Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-01-30
ZEKE RUGGLES.
The Story Of My School at Grass
hopper Corners.

hSpPOi SOIhOIo.
was a girl OF only nineteen years
when / left my fathers house to become
teacher In n country district school.
do not suppose that was particularly
clever, but knew enough to teach
country boys and girls OF generation
ago; neither do | for moment imag-
inc that l was remarkably pretty or
beautiful, though think i possessed a
fair share OF comeliness and, at any
rate, felt no uneasiness on that score.
Upon my first morning ut the primi-
tive school-house | found myself sur
rounded by some thirty or more boys
and girls, of a variety such as one might
naturally expect to find in rural dis
trict some twenty years since. They
were OF all ages from seven to seven
teen, and were none Of them particular
ly apt or bright scholars save one.
In n corner, near the door, and the
farthest from my desk, sat an old-look-
ing lad OF perhaps eighteen years. He
was the last whom called upon to give
me his name and other information,
so that | might classify him properly.
] noticed that he had bright eye, and,
although dressed clumsily enough, was
a pleasant lad to look upon; but he was
intensely bashful.
"Will you tell me your nameP" |
asked. The lad glanced at me shyly
and dropped his eyes. Almost m a
whisper he said:
"Ruggles, maam."
Yes" said !, "but your full namePn
Before he could reply some preco-
cious youngster in petticoats volun-
teered:
"lt's Zeke, marin, Zcke Rugglesr'
j silcnced the smart speaker and
again turned to my eldest scholar.
"Give me your Christian name.
please, 80 ] can enter II on the reg
ister"
"Hezekiah Ruggles'
1T wasn't much of name-at least,
so ] thought at the time.
taught school at Grasshopper Cor
ners from late fall until early summer,
and then commenced to make prepa-
rations TO go home for needed rest
BY that time ! had learned a good deal
OF Zeke Ruggles.
His father was the village blacksmith,
who made fair living, and, apprecia-
ting the lack OF education in himself,
desired his boy TO learn as much as pos
sible. Zeke proved very attentive
scholar, and, although he was not pos
seseed OF prodigious intellect or light
ming rapidity, he applied himself so dill
gently to his studies that began to fear
he would soon reach a point where
II would be necessary for him TO pro-
cure teacher OF greater erudition than
myself.
! had been annoyed more than once
by young man named Slatt. Physic-
ally he was n splendid specimen of hui
manity; morally and intellectually he
was the antipodes OF his physical per-
lection. Not yet thirty, he owned the
finest farm in the county, drove span
Of thoroughbreds and attempted to ape
the city boys in his dress, which was
always very loud in color and style.
But, per CONTRA he drank, smoked
and chewed tobacco TO excess, and,
while he could talk of very little but
himself and his horses, he profusely in
terspersed such talk with the coarsest
OF coarse language.
As / have said, more than once this
not very Ito me) attractive individual
had forced his company upon me, and,
although when was called upon merely
TO passively endure his society, had
tried not to offend him, every time he
invited me TO drive with him or accom-
pany him TO the village dances | had
most decidedly refused. One day he came
down TO the school-house 1t was four
o'clock on n lovely afternoon in spring,
and / was about to dismiss the scholars.
From my desk Icould see him through
the window as he hitched his team, and
] rightly guessed was the object OF
his visit. l began TO summon the neces-
sary courage to meet him when | should
leave the school, but j scarcely antici-
pated his next move
The door opened and Mr.. Slatt, gor-
geous in a light suit Of store-clothes,
set of by an emerald-greeu necktie,
marched up TO my desk. He did not so
much as remove his hat, but, with
familiar wave Of his hand, said in loud
voice:
''Howdy-do, Miss Brooksp Nice day.
this, amt itl Guess you won't say No
20 spin behind my team, ehp Most of
the girls are only too anxious TO ride in
my buggy, and ] suppose you're no diff
ferent TO the rest OF emp
Then, turning to the boys and girls,
who, with one or two exceptions, watch
cd and more or less admired, with wide
open eyes and mouths, he jerled one
thumb toward the door and shouted.
You kids can clear outl It's time
for you to 20 home, anyway