The Southern herald., 1890-08-15
lrAgsoHooLA At MuRPHYsMILL

i'Tll tell you how" said grandpa to the listen
ing girls and boys
"a teacher taught backwoOds school Twas
out in Illinois
IN rough and ready days when schools were not
as they ore now
When many boisterous deeds were done we
folks would not allow;
When people boasted of their strength and
seemed to take delight
In trying II on every one, and thought that
might was right;
When fathers at barn raising bees would
wrestle, jump and box,
AND when man was little good who couldn't
stand the knocks.
'The school Of which speak was called the
worst for miles abouti
No matter who essRyed to teach, the boys
would turn him out.
They somehow would arrange It to discourage
every ono,
| For they were full Of mischief and they did II
Just for fun.
| Committeeman would hire teachers every weeA
or two,
who'd hold the fort little while and all az
once be through.
| It seemed as II there was no hand with strength
those boys to rule,
And 80 twas only now and then the district
had school
"At times they used to hire youths from colleg'
fresh and new;
II didn't take them very long to ma the
wouldn't do
For he who put on city airs and had an upplsl
way
Had not the very slightest chance OF havin
long to stay.
And then again the men employed would be
very cross
They did not seem to care to teach but sinpl
Just to 'boss;'
And SO the boys for this or that found faul
with every one,
But II was only mischief and their way OF ha'
ing fun.
'Thcy had half score of ways Q pedagogy
to rout;
Sometimes they'd close the chimney DER an
smoke the teacher out,
Or bar tho doors, or work some ono Of mar
cunning tricks
TO place the new.found leader in o trying. hel
For when lot Of roguish boys decide to ha'
some fun,
The point they set about to gain IS certain
be won.
And though the teacher might declare WI
force he came TO stay,
II nearly always happened that he quit a
went away.
"once when tho school had long been clos
the word was sent around
Q That books would be resumed again; teacf
. had been found;
And all the sturdy youths VINO In tne TORN
/ a aI.a
Felt not a little pleasure, and for future sp
prepared.
And little fellows much too small to take
Were all on hand to SEQ the fun and get
early start.
And ere the teacher had arrived the straggl
y all were In,
And waited quite impatiently to see the
begin.
'T call the morn to mind as though 'twere o
>. yesterday;
!. The flakes Of snow were falling In blind
sort Of way.
The wind was wildly blowing It in heecy
= about;
Twas just jsliy winter morn 10 turn teac
out.
Tho boys assembled early, with the leaders
on hand, ora
And ell their schemes were nicely laid
every thing was planned;
They waited for the teacher with curious
pense,
And all were very anxious that the dol
should commence.
mo one could tell from whence the nj
hired teacher came.
,nf Nor did II seem to matter much; the end "
les be the same.
IN. The boys with smiles reoounted the vict'
they'd won,
= And talked Of what would come to pass bt
the day was DONE
The storm grew flercer out Of doors, the
in scurries drove,
Tho boys were all within and closely hud
round the stove.
All unannounced the door swung back and
~ they were aware
IAh The teacher-just woman young and Fl
was standing there.
''The fercest fash Of lightning from the ia
azure skies
Would not in the beholders waken MOI
deep surprise;
And DER the faces Of the youths whUrnis
planned there came
] u A sudden flush OF color and look ak
shame.
In vain their minds had plotted and for ns
their wits had schemed,
For she was quite beyond the realm
which they had dreamed; ~
p The glances that were passed between
open, wondering eyes E
Said nothing should be done until they
reorganiEe.
"So ct recess the boys convened TO tai
matter DER, A. -t
For such turn in their affairs had never
. before.
Ana one strong youth with flrmnesS said;
dares that girl to harm
at win learn how much Of strength have i
jUt, in my right arm;
Who disobeys . rule she makes shall sun
the deed
the Ana all the others then and there with h
ssis- one agreed. s.65
The youth who thus spoke up for her she
and honors still.
Ask grandma II sho ever taught the scht
--- Murphy's Millr
Nixon Waterman. in Chicago HeI