
querable desire to become one, and
now my highest hopes were to be
realized. The schoolhouse stood back
IN region of country commonly desig-
mated under the title of forest. It was
not noted either for its beauty or other
attractive features-only the ordinary
unpretentious, everyday district
schOolhouse.
Inc scholars ran in books, from those
In the alphabet to the sciences, and in
age from six to twenty-one, or older
even. 1t was proud moment for me.
and an exciting one as we'll, when I
rang my bell for the first time ON that
cold and frosty December morning
proud for obvious reasons, exciting. for
among the twenty or thirty pupils,
were those whose avoirdupois consid
erably exceeded mine, strong, athletic
tellows,and of whose temperaments and
capabilities, knew absolutely nothing.
One, in particular, did not fancy. and
as future events showed, he was TO give
me not little trouble before the term
closed. However, everything pro-
gressed as nicely as could be expected
for month or so, considering was
young and inexperienced. had lust
come from school, and was full of pre-
posterous ideas as perhaps ~ others
have been before me. 1t was the dav
before Valentines. 1 imagined mis-
chiefw was brewing. Groups Of pupils
could be seen during times of intermis.
sion collected here and there, engaged
IN earnest conversation, occasionally
casting a superciliOus glance toward
the building that contained YOURS
truly This did not presage any good,
and l was well aware of it. l was on
the alert and endeavored to fathom the
mystery. believed plot was being
cOncocted in which l was to be a sur
prised and unwilling actor. But try as
/ might, learned nothing during the
early part of the day. was becoming
anxious for did not know Just when
the play was to commence.
The last recess arrived; as chance
would have it, one of the smaller
scholars in passing out did not fasten
the door but left it partly open. I'm
mediately outside were number of the
boys talking and overheard them.
Sundry remarks let in welcome food
of light l assure you. 1 was to be put
out, rode on a rail, and be made to
perform other gymnastical exploits not
in conformity with my own dignifed
self.
That was it. 1t was an old custom
OF the boys, and l think it would not
have been departed from had it been
kept a secret either. was very oppor-
tunely made conscious of the fact the
news was highly appreciated. They
were in an exceedingly good humOr, I
suppose, enjoying in their minds, to-
morrows anticipated fun. tried to be
too.
After calling the roll, the last duty
of the day, it was then that all an
nouncements were made. 1 paused
and with a little tremor in voice.
stated, that "very important business
called me away tomorrow, and conse-
quently there would be no school,"
That settled them. Their hopes were
crushed. They were to be deprived of
the ecstatical pleasure of giving me
free and unsolicited rail-ride, ETC., and
was to lose (purpOsely too) the bene-
fits (P) accruing therefrOm.
The house was closed the next day,
and was back the day after as serene
and unruffled as usual. The important
busineSs-which to be honest was imag-
inary-was satisfactorily transacted.
Thus was one frOlic frustrated by a
little pardOnable strategem.