Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-08-04
HE KEPT SCHOOL.

larDlu JHHI TeQulTeu III d SCHOOl'
teacher. But it wants more than larn.
in to make a chap able to keep school
in Cranberry Gulch. You'll soon find
that out if you try. We've had three
who tried it on. One rests there in the
graveyard; another one suddenly be.
came lame from a pistol ball. and left
the last one opened school and skipped
before loon time for the good of his
health. He hasn't been back since,
Now, you're of a slender build. and all
your larnin' will only make 1t 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 l am not of
athletic build, but l am tough, and
I've a strong WILL" said Harry.
"Jest as o like. There's the
schoolhouse, and I'll have notice
given if you want it DONE" said the
trustee.
81 do" said Harry. "And I'll open
next Monday at nine a. M"
The notice was given, and there
was a good deal of excitement in the
gulch and all along the Yuba flats.
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 a 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
too much for him." said a cross-eyed,
broad-shouldered fellow Of IS.
The schoolhouse was unlocked and
the new teacher l~eisurely 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 valise and took
out a large belt. Then, after buckling
it around his waist, he put three navy
r~evolvers there, each of six barrels,
and a bowie knife ten inches in the
blade.
Thunder! He means b~usiness!"
muttered the cross-eyed chap.
The new teacher now took out a
square card, about four inches each
way, walked to the other end of the
schoolhouse and tackled it up against
the ceiling. Returning to his desk,
he drew a revolver from his belt, and
quick as thought sent ball after ball
in the card, till there were six holes
in a spot not much larger than a sill
yer dollar.
BY this time the sc%hoolhouse was
half full of large boys and girls. The
little ones were afraid to come in.
Then the teacher walked halfway
down the room with the bowie knife
in his hand and threw it with so true
a hand that it stuck %quivering in the
very center of the card.
He left it there, and put two more
knives of the same kind in his belt,
and quietly reloaded his yet smoking
pistol.
Ring the bell. l am about to open
SCHOOL,"
He spoke to the cross-eyed boy, the
bully of the crowd, and that boy rang
the bell without a word.
1.-THE scholars will take their seats.
l open school with prayer" he said,
sternly, FIVE minutes later.
The scholars sat down, silent,
breathless.
After the prayer the teacher cooked
a revolver and walked down on the
floor.
I'VE will arrange the classes" he
said. ''All who can read, write and
spell will rise. OF them we will form
the first class"
Only six got up. He escorted them
to upper seats, and then he began to
examine the rest. A whisper was
heard behind him. In a second he
wheeled, revolver in hand.
mo whispering allowed here!" he
Numbered, and for an instant his re-
volver lay on a level with the CROSS
eyed boys head.
"I1l not do so any more" gasped
the bully.
See you do not. I never give a
second warming" said the teacher,
and the revolver fell.
1t took two hours to organize the
classes, but when done they were
we'll organized. Then came recess.
The teacher went out, too, for the
room was crowded and hot. A hawk
was circling overhead high in the air.
The teacher drew q revolver and the
next second that hawk came tumbling
down among the wondering scholars.
From that day On Harry kept
school for two years in Cranberry
Gulch, his salary doubled after the
quarter; and his pupils learned
to love as well as respect him, and
the revolvers went out of sight inside
a month.
They had found a man at last who
could keep school there--California