The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-01-18

the little recite their lessons. II would
not be such difficult undertaking
after all. he fancied. The location Of
the school house was picturesque and
romantic; 1t was pleasant 10 be so
near the ocean: and the effort 70 teach
was certainly not great But il came
to rass that these reflections were the
result Of inexperiencc. On the third
day the tough SET" whom Uncle
seth had spoken Of. began the attack.
and Mark had no more peace until the
term was nearly completed. ''He amt
no ways big enough % learn u.s. a
couple 81 the largest and most stupid
boys declared. ''Ile- asoin' TO be put
ont right spry-"
Its their old game. young man..
said Unrlr Seth. rubbing his wooden
leg thoughtfully Their great idee
in life j. 70 put somebody out; and We
always said that the teacher who could
master them would be lit 10 govern
Roosia-
Marks first feeling was disgust. To
wrangle with ignorant bullies was not
10 his taste; and he was undecided
whether he would not give UP the
school AT once. They could easily put
him out. Of course. II they determined
I 10 do 80; and 10 attempt 20 fight with
them was no part OF discretion He
| lay awake most Of one night thinking
about il and got up in the morning
desperately miserable. He could not
return TO the college without money
and he did not like to 90 home defeat
| ed.
III could BE- giant about week
would give great deal he said TO
Uncle seth and Sister Cynthia
brains j. worth heap more n
muscle. though. in the long run. an
swered Uncle seth when you find
a hump you cant walk right over
you must find way TO go round IT,.
you know. That's what I've learned
in my time Jest git around it some
way or another"
That was. in fact. the only way he
could hope to continue the school.
Mark understood plainly; but so far
ne had not discovered how TO proceed.
lie began Immediately. however. 10
study the characters OF the pupils who
annoyed him and to adapt himself 10
the necessities OF the occasion BY
making an effort to keep them in GOOD
humor he gained time 10 begin with;
then he managed at recess and after
school 10 draw them into friendly con-
versation about their trips TO the fish,
Ing banks. told good story which sci
them laughing. and finally succeeded
in capturing one. named Jake Clinch,
10 70 fishing with him that night
Though not quite the acknowledged
leader OF the school. Jake was the
stoute~t and strongest OF them all; and
Mark decided that il he could make 2
~ianch friend 81 him the future would
be safe. Sitting out on one Of the
lodges in the moonlight angling. hs
found an opportunity to become very
social with him Jake al the first o.
the evening. il fell out. took fancy 4
q pearl-handled jack-knife Mark GU
the bait with and after awhile Mari
made him a present Of il, asking hin
to keep il TO remember him BY Thi
proved a great stroke Of diplomacy.
| The next day Jake said the teacher
was better little '.fellcr' than he has
supposed. and he believed they ough
TO give him show before they pitchel
into him. The others did not quite
agree with him; but they hesitated 4
do any thing that he would not tak'
part in. and revolutionary proceeding
werc- therefore. suspended for awhile
Wen tackle him spcllin' -schoo
night. said Jim Nixon. the most pug
naci9us one among those dissatisfied
| That II be the time. Every body vii
. be around then to see us do IL
Having received hint from Jake
Mark exercised all the tact he couls
, muster in obtaining a postponement 0
|, the customary spelling-school, and, 4
. | the surprise OF Uncle Seth and thu
. neighborhood. month passed withou
: 1 lutft uttH- any fAot III tAAN rNtivtt
, house. The slim teacher was cute
/ fellow than any body had supposed. i
, began 10 be said; and when Uncle Sell
! and Sister Cynthia let IT be known tina
} the little fellow was poor as Jobs tur
/ KEY and a-tryin' TO scrape somcthin.
: together to get an education with
I some OF the rough old fishermen. VIII
, had warm hearts under their pea
: jackets. said: Those ere boys had bet
ter lusr it little and not carry quite .
: much sopsail-
III Mark found each day difficult 4
e manage. though. Notwithstanding tn
a apparent tranquility. and he knew
4 that the dreaded spelling-school mus
take place sooner or later. The bes
? he could do was TO keep Jake on hi
. side and put it Of as long as possible
: The anxiety he suffered from day 4
(. day was more than he had evel
D imagined before; but he was beginning
) TO have confidence in himself, and b
|. meant now 10 continue the school I
-