The Adair County news., 1907-05-01
THE EARLY HISTORY OF melvin
WHITE.
By u L. Taylor
CHAPTER VII.

shafts, he would see to that himself.
The trustees held a meeting and had
Melvin come before them, and give bis
views in full, and the consultation re-
suited in the following code of laws:
Thou shalt not fight.
Thou shalt not wrestle.
Thou shalt not climb trees.
Thou shalt not throw rocks.
Thou shalt not sass one another.
Thou shalt not cuss.
Thou shalt not swear.
Thou shalt not use loud and bolster
GUS language.
Thou shalt not throw snow balls.
Thou shalt not play ''marvels" for
keeps.
Thou shalt not disobey the rules of
the master.
These rules were written in bold
hand, and posted IN prominent place
on the wall where every boy in school
could see them, and Melvin awaited
with longing anticipation for the open
ing of the school-the time came. The
trustee were all present. There was a
full attendance. Some had come to
learn, some had come to see the new
teacher and some had come because
their parents had sent them and had no
special object in view. A goodly num-
Der of the patrons had come to be at
the opening, and to see the rules that
they had heard so much about. The
opening hour had arrived, and Melvin
had taken his position at the proper
place and called the school to order.
He thought it would be the proper
thing to make some appropriate re-
marks. He was very much embarrass-
ed, but he cleared his throat and be-
gan; Ladies and Gentlemen, err err l
mean boys and girls, we have come
here for the purpose of gaining an edu-
cation-the word educate, is taken from
the latin word, ductus, to draw out.
Now boys, remember that you are to
be the future fathers and mothers of
this place. Cook Jeffries what are you
laughing about? Why, Frank Conover
axt me which | had rather be, father
or a mother! 0, did not mean to say
that, said Melvin, very much embarass
ed. l only meant to say girls, remem-
Der you are to be the future mothers
and fathers of this place, at this he
subsidized and proceeded to open the
school. The classes were arranged in
due order, and the visitors retired very
much elated at the beginning. Things
moved on smoothly for two or three
days, and nothing of interest took !
place.
Soon there was however, misunder-
standing sprang up between two of the
biggest boys, and without any quarrel
or loud words, one of them proceeded
to spit in the others face. The other
could not fight him without violating
the law, but he forthwith informed the
ssmaster," as they called Melvin, and
he promptly brought him before the
teacher to explain, and to make amends.
The boy asked him under what law he
proposed to try him. Melvin respond
ed, under the code nailed to the wall.
The culprit replied, he could see nothing
in the code forbidding splitting in each
others faces, and the teacher was
bound to let him go free. The trustees
were however Immediately convened to
amend the code, by inserting, Thou
shalt not spit in each others faces. and
and the school went on to its close in
peace.
There was some trouble sprang up
between his school, and Rodulph Fitz-
patrick, in which Melvin took a hand.
Rude passed along there one day dur
ing recess, and followed 'school but
ter remark which was considered
highly insulting to any well regulated
school, The whole male portion of the
i DOL made immediate and pursuit.
The creek running hard by the school
house was very full, past fording.
There was very tall foot log across
the creek, which Rude passed over and
took a position at the other end armed
with ponderous club. Two boys could
not pass at once, and one was afraid.
So the beligerants held the two sides
of the stream, and poured volley after
volley of hot words at each other, un-
til time for 'bOoks'' when Melvin with
drew his forces, and Rude went on his
way without further <molestation. In