The Forrest City times., 1890-08-23
ROY BERRY;
vNg FRvIrs or lNrsMpERANcu
BY GEO. W. woOLsEY.
toopusons 1889, by the AutAor.l
fcnArrxH vIn. coxrrsusp.]

John Henderson was going to school to ola Berry, and the gossiping old ladies in the neighborhood put their heads togeth- or" and in little while came to the con- clusion ''that John was not going to school to learn anything, and that they wouldn't wonder if Misses Berry had a son-in-law in her family before the term was out"
 Ola paid no attention to what this one or that one said, but went right along successfully with her school; and, 1t was not until the end of the third week that there was any sign of rebellion on the part of any one of her scholars. On that Friday afternoon, as was always the custom there, the school was engaged in spell ing match.
 The rule was for two of the scholars, generally the two conceded to be the best spoilers, to choose up" and spell for the championship of sides" About the mid de of the afternoon Jim Golf, a big, burly, awkward sixteen-year-old fellow, missed . word, and little fellow on the other side spelled him down, but he refused to ait down as was the rule when one missed.
 Ola requested him to take his seat as he was fairly spelled down. He got mad and began to swear and threatened to '.clcar out the house. if he was not allowed to have his own way; and he twas not going to be spelled down by little tow-headed kid"
 Ola had. in former days, witnessed a number of serious affairs he had had with other teachers, and knowing his very bad disposition she hestated to correct him; but finally summoned courage and told him Chat he must obey or leave the room at once
 He looked at her like lion making ready to bounce upon helpless fawn, but aid not move muscle of his body.
 John Henderson remained silent wit ness as long as sense of duty would al low him, and seeing ola's alarm, he step< ped out, and, facing Jim Con, he let him know in plain words that he was not the ruler there if he could swear the loudest and had .slicked" more teachers than all the other boys in the school
 You stan back or pll black your eye," said Jim, in a fearful rage.
 ''Then black away" said John, firmly, ''for I shall not move one step backward until you sit down as you have been or hered to do. and if you utter another un- gsntlemanly word 1 will so completely disdgurs your face with my fist that your mother will not recognize you when she sees you again." and at the same time pulling of his coat and giving every sign of desperate earnestness.
 Stand aside, John," said Ola; 1T will see fair play here" And then going to her desk at the other end of the room, she picked up the beech switch which is con sidered as holding second place with n teacher in country school, and returning within few feet of Jim. she first ad- dressed her remarks to John, who was still standing in anything else than & pleasant mood and within reach of Jim.
 Il have been employed to teach this school, and shall do it to the very best of my ability: and whilo I am here in the capacity of teacher all who attend the school are expected to and shall obey"
 A little seven-year-old boy clapped his hands at this last remark, but reproying look from Ola quieted him and she con- tinued--
 "If there is fighting to be done, will do 1t myself" and then turning to Jim, she said--
 Twice already have asked you to sit down or leave the room, and now when I make the third request it must be obeyed. |"
 ''Sit down, I sayf'
 Jim stood there like statue with de- liant look and "I'll do as I bleasen ex- ipression on his face.
 Ola placed herself squarely before him, and, raising the switch with her slender arm, she said
 "Jim, I give you just one minute to de- eide between obeying and Q good sound whipping
 Everything was as still as the silent tomb. The teacher and the defiant boy stood face to face without exchanging an other word, and at the end of the minute Ola brought the switch down upon the stubborn boys limbs with tremendous force and rapidity.
 The hitherto champion fighter of the school was greatly amazed and before he could fully realize the situation he had received more than dozen severe blows. which 50 enraged him that he sprang like Avicious tiger, and seizing Ola would been properly and promptly dealt power ful blow by John Henderson, which brought him to the floor"
 "Take that, rufflanl'' said John: land If you attempt to lay your hands upon her again will give you another one"
 "Will you now sit downs' asked Ola; Tor shall continue with this disaes reeable and digraceful scenef"
 Jim was already smarting with pain and hlled with indignation. His vicious na- ture was hard to subdue, but he was al- most persuaded to yield. But the thought of being whipped and conquered by wo- man was too much for him ana he re- solved to make q break for the door and liberty.
 Ola nnftrad hf1 syit nd sS,ary his intention, was moro than ever deter mined that he should obey her last re- guest to sit down, and stepping to the door she locked 1t and put the key in her pocket.
 Then turning to the sullen boy whose anger knew no bounds, but who was as helpless as caged lion, she pointed to the seat which she had previously requested him to take. Hc gave her vicious look that almost chilled the blood in her veins. put did not move III tlscie.
 Ola renewed the attack with greater courage and power Fast and hard the blows fell upon his back and limhs His face changed color. and his eyes sparkled with rage, but finally he dropped into the seat and Ola ceased her rather impressive persuasicn.
 The chastisement was thorough nnd tho victory complete The smaller scholars were frightened nearly to death and the older ones were but little less excited and all was confusion in the school room for a tims, but quiet was again restored and the spelling was continued withoue fur thsr trouble.
 Jim Goff had been terror to the school ever since he had been in the neighhor- hood, and had driven away two or tnree teachers who came near losing their life while in dischargs of their duty in trying to compel him to submit to the reasonable rules of the school
 Hs was in all particulars . very bad fel- low. and without friend among all his acQuaintances except two or three boys who hs was training In his own way. They were fiat becoming hard-drinkers. and 1t had long been tho general opinion of everyone who know him that he would become desperado; and, therefore, hs va shunned by nearly everybody In tho noaghb0rhood. It wmn thoughs by mnst