West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-04-04
THE NEW TEACHER.

"a Yankee school teacher, eh7p said
Johnny Bligh you'll see how soon
well pitch him out OF doors I'low
Western men is good enough for us -
John, don't talk So" said his step-
mother, high-shouldered, freckled
woman. with watcry blue eyes and a
chronic drawl
But she smiled as she said it, and n
mluute or so later the boy heard her
telling neighbor who had ''stepped inn
to borrow postage stamp and a sheet
of paper, "wha. fine spirit our johnny
has.
II 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, cor else you'll get a first-class
thrashing when you come back.n
"We don't want no Yanks foolin'
round here" said John, sullenly.
sour folks was Yanks afore they was
Westerners, sage'y observed Gilbert.
''All 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 right smart o. book
learnin'."
"Gil, said John, leaning both elbows
on the shed window, why don't you 90
IN for schoolin'p
Reckon I've got enough to pass in a
crowd, " said Gilbert, boring series of
holes in check strap.
''No great, thcugh'' retorted John.
''You can read--and you can write-aud
that's about ALL"
''Pve always had something else to
think OF when deestrick school was
open, +" said Gilbert, composedly. oTimes
has been brisk since father died. But
we've pretty nigh squared up the work
now, and If this Yank is pretty middlin'
smart, l may take turn at my books
some time in the winter. Pve ALWAYS
thought should like to see into what
they call geometry. Joe Holley can't
teach thatl"
mo more can the Yank. don't
reckon" said disaffected John.
Evidently his theories and 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. "And Pm hun n -n-gry ("
"The poor creetur" whined Mrs.
Bligh, instinctiyely cutting a gigantic
wedge of pumpkin pie, and looking
around for the cheese.
''Don't stop for that now, mother. y
said Gilbert, setting his teeth together.
''Come with me, John. Wen look into
this business" "
Never was mile more 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 ewes
sparkled ominously. John glanced at
him now and then with scarcely subdned
awe.
"GiPs proper mad, - nc sad to himself.
"And when Gil's mad il means suthin'. -
Arrived at the little red brick build
ing at the cross roads, Bligh pushed the
door open and strobe fercely in.
wow, them" said he, ''what's this
about bullying little Jack BIighl ri
know the reason Of it, OF I'll -"
BE stopped abruptly. Instead OF the
tall, ungainly Yankee whom he had ex-
pected 70 see behind the desk, a trim.
pretty young girl, with jet-black hair
and complexion like ripe peach, rose
from the pedagogical chair.
''Well, said she, cOmposediy. "what
Is wantingl Do you know, young man.
that IL is the custom in civilized coun
tries to knock at the door before Won
come inl Children" to the little fock
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"
~ won't" !" clustered johnny. EN-.
boldened By the presence Of his tain
brother. "Gimme my dinner basket.
Lemme have my books"
II want 10 know" began Gilbert
Bligh, what right you have"
Miss Boot-"Emma Abigail Root. . II
vas IN the school certificate raised n
warning finger.
"Silencef" she said. 'Teave tbiq
room At oncel I will not have my dis
cipline irterfercd withw
'I-won'tw again bawlod the belliq
eront Johnny.
The children held their breath
Miss Root took I'm the situation M
once, and briskly seizinQ tho youpg
febel BY tho coat t-cOllar. walked him
INTO the book-clOsct and turned the KEY
IN the door
Gilbert advanced TO rescue him. but
while he stood chivalrously unwilling TO
Jay violent hands on q woman, Miss
Root turned upon him and took him bv
The wrist, as Il he had been a child.
tDid you hear me to- you 20 Qoln
iaid she: and put him out az the door
without further ceremony.
a thrill ran through the little audience.
The school ma SIN had triumphod over
iaWless Johnny Bligh and afterward
conquered his big brother. Her reie
was thoroughly established now. there
would bo no furihcf fear Of revolt