The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-04-24
THE NEW TEACHER.


"a Yankee school teacher, eh?' said
Johnny Bligh. "You'll see how soon
we'll pitch him out of doors / low
Western men is good enough for usn
"John, don't talk so," said his stop
mother, igh-shouldered, freckled
woman, with watery blue eyes and q
chronic drawl
But she smiled as she said it, and a
minute or so later the boy heard her
telling neighbor who had stepped in"
to borrow postage stamp and a sheet
of paper, ''what a fine spirit our johnny
has"
81 guess likely you behave yourself,
Jack" said Gilbert, the big brother, who
was mending harness out in the shed,
when John began to air his boasts out
there, ''or else you'll get first class
thrashing when you come back"
owe don't want no Yanks foolin'
round here, " said John, sullenly.
"Our folks was Yanks afore they was
Westerners, sagely observed Gilbert.
can the same, though, wish Joe Hol-
ley'd got the place instead O this Rhode
Island fellow. Joe's a good neighbor,
and he's got a right smart o. book
learnin'.n
"Gil," said John, leaning both elbows
on the shed window, ''why don't you go
in for schoolin'p
"Reckon I've got enough to pass in O
crowd" said Gilbert, boring series of
holes in check strap.
''No great thCughn retorted John.
"You can read-aud you can write-and
that's about ALL"
'I've always had something else to
think OF when deestrick school was
open, said Gilbert, composedly. "Times
has been brisk since father died. But
we've pretty nigh squared up the work
now, and if this Yank is pretty middin'
smart, / may take turn at my books
some time in the winter. I've always
thought ! should like to see into what
they call geometry. Joe Holley can't
teach that"
''No more can the Yank. 1 don't
reckon" said disaffected John.
Evidently his theories aud those of the
new teacher came into active conflict, for
the next day, the first of the school
quarter, he came blubbering home at
noon.
Teachers took away my books, and
won't let me hev' my dinner. basket :"
said he. Sand I'm hun-n-n-gry! !"
''The poor creeturn whined Mrs.
Bligh, instinctively cutting gigantic
wedge Of pumpkin pie, and looking
around for the cheese.
"Dont stop for that now, mother, 4"
said Gilbert, setting his teeth together.
"Como with me, John. Wen look into
this business
Never was mile moro rapidly traversed
than that eXpanse of dreary pines and
sere grass that lay between the district
school house and the Bligh farm. John,
running with all his breathless might,
could scarcely keep pace with his
brothers long, swinging strides.
GilberPs face was dark; his eyes
sparkled ominously. John glanced at
him now and then with scarcely subdued
awe.
"Girs proper mad" he said to himself.
sand when Gil's mad it means suthin'.n
Arrived at the little red brick build
ing at the cross roads, Bligh pushed the
door open and strobe fercely in.
"Now, then," said he, "what's this
about bullying little Jack Blighl pl
know the reason of it, or I'll -"
He stopped abruptly. Instead of the
tall, ungainly Yankee whom he had ex-
pected TO see behind the desk, trim,
pretty young girl, with iet-blacll hair
and n complexion like a ripe peach, rose
from the pedagogical chair.
"Well," said she, composedly, "what
is wanting2 Do you know, young man,
that it is the custom in civilized couu
tries to knock at the door before you
come in2 Children to the little flock,
who, with one accord, had raised their
heads, "all this does not in the least
concern you. Mind your lessons. John
Bligh, take your seat"
81 won'tm clustered Johnny, en-
boldened by the presence of his tall
brother. "Gimme my dinner basket.
Lemme have my books"
81 want to know" began Gilbert
Bligh, "what right you have
Miss Root-"Emma Abigail Root" 4" 1t
was in the school certificate raised a
warning finger.
"Silencein she said. 'Ieave this
room at once! will not have my dis
cipline interlered withw
"l-wont!" again bawled the bellig
erent Johnny.
AAN AAlAAANA AANANA AAANAl bltdNls
Miss Root took in the situation at
once, and briskly seizing the young
rebel by the coat-collar, walked him
into the kcloset and turned the key
in the door.
Gilbert advanced to rescue him, but
while he stood chiValrously unwilling to
lay violent hands on woman, Miss
Root turned upon him and took him by
the wrist, as if he had been a chlld.
"Did you hear me te you to goP
said she and put him out at the door
without further ceremony.
A thrill ran through the little audience.
The sohOol-ma am had triumphed over
laIless johnny Bligh, and afterward
conquered his big brother Her rule
was thoroughly established now; there
would be no further fear of revolt.