Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-10-15

I say from the very first, or else shall
fog you and put You out of school,"
"My fathers trustee" gasped Bill
Dock.
"I don't care if he is fifty trust ees
You must promise to do as 1 say or
shall fling you out of school now; yor
understands"
"Ye-yes," said Bill Dock.
"Say yes, sir. e"
eyes, sir, 1 understan d."
"Good; go back to your seat"
Robert Cole resumed his Inaugural
address just as if nothing had hap
pened.
Beyond lecturing a red-headed gir
of sixteen till she 'cried--she was also
Dook-nothing unusual occurred
during the rest OF the day.
Robert examined his scholar,
praised the bright ones, encouraged
the backward and got them all classi
fed.
Up to this time the oldest inhabit
ant of District 10 could not recall Q
teacher who began operations after
Mr.. Coles manner.
He had not been there long enough
to have his qualifications as teache,
called in question by the gossips; they
did not know him long enough to
make charges against his character, sc
even the Docks had to confess that
while the young teacher had rather
queer notions to start with, he meant
right.
Robert Cole got his school we'll Or
ganized; he treated all alike, and
while during study hours he never re.
laxed his discipline, at noon and re-
cess he went out and played with the
children, and so prevented rude con-
duct and vulgar language.
Bill Dock was on his guard and took
care not to offend again, though
hitherto lie had been the terror OF all
the teachers; from his dogsed manner,
Robert Cole saw that the fellow har
Eored revenge and that sooner OF later
he would try to crafty it.
AS the winter came on Ned Dock, @
young man of twenty, who had left
school ''for good two years before,
took it into his head to attend again.
Ned Dock was heavy, powerful
fellow, and had the reputation of be
ing the best wrestler in the county.
One of Roberts friends limited tc
him that Ned Docks object in coming
to school was to make trouble for the
teacher rather than to get instruction
from him, and Robert soon saw that
his friend was right.
The teacher, not bit alarmed, de.
termined to carry out his one rule fol
all. He would not let the big boys
smoke or chew tobacco either in the
schoolhouse or on the grounds.
edward Dock, arc you chewing
tobacco?" asked the teacher, the day
after the big brother had entered the
school.
eyes, I am," said Ned Dock, and
to prove it lie spat on the floor.
"You cannot chew tobacco here
apart from the example you set the
younger boys, l cannot stand such
filth in the schoolroom.
"I've chawed for years." laughed
Moa.
II don't care what you have done,
you can't use tobacco in this school
house. Go to the door aud throw that
stuff in your mouth out"
Ned Dock laughed aud threw the
quid OH the floor.
"Pick that stuff up and throw il
out" said the teacher, calmly and
firmly.
"Throw it ont yourself, Mr..
Teacher, but l WON'T" said Ned
Dock.
''It is ten minutes to noon, but
shall dismiss school now and call il
ten minutes earlier. The school will
all leave but Edward Dook."
With alarm in their faces, the chill.
dren went out, and some OF the bigger
boys, among them Bill Dock, with q
look of satisfaction on his ugly face
looked in the windows.
Edward Dock tried to smile when
the teacher locked the door and came
back to him, but his trembling lips
showed that his confidence in himself
was somewhat shaken.
"Will you do as ! told you, sir,
said the teacher, coming so close thai
he might have laid his hand on the
others arm.
Ned Docks reply was fierce oatf
and savage blow.
"You licked my brother, but you
can't lick me-
Robert Cole saw his tack and knew
his man. He threw off the blow will
lis right hand and before Ned Dock
who was as clumsy as he was power
full, could recover, blow planted be
tween his eyes sent him in heap tc
the floor.
Quick as fash Robert dragged hi'
rebellious pupil to the platform ant
set him OH his feet.
The young savage struck another
blow ard again was knocked down
Then Robert seized a short pointer
and he applied it to the fellows arms
and shoulders till he roared with pain
"Will you do as say, Ned Dook?'
eyes" howled the beaten cur.
"Then pick up that tobacco ant
throw it out. Quick, or shall take of
your coat and wear out another pointer
on you."
Ned Docks picked up the tobacco
and when the teacher opened the dool
for him to throw it out he ran bare
headed like q deer in the direction o
his home. followed by his frightened
brother.
During the rest of the day Rober,
continued rs if nothing had happened,
and his school was model of order.