Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-03-08
what followed were unable to give a
very coherent account oft.

I very c0herent account OF III.
They said the lid Of Miss R"'s
desk went up like flash. that she
drew from it long, new rawhide, and
seemed TO fairly 1y down the aisle to
Gideon's seat.
He had not for one moment expect
ed that she would dare use force with
him. He had confidently expected 10
frighten her at the last, and seemed to
think that his boldness had stricken
her with terror. Most of the other la
dy teachers had cried when he defied
them, and he rather expected Miss
R to beat retreat of some sort.
He was, therefore, wholly unpre-
pared for the vigor and fury of Miss
Rs onslaught. He had not time
to even leave his seat when one Of
Miss Rs strong, bony hands was
fastened firmly in his long, thick hair,
hi. head was pulled forward, and the
blows rained down on his back, every
stroke cutting the air with sharp
I whirring sound.
In vain he writhed and struck out
! blindly. He could not get out of his
seat nor out OF Miss Rs clutches.
Never had he fallen into such hands
before. Her grip was like wise. She
shook him until his teeth chartered;
she whipped him until he fairly roar
ed, and some of the little children be-
gan TO cry.
Pull her off, boys; pull her orr
roared Gideon, at last. Here you,
Bob Green, Jed Likes, Luke Shaw,
help, help
The boys whose names he called sat
awe-stricken in their seats. The whole
school looked on in wonder and amaze
ment, not unmixed with delight on the
part of some whom Gideon had tyr
annized over all their lives.
When he at last lay writhing and
begging for mercy in his seat, Miss
R loosened her grasp, and said:
Now, Gideon, we understand each
other clearly, don't we? / know all
about the teachers you've run out,
and all about your plans for treating
me in a similar manner, and | hope
that you understand now that I'm
not to be run out by you, and that"
Good for you, Miss R! Hooray
for you! That's the talk! Licked my
Gid, eh? That's right! Licked him
good Good enoughr'
Miss R looked up. In the
open doorway there stood a tall, an
gular man, dressed in the garb of a
farmer His sunburned face wore n
pleased expression, and he burst into
a laugh as Gideon looked up with
streaming eyes.
Il thought I'd be needed here this
morning." continued Mr. D,
but | see amt. Fact is, overheard
Gid. tell Luke Shaw this morning
when Luke stopped on the way to
school for Gid, and the two of 'em
was out in the barn together heered
Gid. make his brags as how he allow
ed to kick up fuss with you this
morning, and that he'd run you out'n
the school fore another month. Well,
| didn't say nothin', but | jest made
up my mind I'd be on hand to take
part in that circus myself, and il you
couldn't manage Gid. could
You've teachid' good school here,
Miss R--; it's the best school we've
had for long time. I've kind O been
lettin' Gid. do bout as he pleased
heretofore, but ! been thinking the
matter over a good deal of late, and
figgered out that it want the fair
thing to let big, sassy boy like Gid.
make trouble for lady teacher, and
/ said as much to Gid, but he didn't
see fit to mind me- But he'll mind
you, I've an idee-hey Gid, you ras-
cal?'
Gideon turned his face TO the wall
and some Of the scholars Uttered.
"Gid.'s smart enough boy, amt he,
Miss R--2'' asked Mr.. D..
Certainly replied Miss R,
cordially. He learns easily and
stands at the head of his classes"
Might make smart sort Of man,
eh?'
Il am sure of it, said Miss R.
IF he would only apply himself
and
Hear that, Gid! hear that, boyv'
cried Mr.. D, in kinder tone.
"Ain't you 'shamed to be lettin yer
talents run to waste whilst yer tryin'
to run out teachers that's trying to
make somethin' out'n your Now,
lookee here, Gid, you've got to mind
Miss R, amt he, ma 'ami'
He certainly must il he stays in
this school," said the teacher, without
a trace of anger in her voice.
He's got to stay in it." said Mr.
D.
Then he turned to the school, and
gave the boys and girls singular but
sensible talk on duty and obedience,
that did them good.
Miss R taught five years in
that school She fitted Gideon D
for college, and was the best friend he
ever had. His father said. and so did
Gideon, that she made a man Of
him"
Seemed to jest natchelly shake the