The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-04-27

lUIE}N w
M5Q ; ; ;;: : IS; IS: );
M.%As aS> III 1t would DO
Iz;zEE|T.zR s snens as}s s in
tH+-1sssst advanced ideas
and increased
wealth to duplicate my original c,,pcri
encc. 1t was i'll the time when the
pcdagogue boarded around in the
"decstrict," and barring the teacher
out was among the most cherished
privileges of young America. l was
young, rather inclined to think that life
was worth living only for the fun to be
extracted from it, and became n rural
instructor only because parental
authority Thought the attendant cy-
pcricnce would tend to cure the mis-
chief and frivolity which seemed to
predominant i'll my makeup. My IA
Their secured Il position for me and
passed an examination that was easier
than the catcchism. Wise counsels
We're dinncd into my cars, and accom-
panying them was an intimation that
had pretty difficult lot of scholars to
deal with. This did not bother me so
much as the fact that must be seclud-
ed from the outer world and its en-
chantmcnts with which had been so
cnamorcd.
l had sympathetic brothers, for we
were Il big family of boys, and, while
cnlivening existence with occasional
quarrcls, we always stood by each
other as against the rest of the world
On the morning of my departure / was
full of troubles and half inclined to cut
loose from home restraints in the in
terest of the army, navy or develop
ment of mineral interests in the far
, west. In the first place, my clothes
did not fit. This is not resort To
modern slang, but the candid state
ment of solemn truth. My fathers
IDEA OF developing boys was to make
them thoroughly independent and un-
hampercd by convcntionalities. So
was not dressed in accordance with any
suggestions OF fashion, but after plans
and specifications original with the
head of the household. The coat |
wore was first donned on the occasion
OF wealthy aunt's wedding. At the
time of that somewhat gorgeous event
kept in the background as much as
possible, but even then could hear oc-
casional expressions of curiosity as to
who cut that coat?" 1t was too long,
too big around and without any claim
to popular Endorsement. The rest of the
outfit was in harmony with the coat.
10 obviate the humiliation which I
thought must attach to such a make
up | had anticipated my salary and in.
vested In stunning suit of fine cloth
and overwhelmingly broad measure bind
Ing This was slowed underneath a
pile of books in an old satchel in which
was to carry my possessions to an I'M
tried field of labor. But when | went
to hitching horse to the buggy pre-
paratory to making start those ia
therly ideas of sturdy independence
again obtruded themselves. l must
walk. The best men in the history of
the country had started out with no
aids save their own talents and their
indomitable will. The first stages
toward greatness were not to be taken
with horse and buggy.
OF course, was bluer than n bound
boy at husking, but read good deal
In the sly wink brother Cash gave me
as started across the orchard to short
en- the siX-miles trip ahead of me. A
half-milc walk took me around a curve
into the woods, and there l sat on an
old moss-grown log, wondering with
the perspicuity OF youth whether was
an adopted son or n natural offspring,
thus to be treated. Soon there came
the sound of rapidly-approaching
wheels and around tho DONNA. L;13
Cash at terrific rate of speed, using
the whip and holding the lines like
first-class jockey in close finish.
We found the schoolhousc, dinpy.
somewhat out OF plumb and somewhat
disfigurcd by coal shed in the rear
that suggested the cooked hat of a plo.
riously drunken man, while there was
knotty conuntlrum in the query as to
whether the shed was leaning on the
schoolhousc or the schoolhousc on the
shed.
Cash simply deposited the grin and
myself told me to keep "a stiff upper lip,
and sped for home. found the school
house unlocked, walked in. and there
stood vcritablc Amazon with sleeves
rolled to her arm pits, skirts pinned up,
her rcd hair disheveled and her frecl,led
face alive with curiosity.
BE You the new school-tcocbcro"
she inquired, by way of salutation.
That's the information have from
the directors and I've come down to
look the thing over" was my reply.
Better go back. You can't teach
this school We've throwcd two teach
crs ont this fall. Pshaw. No little