Part 12 (1/2)

With as much dignity as was possible under the circ.u.mstances, James stepped to the teacher's desk and rang the bell.

This was hardly necessary, for out of curiosity all the scholars had promptly followed the young teacher into the school-room and taken their seats.

After the introductory exercises, James made a brief address to the scholars:

”I don't need any introduction to you,” he said, ”for you all know me. I see before me many who have been my playfellows and a.s.sociates, but to-day a new relation is established between us. I am here as your teacher, regularly appointed by the committee, and it is my duty to a.s.sist you as far as I can to increase your knowledge. I should hardly feel competent to do so if I had not lately attended Geauga Seminary, and thus improved my own education. I hope you will consider me a friend, not only as I have been, but as one who is interested in promoting your best interests. One thing more,” he added, ”it is not only my duty to teach you, but to maintain good order, and this I mean to do. In school I wish you to look upon me as your teacher, but outside I shall join you in your sports, and be as much a boy as any of you. We will now proceed to our daily lessons.”

This speech was delivered with self-possession, and favorably impressed all who heard it, even the boys who meant to make trouble, but they could not give up their contemplated fun. Nevertheless, by tacit agreement, they preserved perfect propriety for the present. They were not ready for the explosion.

The boy teacher was encouraged by the unexpected quiet.

”After all,” he thought, ”everything is likely to go smoothly. I need not have troubled myself so much.”

He knew the usual routine at the opening of a school term. The names of the children were to be taken, they were to be divided into cla.s.ses, and lessons were to be a.s.signed. Feeling more confidence in himself, James went about this work in business fas.h.i.+on, and when recess came, the comments made by the pupils in the playground were generally favorable.

”He's going to make a good teacher,” said one of the girls, ”as good as any we've had, and he's so young too.”

”He goes to work as if he knew how,” said another. ”I didn't think Jimmy Garfield had so much in him.”

”Oh, he's smart!” said another. ”Just think of brother Ben trying to keep school, and he's just as old as James.”

Meanwhile Tom Ba.s.sett and Bill Stackpole had a private conference together.

”What do you think of Jim's speech, Bill?” asked Tom.

”Oh, it sounded well enough, but I'll bet he was trembling in his boots all the while he was talkin'.”

”Maybe so, but he seemed cool enough.”

”Oh, that was all put on. Did you hear what he said about keepin'

order?”

”Yes, he kinder looked at you an' me when he was talkin'.”

”I guess he heard about our turnin' out the last teacher.”

”Of course. I tell you, it took some cheek to come here and order 'round us boys that has known him all his life.”

”That's so. Do you think he's goin' to maintain order, as he calls it?”

”You just wait till afternoon. He'll know better then.”

James did not go out to recess the first day. He had some things to do affecting the organization of the school, and so he remained at his desk. Several of the pupils came up to consult him on one point or another, and he received them all with that pleasant manner which throughout his life was characteristic of him. To one and another he gave a hint or a suggestion, based upon his knowledge of their character and abilities. One of the boys said: ”Do you think I'd better study grammar, Jimmy--I mean Mr. Garfield?”

James smiled. He knew the slip was unintentional. Of course it would not do for him to allow himself to be addressed in school by a pupil as Jimmy.

”Yes,” he answered, ”unless you think you know all about it already.”

”I don't know the first thing about it.”