The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-09-06
HE KEPT SCHOOL.

VI aAABCAAf 1AAlAAs A14 II SUN HAA
that out if you try. We've had three
who tried Il on. One rests there in the
graveyard; aHother one suddenly be
came lame from a pistol bsll, and left;
the last one opened school and skipped
before noon time for the good of his
health. He hasn't been back since
Now. you're of a slender build. and all
your larnin' viii only make it The worse
for our young folks are rough. and don't
stand no nonsense"
This was what the trustee OF that
district said to my friend. Harry
Flotee. when he made application for
the vacant position Of teacher.
let me try. ! know | am not of
athletic build. but | am tough, and
I've a strong WILL" said Harry
lest as you like. There's the
schoolhouse. and I'll have notice
given if you want 1t done" said the
trustee.
Il do said Harry. And I'll open
next Monday at nine a. M"
The notice was given. and there
was good deal of excitement In the
gulch and all along the Yuba fats
More than so young people of both
sexes made an excuse to drop into
the hotel to get a sight of the fellow
who thought he could keep school in
that district, and many contempt
uous glance fell on the slender form
and youthful face of the would.be
teacher.
Eight o'clock Monday morning
came, and Harry Flotee went down
to the schoolhouse with the key in
one hand and a valise in the other.
"All ready to slope if he finds we're
100 much for him. said a cross-eyed,
breads houldered fellow of IS.
The schoolhouse was unlocked and
the new teacher leisurely walked to
the desk. Some OF the young folks
strolled In to see what he was going
to do. though school was not called.
Harry opened his yalise and took
out large belt Then, after buckling
It around his waist. he put three navy
revolvers there, each of six barrels
and bowie knife ten inches In the
blade.
Thunder! He means business!
muttered the cross-eyed chap.
| The new teacher now took out .
square card, about four inches eacf
way, walked to the other end Of this
schoolhouse and tackled II up against
the ceiling. Returning to his desk
he drew a revolver from his belt, ant
quick as thought sent ball after bal
ii the card. till there were six holes
in a spot not much larger than a sill
yer dollar.
BY this time the schoolhouse wa
| half full of large boys and girls. tn
! little ones were afraid to come in
Then the teacher walked halfwa
down the room with the bowie knit
in his hand and threw 1t with so tru
band that 1t stuck quiyering in tn
very center of the card.
He left it there. and put two NOR
knives of the same kind in his bel
and quietly reloaded his yet smo<in
pistol.
Ring the bell. I am about to ope
school"
He spoke to the cross.eyed boy. tn
bully Of the crowd, and that boy ran
the bell WITHOUT a word.
4 THE scholars will take their seat
open school with prayer" he salt
sternly, FIVE minutes later.
The scholars sat down, sllen
almost breathless.
After the prayer the teacher cooke
a revolver and walked down on th
floor.
1--WE will arrange the classes" b
said. IAN who can read, write an
spell will rise. OF them we will forl
the first class"
Only six got up. He escorted sAN'
to upper seats, and thea he began
examine the ,rest. A wh;rnar WI
heard behind him. In seconl h
wheeled, revolver in hani
mo whispering allowed hcr9'" h
Numbered. and for an instant his r
voIver lay on level with the eros
: eyed boys head.
"Ill not do so any more" gaspe
the bully
See you do not. never give
second warning said the teache
and the revolver fell.
It took two hours TO organize u
classes. but when done they wei
wen organized. Then came reces
The teacher went out, too for II
room was crowded and hot. A haw
was circling overhead high in the al
The teacher drew revolver and Tn
next second that hawk came tumblin
down among the wondering scholar
: From that day on Harry kel
school for two years in CranberI
Gulch. his salary doubled after II
first quarter; and his pupils learne
TO love as we'll as respect him, an
: the revolvers went out of sight insit
a month.
They had found man at last WI
could keep school there.--Californ
Ned. in N. Y. Weekly.