Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-02-28


/ he never inflicted a chastisement without
following it by the assurance, so consol-
atory to the snarting urchin that "he
would remember ii and thank him for it
the longest day he had TO live"
When school hours were over he was
even the companion and playmate Of the
larger boys; and on holiday afternoons
would convoy some of the smaller ones
home. who happened 10 have pretty sis
tiers or good housewives for mothers,
noted for the comforts OF the cupboard.
Indeed. il bchooved him 10 keep on good
terms with his pupils. The revenue arts
ing from his school was small. and
would have been scarcely sufficient to
furnish him with daily bread, for he was
huge feeder and though lank. had the
dilating powers OF an anaconda; but
70 help out his maintenance, he
was, according 10 country Gus
tom in those parts, boarded aud
lodged u the houses Of the farmers.
whose children lac instructed. With these
he lived successfully, a week at a time,
thus going the rounds Of the neighbor-
hood with all his worldly effects tied up
in a cotton handkerchief.
That all this might not be too onerous
on the purses of his rustic patrons, who
ere apt 10 consider the costs Of schooling
a grievous burden, and schoclmasters as
mere dTones, he had various ways of
rendering himself both useful and agree-
able. He assisted the farmers occasion
ally in the lighter labors of their farms,
helped 20 make hay. mended the fences,
took the horses TO water, drove the COWS
IRON pasture and cut wood for the win
ter FIRE He laid aside. too. all the domi-
nant dignity and absolute sway with
which lac lorded il in his little empire,
the school, and became wonderfully gem
tie and ingratiating. He found favor in
the eyes Of the mothers by pctting the
children, particularly the youngest: and
like the lion bold. which whilom so
magnanimouslv the lamb did hold,
he would sit with n child on one knee,
and rock a cradle with his foot for whole
hours together.
In addition 70 his other vocations, he
was the singing master Of the neighbor-
hood, and picked up many bright shil-
lings By instructing the young folks in
psalmody 1t was a matter OF no little
vanity to him on Sundays, 10 take his
station in front of the church gallery.
with band Of chosen singers, where, in
his own mind, he completely carried
away the palm from the parson. Ger
tain il is. his voice rcsounded far above
all the rest Of the congregation, and
there arc peculiar quaveTs stil to be
heard in that church. and which NAV
even be heard half a mile of, quite to
the opposite side Of the mill pond, on a
still Sunday morning. which are said to
be logitimately descended from the nose
of lchabod Crane. Thus, by divers little
makeshifts, in that ingenious way which
is commonly denominated "by hook and
by crook, the worthy pedagogue got on
tolerably enough. and was thought, by all |
who understood nothing Of the labor of |
head work. TO have a wonderful easy |
life Of it.
The schoolmaster is generally a man of |
some importance in the female circle of |
a rural neighborhood, being considered |
a kind of idle gentleman ike parsonage.
of vastly superior taste and acconplish- |
ments to the rough country SWANS, and, /
indeed, inferior in learning only to the /
parson- Lis appearance, therefore, is |
apt to occasion some little stir at the tea
table Of farm house, and the addition Of /
a supernumerary dish Of cakes or sweet
meats. or. peradventure. the parade Of a
silver teapot. Ournlan Of letters therefore
was peculiarly happy in the SMILES of an
the country damsels. How he would
figure among them in the churchyard
between services on Sundays, gathering
grapes for them from the Wild vines that
overTun the surrounding trees. reciting
Tor their amusement ell tie epitaphs on
the tornhstones. or saunfering with
whole beyy Of them along the banks Of
the adjacent mill pond, while the moro
bashiui country pumpkins hung sheep !