Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-08-25

The ten cent pieces were gathered to-
gether and a splendid bunting flag OF
ample size was ordered. Then half a
dozen of the older boys selected a straight
young tree for pole, cut it down.
trimmed of the branches and in a short
time the flagstaff. properly fitted with
halyards, was raised
II was decided to raise the flag on Oct.
II. the twenty-ifth anniversary Of the
admission of their state into the Union.
The boys and girls worked ike beavers
during the days that interviewed to ar
range a demonstration which would be
a credit TO Columbia Corners.
The eventful day came at last, and it
seemed as though everybody in the
county was on hand to see the flag
raised. Cheer after cheer went up
when It's stars and stripes were thrown
70 the breeze. The band swelled
the chorus with the Star Spangled
Banner" Then came the presenta-
tion. the address Of acceptance and the
pledge Of allegiance. The closing num-
Der on the programme was the recita-
ton Of Mr.. Butterworth's poem, Rails
ing the School House Flag by Willie
Piper, the school joining in the refrain:
Flag Of the sun that glows for all.
Flag OF the breeze that blows for al.
Flag Of the sea that flows for all.
Flag Of the school that stands for all.
Flag Of the people, one and all
But the flag and staff which had cost
so much effort were not long allowed 10
grace the school undisturbed. One
morning about a week after the raising
the staff was found cut off level with
the ground. One Of the school windows
had been forced open and the flag was
gone. An impudenr note in a miserable
scrawl fastened to the stump of the staff
bore testimony to the spirit Of vandal-
ism which had inspired the act It
closed with the words. "We'l cut down
your poles and Ing of your flags as fast
as VOC hist EN-.
For the moment the Young teacher
was stunned. She was not only thor
oughly indignant. but she felt the keen
est disappointment. This latter feeling
was due not so much 70 the loss Of the
flag and the destruction Of the pole. but
rather to the realization that there were
wanton characters in that community
who would disregard the national en-
blem. She knew that a second flag
would probably share a similar fate.
The school building was too far removed
from the village IL permit its being kept
under very close guard. Nevertheless
she was determined that flag should
fly over her school.
The news Travelled through the vii
lage. 1t was on every ones tongue.
The local paper, in highly colored half
column article, rec0unted every detail Of /
the occurrence. The state papers noted
the episode. berated the miscreanrs and
warmly commended Miss Fenion's an
nounced determination TO raise a second
flag and protect ii herself.
The pupils were now thoroughly in
earnest, and not many days elapsed be-
fore their accumulated savings were suf- I
fcient to buy f4g exactly ike the first 4
one.
During these days a taller and straight 4
Fl tree than the first was transformed /
into a staff and occupied the old place ]
Of honor IN front Of the school When f
the flag arrived II was promptly raised,
and the Columbia Corners school was
again Swallowed By the national col0rs.
The local paper chroniclel the fact
hat another flag had been raised. and
added that tie miscreants
vho carried of the first one would
scarcely have the nerve TO carry out the
threat TO serve other tags which might
= raised over that school after a Ike
ashton.
1t was not, however. generally known
hat Miss Fenton was wei prepared 10
lefend the flag from molests1i0n during
chool hours. Crly a few were aware
hat Winchester rife was Locked IN her
mall closet IN the enrry. These friends
new the resolure spirit which Miss Fen
"a possessed. and not one douhsed that,
+ occasion required. she would make use
( it,
For over a week following tAe arrival
{ the new fag the routine Ct school