2
THE TIMES, NEW BLOOM FIELD, l'A., MAY 3, 1881.
A Story fur Teachers nuil .Scholars.
IN the autumn of 1842, I received a
visit from one of the Superintending
Hchool Committee of the town of O ,
in the State of New Hampshire, lie
introduced himself as Mr. Ilrown, and
at once proceeded to - his business. He
wished to employ a teacher for one of
the schools in his town. He ran his
eye over my frame, and I saw the result
was satisfactory, for he Immediately ex
pressed a desire to secure my services.
I asked him what sort of a school it
was.
' " Wal," he 9ald, with a peculiar nasal
twang, ami a pronunciation not set
-down by any of our lexicographers,
"It's a ponty tarnation hard school,
naow, I tell ye. But yeou've got the
hone an' muscle, an' I reckon as haow
.yeou might dew It."
He again ran his eyes over my large,
sinewy frame, and rubbed his hands
with evident satisfaction.
" Have scholars been In the habit of
gaining control of the school !"' I asked.
" Lord bless ye, yes. Why, no master
can stand it a week. Ye see, Squire,
tbar's some pooty all-tired staout boys
lu that ere school. Ye see they work in
swamps, an' they're kind o' rough in
their ways. We heard tell o' yeou, an'
1 was sent to see ye. An' I was priv
ileged to ofl'er ye forty dollars a month
of yeou'd only come and keep it. That's
more'n twice as much as we've ever
paid afore."
" How large is the school V" I a9ked.
" Wal thar's nigh onto sixty scholurs
all told, when they come some boys
an' girls."
I had heard of the school before, and
been acquainted with au excellent teach
er who had been thrown out from the
school house and rolled in a snow bank
by the large boys ; yet I resolved to go
aud try it. Of personal danger I had no
fear, for I happened to possess a large
frame and a proportionate amount of
nerve and muscle. I exercised freely in
a gymnasiuni.aud there was not another
man in the place who could at all hold
his strength by side of mine. Nature
had been lavish In her favors, and evil
habits had not impaired the faculties
God had given me.
I told Mr. Brown I would keep the
school. It was to commence the first
dftjr of December, and to continue three
months. But I told him I must have
my own way. That in all things apper
taining to the school, I must be master
that my will must be absolute, even to
casting out of half the scholars. He
said I huouUI have my own way ; aud
he pledged his word that the committee
should not Interfere in any way, not
under any circumstances.
At the appointed time I packed up my
wardrobe and school books, and started
for O . When I reached the village
I learned that my school was in a dis
tant part of the town in a rugged region
known as Rawbone Hollow. Un the
following morning Mr. Brown took me
"over" hi his sleigh. I found my school
house on the edge of quite a settlement,
which was located in a wide valley,
with high black mountains upon all
sides. I was taken at once to the place
where I was to board, and in this latter
respect I was fortunate.
My host's name was Ellas Bonuy. He
was a well-to-do farmer about forty-flve
years of uge, a firm, intelligent man,
. aud one of the select men of the town.
He bad live children that were to attend
the schools the oldest being a girl of
nineteen, named Lydla, and the young
est a boy of seven.
Mr. Brown remained for dinner, and
then took his leave; and as boon as I
was alone with Mr. Bonny, I begau to
inquire particularly about the school.
My host shook his head with a dubious
-expression.
" You know what boys are," he said,
"especially if they've had their own
way for a long time. For bix winters
we've had no school here that could be
called a school. There's quite a number
f stout boys, and they generally con
trive to get the master out at the end of
the week. But I think they will And it
.hard to put you out."
"I don't know," I replied. "But I
Teally shouldn't want them to try it,
tfor I'm not opt to be very considerate
when acting on the defensive against
auere brute force."
Bonny said he should think it would
tie -dangerous for the scholars to make
the attempt. "But," he added with
another dubious shake of the head, "the
boys are uot only stout and hearty, but
there's a number of them. Once get
Vim started, and they don't fear any.
thing. They've had some pretty stout
masters to deal with."
"But how many are there iu the
school," I afcked, "who are really bad
who are ready to go ahead iu any evil
pranks V"
Bonny pondered a few minutes and
then replied:
" Why, there' only two of them that
are really ugly ; aud eveu they ain't
ready id cases of need, but they seemed
determined to mist the master."
We kept up the conversation at inter
vals, until bed time, and when I retired
for the night I had about made up my
mind as to the nature of the work I had
to do. I had learned enough to assure
aieof several important facts. In this
first time, each succeeding master had
gone into the school house with the
11 rm conviction that he had to fight his
way through. Tills very feeling had
served to excite his combativeness, so
that his position to the scholars was an
antagonistic one. The result had been
inevitable. At fightiug, the large schol
ars were handy, they had prepared for
it, and expected It, and, consequently,
were easily led to an exhibition of their
pugnacious qualities.
On the next morning, I went to the
school house a little earlier than the
usual hour" for commencing. I found
the building nearly new, and looking
clean and neat. I liked that. I went
in and arranged my books on the desk.
Mr. Bonuy had given me the key to
this desk, at the same time Informing
me that he believed there were some
implements there I might need. I found
a heavy rock maple ferule, some two
feet long by two inches wide, and three
quarters of an inch thick.
It was a perfect club, and was more
over, enough to excite the Ire of any
decent person who might see it brand
ished about in the hands of a superior.
It was not alone. It had a companion
iu the shape of a long, stout heavy
rawhide or "green hide," hs they are
sometimes called. I left them remain
in the desk.
At nine o'clock I rang the hand bell
with which my host had supplied me,
and tlie scholars took their seats. The
school was full, and as I glanced care
fully around I was pleased with the
appearance of most of the scholars.
They were a comely, intelligent looking
set for such a place. But among the
larger boys were some faces which I
wished to study.
John l'utney and Stephen Oliver had
been so thoroughly described to me that
I recognized them the moment I put
my eyes upon them. They were two
hard looking customers, especially the
former, Putney was tall and stout, with
a head and shoulders not unlike those of
a bull. He wore a scowl upon his face,
and seemed to lean back in ills seat like
one who held swny over all around.
When I first came to him in my sweep
ing glance I caught his eye. He tried
hard to keep up Ills glance, but iu a
very few seconds, Ills lips trembled and
his eyes rank. I knew I could conquer
him in some way.
Stephen Oliver wbb uot so tall as
John Putney, though some said strong
er. But he was a better man. His face
was more intelligent, and he had some
pride.
As soon as all was still I made a few
remarks. I opened my desk and drew
forth the ponderous ferule and rawhide.
"Do these belong to any one in
school V I asked, holding them up.
No one answered. I then asked Lydin
Bonny if she knew to whom they be
longed. She said Bhe believed their last
teacher brought them. I then stepped
down and put them both into the stove.
After this I told the scholars that I
had come there to 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. I
pictured to them the educated man
and woman in contrast with the Ignor
ant, aud urged them to weigh well the
considerations I gave them. I called up
ull my powers of imagination and sim
plification iu portraying the happy
results of education. "And," said I, " I
have come to help give you this educa
tion, if you only receive it. And in
order to gain it properly in order to
have a profitable Bchool we must have
order and regularity. We must all
behave properly. Now I am sure you
don't know so much of arithmetic, geog
raphy, history, grammar, and other
branches of common schools as I do;
consequently I feel it my duty to impart
to you all the information upon these
subjects that I can. You certainly know
how to behave. You kuow how to
behave properly how to be quiet,
studious aud peaceable. If there is a
scholar present who does not know how
to do this, will he or she rise t I am iu
earnest. If no oue rises I shall consider
that I have an assurance from each aud
every oue of you that you know how to
behave properly in school."
I waited some momeuts, but uo oue
arose. But I could see that Mr. John
Putney was uueasy. He seemed to be
fearing that I was compromising him
in advance of his will. However, I
appeared not to notice him.
" Very well," said I, with a grateful
smile, " I thauk you for your assurance.
Aud now I am going to place the gov
ernment of the school at your disposal.
You are all voters and f wish you to
exercise the privilege. Shall we have,
through the coming three mouths, an
orderly, model school t All In favor of
that will hold up their right hand."
The girls commenced first. " Come,"
I urged, " I waul you all to vote one
way or the other. I shall think all who
do not vote on this side mean to vote on
the other. All up."
By this time every right hand was up
save Putney's and Oliver's. The latter
had got his hand half up when I saw
Putney catch it by the elbow and pull
it back.
" Down," I said. "Now are there
any of an opposite inlud V"
John Putney hesitated, hut I saw he
was anxious to raise his hand.
" If there are any who do not wish an
orderly school, I should be pleased to
know It," I resumed, " far I am deter
mined uot to have scholars here who
need to he forced into obedience. I am
not fond of punishing."
Putney's hand came up with a nerv
ous Jerk, aud I saw lilui push Oliver's
up; but I had caught the lutter's eye,
aud he gave up to the influence of an
imploring glance.
" What is your name V" I asked.
" My name is John Putuey, the world
over," he replied, in a coarse, Impudent
tone, but there was au effort in it.
"And you do not desire a good, order
ly school?"
" Wal, I doli't care much oue way or
t'other," he answered In the same tone,
but with increased eflbrt, and I could
see too that he was trembling his
strength away fast.
" Very well," I said, iu a firm, but
yet kind toue, "if such is your opinion,
then your presence here will not ouly be
useless to yourself, but a great detriment
to the rest of the school. So you can
retire before we proceed any further.
But should you at any time make up
your mlud to come In with the deter
mination to be orderly aud gentlemanly,
you can return."
As I spoke I stepped down aud open
ed the door.
" You can leave," I said.
" S'possln I'd rather stay here?" re
turned he, turning pale.
" But you can't stay here 1" I resumed
In a tone aud with a look that made
him start. We cannot have you here.
For the good of the school alone, you
must leave. I can wait but a moment
longer."
The fellow seemed determined to try
my strength. But he might as well
have thought of faclug a thunderbolt.
I was nerved up to my most powerful
mood. I felt iu my arms aud hands,
that were I then where Sampson once
was, I could pull dowu the pillars of the
temple-roof.
I walked Blowly up to the man's seat,
(for he was a man in age aud size,
coming oue and twenty within a month)
aud placing my hands upon his collar.
He grasped the edge of the low de9k
before him aud held on. With one
mighty eflbrt an effort that surprised
myself I tore him from the seat and
raised him above my head. I strode on
to the outer entry, and when I had
gained the door-stone, I cast him down
upon the snow. He scrambled to his
feet, and with an oath rushed toward
me. I struck hlui between the eyes and
knocked him dowu. I went and lifted
him up, and then told him to go home.
He cast one look Into my face, from out
his already swelling eyes, and then
with mutterlngs of vengeance walked
away.
I returned to the school room, and
found, of course, the scholars all at the
windows, or rather rushlug back to
their seats.
"Now," said I with a kindly smile,
"suppose we try that over again, for
really, I feel a deep, earnest desire to
have the Bchool with me. All who are
desirous of having an orderly, model
school, and who are resolved to labor to
the end, will raise the right hand."
Every hand went up in a moment.
And so I commenced my school. I
went to Stephen Oliver, and asked bow
far he had advanced in his studies. He
told me, aud I then informed him that
any evening when he wished for assist
ance which I might not be able to render
during school hours, I should be happy
to grant it if he would call upon me ut
my room. He was as grateful as I ever
saw a person.
I made the scholars understand that
there would be no whipping going on.
If any oue would not behave he must
leave school. I had come to teach the
various branches of common English
education, and those who had not yet
learned to behave properly, were not far
enough advanced to be admitted to that
school where the scholars themselves
had determined to keep good order.
I never had a better school. I have
sometimes found it necessary to puulsh
children, but I knew that that school
had altogether too much of it, aud I
resolved at self-defense, and to turn
from school every, child that would not
obey.
Oliver was of great assistance to me.
When I wished to leave the room for a
short time, I felt perfectly confident of
order in leaving him in charge. He
studied hard, and ere long he became
really thirsty for knowledge. He spent
many evenings with me, aud they were
profitable to both.
I had kept the school time weeks.
On the Sabbath evening following the
third Saturday, as I sat with Mr. nonny
and family, some one knocked at the
door. One of the children answered the
summons, and returned followed by
John Putney. He said he wanted to
peak to me. I led the way to my room
where a good fire was burning.
I bade the young man good evening,
and told him lie had taken a stormy
season for a walk.
"Yes, sir," he returned, in a half
choking tone, "It does storm hard, very
hard. But, sir, I don't mind that, I'm
used to It. I wanted to see you, sir,
I-"
He stopped and gazed upon the floor.
"Don't be afraid to speak plainly,
John," I said, "for I assure you that
you areepeaklng to one who would be
your friend under all circumstances."
" I waut to come back to school, sir,"
burst from his lips spasmodically.
" I thank you, John 1 thank you," I
cried, extending my hand which he took
at once. "Since I came to this place,
nothing has occurred to atTord me as
much pleasure as this. Come to mor
row morning, aud you will find one of
the best schools in the country. We
won't think of the past we will only
try for improvement in the future."
The stout, hard youth cried like ,a
child.
Mr. Bonny said, " It beats all."
" Why," said he, " here's a school
that's being going to rack aud ruin for
years, because they couldn't find a mas
ter strong enough to conquer the big
boys, and now they're all conquered
without even so much as a blow. And
yet," he added, alter reflecting awhile,
"taint the nature of man to be good
under blows, and I s'pose children have
alt the feelings of men. The lash may
keep 'em under while It's over 'em, but
it don't produce an effect that you can
depend upon."
' That's it," I replied. " The obedi
ence produced by the lash can never
beget one iota of respect for the one that
wields it. I am not prepared to say that
the lash is never, uuder any circum
stances, necessary society is in such a
warped and unchristian state ; but there
is one thing I will say, I will never keep
another school that I cannot govern
without the rod. If there chances to be
a boy that will not behave properly,
then the school shall not suffer by his
presence. I will send him back to those
whose duty it is to teach him the first
rudiments of behavior."
People were astonished at the result
of my efforts. The committee were
forced to report "the school kept in the
district known as 'Rawboue Hollow' to
be the best iu town."
So much for the " Hard School."
A CurioHS Theory.
The late Professor Faraday adopted
the theory that the natural age of man
is 100 years. The duration of life he
believed to be measured by the time of
growth. In the camel maturity takes
place at eight, In the horse at five, in
the lion at four, In the dog at two, in
the rabbit at one. The natural termina
tion is five removes from these several
points. Man being twenty years in
growing lives five times twenty years
that is, 100 : the camel is eight in grow
ing, aud lives forty years ; and so witlt
other animals. The man who does not
die of sickness lives everywhere from 80
to 100 years. The professor divides life
Into equal halves growth and decline
and these into infancy, youth, virility
aud age. Infancy extends to the twen
tieth year, youth to the fiftieth, because
it is in this period the tissues become
firm, virility from fifty to seventy-five,
during which the organism remains
complete, and at seventy-five old age
commences, to last a longer or shorter
time as thedimlnution of reserved forces
is hastened or retarded.
An Exchange of Brides.
Daisy Shoemaker, the pretty daughter
of a farmer living near Richmond, Va.,
had agreed to elope with Westland
Pierce, but when the critical moment
arrived she feared to transgress her
parents' wishes, aud would not go to the
rendezvous. Her sister Jane, two years
her senior, begged her to keep her tryst
with her lover, but all in vain. " Well,
if you do not keep your word with West
Pierce, I'll doit for you," she said, and
indignantly leaving her sister she got
into the buggy and dashed off despite
the screams of her sister. Miss Jane
readied the waiting place, explanations
were made, and she said that she was
willing to take hr sister's place. The
story goes that the lover, touched by her
pluck and captivated by her determina
tion not to let the plan fall through, did
actually marry her.
Be Wise and Happy.
If you will stop all your extravagaut
and wrong notions m doctoring your
self and families with expensive doc
tors or humbug cure-alls, that do harm
always, and use only uaturtiV simple
remedies for all your ailments you will
be wise, well and happy, and save great
expense. The k rentes I remedy for this.
the great, wise and god will tell you. Is
Hop Bitters rely on) it. See another
oolumu. JYfsa. 17 lit
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