Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-24

and my previous experience as an instruct
or, the elder remarked to Mr.. Adams: 81
| think it best to proceed with the examina.
ton, )" and having received the stereotyped
reply, "Just as you say, elder" the inquisi.
| tion began at once.
/ answered the first dozen questions with
such readiness that Elder Hawkins evident.
| lv began to fear that his reputation as a
| rigid and thorough examiner was at stake.
He took from his shelves a number of vol
1rles and began asking from them the
hardest questions he could find therein, OF
that his ingenuity could frame. Such an
ordeal never passed through before or
since.
l got good deal mixed on some uues-
tions during the four hours that the examina-
tion lasted, butthe impression had made at
first was amply sufficient to carry methrough
success ully. As the elder laid down the
last volume of the set from which he had
selected his questions began to congratulate
myself, feeling sure of securing a certificate.
The examination, however, was not vet
finished. The next question wa the most
difficult of all. Turning toward me and
locking over his spectacles, while Mr..
Adams grinned, but said nothing Che knew
what was coming), Elder Hawkins asked !:
"Do YOU think you can lick a strong,
ugly boy nearly as large as yourseli?"
Really, Elder Hawkins, i hope no oc-
casion will arise when such a proceeding
will he necessary"
ut will be necessary. Can you do it?"
Possibly 1 would not venture to ex-
press an opinion until had sized up the
bows physical proportions
"Could you handle the lad that came up
with you on the stage from Mesopotamia
last night?'
81 wouldn't like to try it."
"But you will have to try it. No school,
master that we have had in the past FIVE
wears ever got through term without CIV
ing Ned Kingley a sound whipping, and
our most success ul teachers have been COM
PEELED to thrash him about dozen times
apiece. He is thoroughly bad and sure to
make trouble. What will you do with
him?"
Let me answer that question later,
please. II he attends the school be must
obey me"
That's the talkl Your requirements
have been found satisfactory. and we have
no hesitancv in issuing you a certificate
eh, Mr.. Adams?''
Just as you say, elder"
When 1 walked up TO the schoolhouse a
few minutes before O'Clock on the next
Monday morning 1 encountered Ned Kings
ley on his way to school. He wanted to
hurry by, but stopped him, bidding him
good morning, shaking hands, and ex-
pressing the pleasure 1 had in finding that
one of my pupils, at least, was not an entire
stranger.
Look a-here, teacher" began Ned. ct
suppose old Hawkins has told you about
me2"
elder Hawkins did mention your name,
certainly"
'Yes, know how he mentioned it-same
as he always does, confound him; I'm
tough case, but his telling everybody so
don't make me any better, can promise
you"
Look here, Ned" said L: f'Lets have an
understanding. You are to be nv oldest
scholar, and took liking to YOU before 1
knew that you were coming to school at all.
wan somebody of about my own age that
can talk to, and go fishing and hunting
with on saturdays and holidays. You
know the woods about here, suppose?"
''Better'n know anything in the books.
Say, can you shoot seuirrels?"
"Tf can find them. Will you 90 with
me next Saturday? 1t would be favor to
me-"