by Caroline M S Kirkland (1801-1864)

[ Gift for 1845, published late in 1844 Republished volume, Western Clearings (1845), by Caroline M S Kirkland ]

Master William Horner came to our village to school when about eighteen years old: tall, lank, straight-sided, and straight-haired, with mouth most puckered and solemn kind His figure and movements were those of puppet cut out of shingle and jerked by string; address corresponded appearance Never did that prim mouth give way before laugh faint and misty smile widest departure from its propriety, and this unaccustomed disturbance made wrinkles flat, skinny cheeks like those surface of lake, intrusion of stone Master Horner knew well what belonged pedagogical character, facial solemnity stood high list of indispensable qualifications He had made up his mind before he left his father's house how look during the term He planned any smiles (knowing that "board round"), and not for ordinary occurrences to alter his arrangements; when betrayed into relaxation muscles, " sort" putting his bread and butter in jeopardy

Truly he had grave time that first winter The rod of power was new to him, and it his "duty" to use it more frequently than thought necessary upon whose sense the privilege had palled Tears and sulky faces, and impotent fists doubled fiercely when his back was turned, were the rewards conscientiousness; boys--and girls too--were glad when working time came round again, master went home to help his father farm

But autumn came Master Horner again, dropping among us as quietly faded leaves, and awakening serious reflection Would he be as self-sacrificing as before, postponing his own ease and comfort public good, or would he have become more sedentary, and less fond of circumambulating the school-room with switch over his shoulder ? Many were fain to hope learned to smoke during the summer, an accomplishment which would probably have moderated his energy not little, and disposed him rather to reverie than to action But here , and all the broader-chested and stouter-armed labors harvest-field

Let it not be supposed that Master Horner was of cruel and ogrish nature--a babe-eater--a Herod--one who delighted in torturing the helpless Such souls , among those endowed awful control ferule, but rare fresh and natural regions we describe , we believe, where young gentlemen are crammed for college, process of hardening heart and skin together goes on most vigorously Yet uneducated so high respect for bodily strength, necessary schoolmaster to show, first of all, that he possesses this inadmissible requisite place The rest is more readily taken for granted Brains --a strong arm : so he proves the more important claim first therefore make all due allowance for Master Horner, be expected to overtop his position discern at once the philosophy of teaching

sadly brow-beaten during his first term of service by great broad-shouldered lout of some eighteen years or so, who thought little more "schooling," but same time felt quite competent to direct the manner and measure attempts

"You'd ought with large-hand, Joshuay," said Master Horner youth

"What should coarse-hand for ? " said the disciple, with great contempt; "coarse-hand won't never do me no good fine-hand copy "

The master looked infant giant, and did as , but we say not with what secret resolutions

At another time, Master Horner, having had hint from some one more knowing than himself, proposed elder scholars to write after dictation, expatiating same time quite floridly (the ideas having been supplied knowing friend), advantages likely to arise practice, and saying, among other things,

" , write letters, to spell the words good "

"Pooh ! " said Joshua, "spellin' ain't nothin'; let them that finds the mistakes correct 'em I'm for 's havin' way own "

"How dared you be so saucy master ? " asked little boys, after school

"Because lick him, easy," said the hopeful Joshua, who knew why the master undertake him spot

Can we wonder that Master Horner determined his empire good as far as it went ?

new examination was required entrance into second term, and, with whatever secret trepidation, the master was obliged to submit Our law prescribes examinations, but forgets competency examiners; few better farces offer course of question and answer occasions not precisely what were Master Horner's trials; but heard of sharp dispute inspectors whether a-n-g-e-l spelt angle_ or angel Angle had it, school maintained that pronunciation ever after Master Horner passed, and requested to draw up the certificate inspectors to sign, as one had left his spectacles at home, other had bad cold, so not convenient for either to write more than his name Master Homer's exhibition of learning occasion , but must considerable, since he stood the ordeal

" orthography ? " said an inspector once, presence

The candidate writhed , studied the beams overhead chickens window, and then replied,

" since I learnt the first part spelling-book, that 't justly answer that question But if just look it over, I guess "

Our schoolmaster entered upon his second term with new courage and invigorated authority Twice certified, dare doubt his competency ? Even Joshua was civil, and lesser louts obsequious; though the girls took more liberties, for they feel even early age, that influence is stronger than strength

Could young schoolmaster think of feruling girl with her hair in ringlets and gold ring on her finger ? Impossible-- immunity extended to all the little sisters and cousins; and there were enough large girls to protect all the feminine part school boys Master Horner still had many battle, and whether with view , or as an economical ruse, he never wore his coat in school, saying too warm Perhaps an astute attention prejudices employers, who love no man earn his living sweat brow The shirt-sleeves gave the idea of manual-labor school in one sense evident master worked, afforded probability scholars worked too

Master Horner's success was most triumphant that winter year's growth had improved his outward man exceedingly, filling out the limbs remind you so forcibly of young colt's, and supplying the cheeks flesh and blood so necessary where mustaches worn Experience had given him degree of confidence, and confidence gave him power In short, people said the master had waked up; and so he had He actually set about reading for improvement; and although end term quite make out historical studies which side Hannibal was on, yet readily explained fact that he boarded round, and was obliged to read generally by firelight, surrounded by ungoverned children

, Master Horner made his own bargain When schooltime came round following autumn, teacher presented himself for third examination, such test was pronounced no longer necessary; district consented to engage him astounding rate of sixteen dollars month, understanding that fixed home, provided willing to allow dollar week Master Horner bethought him successive "killing-times," and consequent doughnuts twenty families he had sojourned the years before, and consented exaction

Behold our friend now as high as district teacher can ever hope --his scholarship established, his home stationary and not revolving, good behavior community insured fact that he, being of age, had now farm to retire upon of any disgust

Master Horner was at once the preeminent beau neighborhood, spite prejudice against learning He brushed his hair straight up in front, and wore sky-blue ribbon for guard silver watch, and walked as tall heels blunt boots were egg-shells and not leather Yet far from neglecting the duties place beau only on Sundays and holidays; very schoolmaster the rest time