Year: 1859

Bonny said he should think 'twould be
dangerous for the scholars to make the at
tempt. But he added with another dubi-
Gus shake of the head, the boys are not only
stout and hearty, but there's number of
them. Once etthem started, and they don't
fear anything. They've had some very stout
masters to dea. with.


But how many are there in the school?' I
asked, who are really bad--who are ready
to go ahead in any evil pranks?'


Bonny pondered few minutes and then
replied:


why, there's only two of them that are
really ugly; and even they amt ready in
cases of need, but they seem determined to
resist the school MASTER


We kept up the conversation at intervals
until bedtime, and when I retired for the
night had made up my mind as to the ma
ture of the work had to do. had learned
enough to assure me of several important
facts. In the first place, each succeeding
master had gone into the school house with
the firm conviction that he had got to fight
his way through. This very feeling had
served to excite his combativeness so that
his first position to the scholars was an an
tagonistic one. The result had been newt
able. AT fighting the larger scholars were
handy--they had prepared for IT and expect
ed it, and consequently were easily led to an
exhibition of their pugnacious qualities.


On the next morning, went to the school
little earlier than the usual hour for COM
mencing / found the building nearly new,
and looking clean and neat liked that. -
went in and arranged my books on the
desk. Mr.. Bonny had given me the key to
this desk, at the same time informing me
that he believed there were some implements
there | might need | found heavy rock
maple ferule, some two feet long by two in
ches wide, and three-qusrters of an inch
thick.


1t was a perfect club, and was, moreover,
enough to excite the ire of any decent per-
son who might see it brandished about in
the hands of a superior. 1t was not alone
1t had companion IN tie shape of long,
stout, heavy rawhide, or green hide as they
are sometimes called. let them remain in
the desk.


At nine o'clock rang the hand bell with
which my host had supplied me, and the
scholars took their seats. The school was
full, and as | glanced carefully around was
pleased with the appearance of most of the
scholars. They were comelv, intelligent
looking set for such place. But among the
larger boys We're some faces which wished
to study.


John Putney and Stephen Oliver had been
so thoroughly described to me that reeog-
nized them the moment put nv eyes upon
them. They We're two hard looking custom
ers, especially the former. Putnev was tail
and stout, with a head and shoulders not un-
like those Of bull. lie wore scowl upon
his face, and seemed to lean back in his seat
ike one who had sway Ger all around
When first came to him in nv sweeping
glance | caught his eye. He t,ied hard to
keep up his glance, but in very few seconds
his lips trcmbled AMI his eyes sank. knew
| could conquer him in some way.


Stephen Oliver was not so tall as John
Putney, though some said stronger. But he
was a better man. His face was more intel
ligent, and had some pride.


As soon as all was still made few re-
marks. opened my desk and drew forth
the ponderous ferule and rawhidc.


30 these belong to any one in the schools'
| asked, holding them up.


No one answered. then asked lydia
Bonny If she knew to whom they belonged.
She said she believed their last teacher bro't
them. then stepped down and put them
both into the stove. .... ~


After this told the scholars had come
teach them--to help them to an education
which should fit them better for the various
paths in life they might be called upon to
pursue. pictured to them the educated
man and woman in contrast with the ignor-
ant, and urged them to weigh well the con-
siderations l gave them. called up all my
powers of imagination and simplifcation in
portraying the happy results of education
And more said l, Il have come to help give
you this education, if you viii only receive
it. And in order to gain it properly, ::in or
der to have profitable school, we must have
order and regularity. We must all behave
properly. Now am sure you do not know
so much Of arithmetic, geography, history,
grammar, and other branches of common
schools as I do; consequently feel it my
duty to impart to you all the information
upon these subjects that can You certain
ly know how to behave. You know how to
behave properly-how to be quiet, studious
and peaceable. If there is scnolar present
who does not know how to do this, win he
or she arise? ! am in earnest. If no one
rises shall consider that have an assur.
ance from each and every one of you that
you know how to behave properly in school
waited some moments, but no one arose.
But could see that MI. John Putney was
uneasy. He seemed TO he fearing that T u-as