South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-03-29


came length OF time, you will be sor-
ry for it.
With a sheer on his face, Giieon
coolly clasped his hands over his head
Strengthened himself up in his seat,
and stared at Miss R with COM
presscd lips that showed no sign of
yielding.
Even those who were there and saw
what followed were unable to give O
very coherent account Of it.
They said the lid OF Miss r IS
desk vent up like a flash. that she
drew from II long, new rawhide, an /
seemed to fairly ny down the aisle to
Gideon's seat.
He had not for one mo ment expect.
cd that che would dare use force with
him. He had confidently expected to
fri2hten her a. the last, and seemed to
think that his boldness had stricken
her with terror. Most Of the other
lady teachers had cried when he de-
fed them, and he rather expected
| Miss R. to beat a retreat of
some sort.
lie was. therefore, wholly uppre Il.
pared for the vigor and fury of Miss
R s onslaught. He had not time
10 even leave his seat when one OF
Miss Rs strong. bony hands was
fastened firmly in his long, thick hair,
his head was pulled forward, ami the
blows rained down on his back, every
stroke cutting the air with a sharp
wnirring 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 ia len into such hand,
before. Her grip was like wise
She shook hin until his teeth chat
tered she whipped him until he fair
~ roared, aud some af the llttle chill
3ren began to cry.
Pull her off. boys; pull her off l.
roared Gideon. at last. Here you,
Bob Green, jed. Likes, Luke Shaw,
help, helpr
The boys whose names he called
sat awe stricken in their seats. The
whole school looked on - wonder AMI
amazement. not unmixel With delight
on the part of some whom Gideon had
tyrannized over all their lives.
When he at last lay wrirhing and
begging for mercy in bis seat. Miss
r. loosed her grasp. and said:
Now. Gideon, we understand each
other clearly, don't we know all
about the teachers you've run out,
AMI all about your plans for treating
me in similar manner, and l hope
that you understand now that I'm
not to bo run out by You. and that
Good for you. Miss RI Hoo
rsy for you! That's the talk Lick
ed my Gid, ebp That's right, Lick
ed him good! Good cnoughp
Miss Il - looked up. In the
opoD doorway there stood a tall, an
GUAR man, dressed in the gsrb Of a
farmer. His sunburned face wore a
pleased expression, and he burst into
laugh as Gideon looked up with
streaming eyes.
i thought I'd be needed here this
morning. continued Mr.. D.
but see | amt. Fact is, l over
heard Gid. tell Luke Shaw this morn.
ing when Luke stopped on the way to
school for Gid, and the two of 'em
was out in the barn together L heer.
ed Cd. make his brags as how he al.
lowed 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 no,hin', but I Jest made
up my mind I'd be on hand TO take
part in that circus myself, and if you
couldn't manage Gid, could
You've teachid' a good school here,
Miss Il It's the beet school
we've had for long time. I've kind
o been lettin' Gid. do bout as he
pleased heretofore, but | been think
ing the matter over a good deal Of
late, and fggered out that IL wan
the fair thing To let big, sassy boy
like Gid. make trouble for q lady
teacher, and said as much 10 Gid, but
he didn't see fit to mind me. But
he'll mind you, I've On iaee-hey
Gid. you rascal 2
Gideon turIed his face TO the wall
aud some Of the scholars Uttered.
'Gid's smart enough boy, amt he,
Miss R asked Mr.. D..
Certainly replied Miss R,
cordially. lie learns easily and
stands ct the head of bis classes
Might make a smart sort Of man,
eli p
i am sure oft, said Miss r..
IF he would only apply himself
and
Hear that, Cid. hear that, boy =
cried Mr.. D., in n kinder tone.
Amt you 'shamed TO be lettin' yer
talents run TO waste whilst yer tryin'
to run out teachers that's tryin TO
make somethin Ourn you Now,
lookee here Gil. you've got TO mind
Miss r., amt he, ma'am?'
lie certainly must if lac stays in
this school, said the teacher, without
a trace Of anger in her voice.
He's got to stay in it, said Mr..
ID -.
Ihcn he turned 10 the school, and
gave tie BOYS and girls a singular but
sensible talk on duty and obedience,
that did them good.
Miss R taught five years i'm
that school. She fitted Gideon D.
for college, md was tho best fiiend
he ever had. His father said, and
so did Gideon, that she made a man