Year: 1860

The school, which was his first engage
ment, proved to be turbulent one The
district formed part of rough country
town in Western Pennsylvania where the
Dutch population was being perpetuated
in genuine Dutch boys and girls of all 81
ZeS.


At first Mr. Blagden tried the milder
methods. Carrying himself with dignity
and composure, he overlooked every of
fence which it was possible to ignore, sub
stituting remonstrance for correction, and
trusting to his own equanimity and the bet
ter sense Of his pupils to bring about a
gradual change i'll the temper of the school.


At the end of the second week he be-
came conscious of rather brief supply of
patience. The fact is the fullest reser-
voir will run dry at length under never en-
ding leakages,


| think ! shall have to take some of the
big boys down notch or two before long.


This was SAID at the breakfast table.
| You don't look much like doing it, said
the head of the family.


Why not?
I should say you didn't weigh morn a
hundred an twenty to Bill Stokes hun
dred an fifty an Tom Troops hundred an
sixty, rejoined the satirical host.
| Mr.. Blagden expressed the opinion that
some things were better than weight.


What?


Why science and stimulus.


Science is a good thing, I'll low; but
as to stimulus, the less of that you drink
the better Whiskey makes man think he
can whip all creation; but he cant do half
as much as he can without it. Better let
your stimulus alone.


| mean the stimulus of determination
the stimulus mans brain puts into his
muscles.


Mr. Caruthers shook his head obviously.
Don't know anythin' about that ; but you'd
better look out for them boys They S
desperate tellers. Afterwards Mr. G., hap
pening to look up, noticed certain some
thing in Blagden' S eye and about his mouth
that made him think he must have under
rated the prowess Of the young MASTER
The fact is Blagden had forgotten his break
fast for the instant. and was going through
the fight in imagination.


The third week went by without any de-
cided rupture. One thing was becoming
clear however The milder methods were
failing In their effect upon certain por-
tion Of the school. While the majority were
catching the spirit of self respect, were be-
ing made better and self governing. a few
were lett upon whom these influences were
quite powerless. They must be met with
other weapons.


1t was now the fourth week. In the
middle of the forenoon when the tap Of
the bell had suggested the first movement
Of the first class in practical arithmetic,
Bill Stokes sat doggedly in his seat, look
ing up under his eyebrows with pair of
eyes containing large quantity of devil.


Take your place in order, William.


| won't.


The master saw that this was the point
of conflict between himself and two or three
rather desperate and powerful fellows
The unruly boys began to wink and nudge
each other, the girls turned pale. The
smaller scholars began to cry.


A wave of his hand seated the class
which had risen to advance.
Come forward William.
The stout fellow came on to the floor


Did you intend to disobey me!
Yes.


Will you be governed by the rules Of the
school ?


Not by darned sight. The other boys
laughed at this specimen of brilliant inso-
lie nee


There is the door, sir.


No you don't. I'm going to pound you
into jelly fust I; and bill Stokes turned
up his sleeves about his brawny wrists.


The young master remembered where he
was; and so turning to the big boys of
the school he asked, Fair play or fouli


Fair play, said the chorus


Thereupon Bill Stokes drew himself