The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-09-04
PETE VINDICATED.

March TO-. 1913, was u cold dreary
day. A piercing wind swept across
the desolate. lowlands, while sleet
and snow fell ait brief intervals. The
winter had been unusually long and
severe, and the pioneers Of Northern
Ohio were beginning to- hope for an
early and favorable spring, when
this furious storm set in, to last for
many days. Regardless OF the in
clemency of the weather the rude lit
4 tie, school-house at Nantucket was
Well'flled with pupils that night.
The school-house, if such it could
be called, was . small log structure,
which had been built hastily, and
with the utmost disregard for archi-
tectural beauties. A hugh Informed
clay chimney, a strong oaken door
hung on heavy hinges, and two
small windows, alone relieved the
monotony afforded by the heavy
log walls and thatched root. It
stood in an open square that served
as the business center of Nantucket.
Not only was it intended to serve as a
school-house during the long winter
evenings, but as a Sunday meetin'-
house and a town hall, to say moth
ing aboatit's being occasionally used
as a temple ofjustice. The seventy
families living in and around Nav
tucket contributed literally to the
composition of winter classes.
Storms did not deter these hardy
young people from devouring the
slight knowledge that came within
their grasp, and on this particular
/ ly stormy night but few were absent.
The schoolroom itself was no incen-
tive to hard study, for, were it not
for a roaring fire on the huge stone
hearth, the interior would have been
as unattractive as the exterior, The
heavy benches, with their high,
straight backs, were in keeping with
the rough walls and ceiling. The
room was lighted by number of
"dips,' a dozen in all, distributed
advantageously about the room.
i These "dips" were made by pouring
boiling grease into fat dishes of tin
or delft, with anarrow piece Of rolled
cloth in the center. They burned
slowly, much the same as the more
modern candle, and furnished a poor,
unsteady light. They were donated
by the pupils in rotation, and af-
forded not a little mirth and live
competition to those who claimed to
be able to produce the best ''dips.' .
At the end of the room, directly op-
posite the door, stood the teachers
desk, an object held in deep rever-
ence, not because Of the dignity at
tached to the office, but on account
OF the person who occupied it atthat
particular time.
The people were of all ages, sizes
and conditions. The majority OF
they had emigrated to the West before
them were able to lisp. Then there
were those who had been roaming
about the country west Of the Allie
ghanies for years in quest of fortune
and who had never found time nor
enjoyed opportunities which would
enable them to learn to read and
write. On the first bench, directly in
front OF the teacher, sat stalwart
young man dressed in coarse, home
spun garments. He sat erect; his
well-shaped head. covered with a
mass Of rich, jet black, wavv hair.
was thrown slightly back. The LIGHT
of vigorous life shone in his ewes,
while his Grecian nose and finely
chlseled lips and chin spoke of the
mastery scholar, and not of poor,
backwoods pupil. This young man
was "Pete, the plow-boy;;" he was
know byn other name in Nantucket.
nor did he wish to be. He knew little
about his early life. save that he had
been alone in the world as long as
ne could remember. Surely that was
sufficient knowledge for him, consid-
ering the hardships he had endured.
He came to Nantucket in quest
OF work, and found it in follow
ing the pillow Of a farmer. When
asked his name he would reply: ssI'm
Pete, the boy that follows Farmer
Taft's plow." 1t did not take much
persuasive power to induce him to
attend the night school when he
learned that he would not be, Dy any
means, the largest and oldest pupil
IN attendance. He evinced a decided
taste for learning, and was soon in
the lead Of all Others as an apt stu
dent. While he was popular, he also
made many secret enemies; more es-
pecially because at times, it seemed
as though the teacher favored this
particular pupil more than any Of
the others.
The teacher, Miss Felicia LoWrey
was spry little woman, who had.
for some mysterious reason or 9th
q, braved the hardships of
of an overland journey from Boston
to Nantucket, and cast in her lot
with the hardy settlers. She expert