The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-01-23
The SCHOOL MURPHY MILL


TIL tell suu how. said grandpa to the listen
ing girls and boys.
"A teacher taught a bacSHoocs school TWAS
out IN Illinois
In rough and ready days when schools were not
as they are now
When many bolsterous deeds were done we
folks would not allow;
When people boosted OF their strength and
seemed take delight
In trying il on every one, and thought that
might was right;
When fathers Al barn raising bees would
wrestle, jump and box,
And when a man was little good who couldn't
stand the knocks
The school Of which speak was called the
worst for miles about;
No matter who essaycd 70 teach, the boys
would turn him cut
They somehow would arrange it TO discourage
every one,
For they were fun Of mischief and they did it
Just for fun
Committeeman would hire teachers every week
Who'd hold the fort q little while and gil at
once be through
Il seemed as IL there no hand with strength
those boys 20 rule,
And so twas orsy now and then tho district
had a schoaL-
-At times they used 10 hire youths Irorn college
fresh and new;
L didn't take them very lang 10 ind they
For he who puLoH city airs and had m uppish
way
bad not the zsry slightest chance Of having
long 10 say.
And then again the men employed would be so
They did not seem TO care to.tesch but simply
just TO oOss;'
And SO the boys for this or that found fault
with every one.
But 4. was oaiy mischief and their way Of hay
ing fun
They had 2half 4 score Of ways g pedagogue
TO roUE:.
Sometimes zhey'd close the chimney DER and
smolzr the teacher out
Or bar the doors. work some Cne OF many
cunning tricks
To place the new-found leader IN trying, help
less TX.
For when = lot of roguish boys decide to have
SOM fun,
The point they set about 10 gain is certain 10
be won.
And though the teacher might declare with
force he came to stay,
II nearly always happened that he quit and
went away.
'Onco when the school had long been closed
the word was sent around
That books would be resumed again; q teacher
had been found;
and all the sturdy youths who IN the former
sports had shared
Felt not a little pleasure, and for future sport
prepared
And little fellows much too mall 10 take an
active part
Were al on hand TO see the fun and get an
early start.
And ere the teacher had arrived the stragglers
all were in,
And waited quite impatieutly to see the fun
begin.
'I call the morn TO mind as though 'twere only
yesterday;
The fakes OF snow we're falling in q binding
sort OF way.
The wind was wildly blowing It in Heecy puts
about;
Twas Just jolly winter morn to turn teaeher
The boys assembled early, with the leaders all
on hand,
And al their schemes were nicely laid and
every thing was planned;
They waited FOR the teacher with curious sus-
pense,
And all we're very anxious that the doings'
should commence.
mo one could tell from whence the newly
hired teacher came,
Nor did il seem TO matter much; the end would
De the same
The boys with smiles recounted the victories
they'd won,
And talked Of what would come TO pass before
the day was done.
The storm grew fercer out OF doors, the snow
in scurries drove,
The boys were all within and closely huddled
round the stove
they were aware
The teacher-just = woman young and frail-
was standing there.
''The nercest fash Of lightning from the fairest
azure skies
Would not in the beholders waken more Of
deep surprise;
And DER the faces OF the youths who mischief
planned there came
A sudden flush OF color and look akin TO
shame.
In vain their minds had plotted ana for naught
their wits had schemcd,
For she was quite beyond the realm OF all
which they had dreamed;
The glances that were passed between wide
open, wondering eyes
Said nothing should be done until they might
reorganlze.
so at recess the boys convened TO talk the
matter DER,
For such q turn in their affairs had never come
before.
And one strong youth with frmness said: Who
dares that girl TO harm
VIII learn how much OF strength have laid up
in my right arm;
Who disobcys a rule she makes shall suffer for
the deed
And all the others then and there with him as
one agreed.
The youth who thus spoke up for her she loves
and houors still
Ask grandma II She ever taught the school at
Mur1lhy's Mil.''
Nixon Waterman, In Chicago Herald