The School Over the “Tater Hole”

The School Over the "Tater Hole" THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF FOUR JED STORIES, EACH COMPLETE IN ITSELF L!V IDA STEWART PEAY There never was a town that needed the Christmas Spirit as badly as did Blackgulch. What with Fanny Meyer's pessimism — she being-, yon might say, the most prominent female — and Jed Ware's lawlessness — Jed being in turn the most conspicuous male — there was no one in town to lead out in creating and diffusing the spirit of Christian charity. Criticism and back-biting were Fanny's methods for uplifting the community ; while Jed's hand was against everybody for pure devilment. This year an added damper was put on the Christmas spirit and the festivities as well, because the school teacher, who usually carried on the holiday exercises, had been ignominiously put into the "tater hole." It lacked a week of the great day, when the mis-used pedagogue had shaken the dust of the village from his feet and left, as he ex- cusably termed it, for civilization. Not much hope was placed in what a new teacher could do in so short a time. One had been secured, however, and she was now resting in her room while Fanny Meyer, the town's only boarding-house keeper, wras cooking the supper. Fanny, tall, spare, sharp-featured and altogether uncompromising, threw the white cloth over the table with a swish of displeasure. "I tell you, Pa, you've made a mess of it again. Imagine hirin' a mere wafer to handle that unruly gang!" Mrs. Meyer was not a woman of few words, but she stopped now to look her full disgust at the offending "trustee." Sidney Meyer, silent- faced and secretive, smiled a quiet little smile as he mumbled defensively, "I thought 'a change was as good as a rest.' Any- how don't you think you're rushing matters to be formin' an opinion 'fore you've had a square look at her?" "Ho!" scornfully, "I'm not like you men, I don't have to know anybody forever to get an idea of their character. I know this girl ain't got no force, and I knew what kind of a jelly-fish that last teacher was the minute I laid eyes on him." "Wrouldn't wonder if your expressing that judgment so free hadn't something to do with getting him in the 'tater hole.' " mused Sidney. "Pooh !" denied Fanny, "lack of back bone put him there, and

THE SCIlooi. OVER THE "TATER HOLE" 15 — perhaps Jed Ware's reckless deviltry. Now Jed will have a free hand for sure, and he'll go to the bad post haste, and hcin' a natural leader he'll take the risin' generation of the whole gulch with him, fool girls and all, for they're soft over him already, young as he is, and spite of his meanness. I was in hopes after this last experience you'd have gumption enough to find a two hundred pounder who could take them ruffins three at a time and chuck 'em out of the door. I don't expect this little colorless wiffet to last over night, let alone till Christmas." Almost before the words were out of Fanny's mouth, the door opened softly and the new teacher entered. Meyer and his wife exchanged glances, fearful that Fanny had been overheard, but the young lady's beaming countenance reassured them. Fanny looked a trifle less stern, set out an easy chair, and bade Miss Bleeson "make herself to home." The new school-mistress did her bidding at once, and with charming grace. She warmed her pretty hands before the blaze in the wide fire-place and rocked easily back and forth in the old cushioned rocker. She praised Fanny's biscuits and apple-pie, at supper, and talked entertain- ingly of her trip over the mountains. It is not a joy ride in win- ter, but she related many funny experiences, and made favorable comments about everything — even having a good word for Black- gulch, the night-mare of all that weird region. After supper she helped Fanny with the dishes, and later in the rosy glow of the crackling flames she had the old "trustee" and his wife leaning forward in their chairs listening, with lightened faces, to her happy chatter, and airing, with relish, their own ancient adven- tures. Sidney began to smile a quiet little smile of satisfaction, while Fanny was forgetting her habitual animosity. Suddenly her role returned to her consciousness with overwhelming responsi- bility. "J suppose you don't know why we had to have a new teacher in the middle of the winter, do you?" she broke in upon the pleasantry. "Why, no, T don't believe T do," owned Miss Bleeson, sweetly. "Well," flounced Fanny, coming completely to herself, "the last teacher we had was put in the 'tater hole' by unruly scholars." Old Sidney began to hem and haw painfully. "The 'tater hole'!" cried Miss Bleeson in utter amazement. "O, I'm afraid you don't sense what kind of a job you've come up against," lamented Fanny, shaking her head gravely. "Perhaps not." admitted the young lady,— and it was evident she was a very young lady indeed — "but what about the 'tater hole'! whatever do you mean?" "The 'tater hole,' " declared the towns woman firmly, though old Sidney's cough was growing desperate, "is the cellar under the

16 I.M PROVEMENT ERA school house. There's a trap door to it and the teachers that the scholars don't like are put down there." Miss Bleeson shivered appropriately. "Are there toads down there?" she asked comically. "I don't know, perhaps you'll find out — for yourself," Fanny jested severely, with an unpleasant grin. Old Sidney doubled up his fists, unconsciously, while an amused smile curved the rosy month of the new teacher. "I don't think we'll need worry," she murmured, glancing reassuringly at Sidney's clenched hands. "We'll see!" warned Mrs. Meyer, but Miss Bleeson's smile broadened into a little laugh as she marveled, "A 'tater hole!' Well, I never! That is certainly something new. Why, who put him there?" she looked up enquiringly at Fanny. "Jed Ware," snapped her informant, "and I tell you, Jed is some fighter and smart-elic ; he's a bad, bad boy, you can bet. Him and Abe Black and Hebe Carter make it mighty hot for our teachers." Then, remaining deaf and blind to old Sidney's loud coughs and winks of disapproval, she related many harrowing tales about these boys and former teachers. When she ended, Miss Bleeson really looked quite impressed and sober — especially since Sidney's antics had ceased — and, before retiring, she gave Fanny the satisfaction of hearing her say solemnly, "I know I shall dream of 'Jed' and the 'tater hole!' " Next morning the "trustee's" wife watched Miss Bleeson start out blithely for the school over the "tater hole." With sorry misgivings she called to her from the door, "Now, be strict, just let them know from the first minute that you're boss." Nodding a laughing acquiescence the new school "marm" tripped merrily on. The town rowdies, including Jed, Hebe and Abe, were at school early and watched from the windows the young lady approach. "She's just a kid," sneered Hebe, "not a day more'n seven- teen." "What shall we do to be receivin' her proper? We might have the trap door raised invitin' like," suggested Abe. "O, let her get in," decided Jed. "Soon's she's here we'll think of somethin' ; teachers alius sets me to thinkin'." " 'Course that's what they're fur," blurted Hebe snickering at his own cleverness. The big girls joined the boys at the win- dow, exchanged glances with Jed whenever possible and let him know they would applaud anything he thought worth starting. Only the youngest pupils were in their places when Miss Bleeson entered. She fluttered in like the mountain zephyr old Sidney thought of, and the school was as still as an empty church while she removed her heavy furs, uncovered her fluffy yellow hair and

THE SCHCN )I. i >VI-.U THE "TATER IK >LE" 17 smiled, both with her blue eyes and rosy mouth, a kindly smile of greeting. From the first moment of her entrance she had the attention of the school as completely as if she were the leading lady in a gripping melodrama. For the matter of that, she was something of an actress and her simple but smart, tasty costume was as wonderful to Blackgulch as a Paris creation would be to an up-to-date town. After getting the school work under way, that is, partly, the new mistress had a get-acquainted hour. With her pretty, in- formal manners she shook hands with everybody, learned their names and made them talk to her. When she approached Jed Ware, and a faint odor of wild roses reached the big dare-devil, he was as frightened as a girl in the dark. At first he dropped his eyes and mumbled his answers, but Miss Bleeson soon put him at his ease. Before he realized what he was doing he had lifted his head high as he usually carried it, flung back his great shock of black hair with a characteristic movement, returned her straight look with his deep, unfathomable eyes, and had even burst out into his hearty infectious laugh. He began to feel so pleasant and contented that a shadow fell over him when she passed on to Hebe and Abe. Indeed, for the rest of the day, Miss Bleeson could scarcely raise her eyes without encountering Jed's tense, eager, wondering gaze. During that first day one very small boy in the baby class got the courage to voice the anxiety of all the little folks in the gulch. "Teacher/' he said timidly, "aint they goin' to be no Christ- mas this year? Ma says they aint cause — " there was a slight shuffle of feet, the faces of the rowdies began to burn, then one of the big girls pulled the little would-be tale bearer roughly back into his seat. Miss Bleeson immediately came to the rescue. "Why, we're going to have the finest Christmas celebration this year you ever heard tell of," she promised enthusiastically. "We're goin' to have a program, and every one in school has to take part" — some dull eyes began to brighten — "we'll have a great big Christmas tree — that is, if some of these young men will be so kind, — ■" here she glanced enquiringly at the rascals of "tater hole" fame. "You can count on me," responded the notorious Jed, eagerlv. "An' me." added Abe. "Me too," echoed Hebe grinning. "Oh. thank you all." smiled Miss Bleeson, "and tomorrow I'll bring sugar and we'll make some choice candies right here .m this old. big stove — T know how to make the best in the land. I have a little material, too. that we can use t<> make Christmas hags, and we can prepare a little surprise for every one in town : then we'll end our fun with a jolly dance. Won't that be fine?" She began to clap her hands, and the school joined in with a

18 l.\l PRI > VI, mi; \T l-.k \ hearty applause. At this point she told some wonderful stories about the Christ love and the happiness that came with the Christ- mas spirit. Soon every heart in the room awoke to a new feeling, and a new hope. At the close of school she said a simple prayer in behalf of her new friends. Its sincere appeal touched uncouth Jed, he dropped his eyes while a thrill of reverence passed through him for the first time in his life. When Jed and Hebe and Abe were outside starting for home, Hebe heaved a sigh indicative of all their feelings. "She r'minds me of— of— angels," he blurted out with his foolish grin. "She r'minds me of — of— well, fairies, I guess," ruminated Abe. ^Then Jed took up the thread of their thought, musing dream- ily, "She r'minds me of — of— mountain breezes, an' singin' birds, an' laughin' brooks, an' wild flowers, an' blue skies, an' summer time way off in some lovely spot where I—" he broke off abruptly coloring, but his friends were thinking their own thoughts. "Well, I hain't got no heart fur deviltry," grumbled Hebe. "Couldn't put that little sweetie in the 'tater hole'," mourned Abe. "Oh, you — " Jed threw his pals a look of withering scorn, "you blubbering rats," he growled, adding fiercely, "we're all a set of crazy ^ ignorant, blasted fools. I'm clean 'shamed of mvself. I'm goin' to clear out : that girl, nor you fellers nor anybody in T.lackgulqh will ever see me again." "You're just like me, only different," said Abe dryly, "I know I'm a dunce, but all the kings' horses and all the kings' men can't get me away from Blackgulch now. I ain't 'shamed to show my hand unconditional." "Sumpthin' similar here," snickered Hebe. "She's a gal I'd like to hang 'round." "Oh, you raw, infernal sap-heads ! You — you — " led's dis- gust was too deep for words. "I'm hittin' the trail, adios," he spoke angrily and swung blindly and rapidly away. As the big fellow hurried along he became more and more determined to carry out his wild impulse to flee. To his newly awakened con- sciousness it seemed a sensible purpose. But being so full of new thoughts and new strivings, he failed to give his" entire mind to what he was doing ; that is why, perhaps, his wretched plan ended in disaster before noon the following day. Meanwhile Miss Bleeson returned to her boarding place to give Fanny Meyer the surprise of her life. "Oh. it's the dearest school." she chatted to the Meyers that evening, as she wanned her white hands before the cozy fire. "I just love everyone of them already. The school's so small it's like a family circle in a big. old-fashioned living room, and I've the

THE SCH< M iL l IVER THE "TATER ll> >LE" 19 sweetest little crowd in the lower classes. Tonight, when school was out, one tiny tot stole up to my desk and, smoothing my hand, whispered, 'You're the goodest teacher — you're the goodest teacher ever wuz !' It touched me so I just picked her up and kissed her. Then all the little ones cd^al up hungry and wistful •»yed, and I hugged them all." Fanny could hardly believe her ears hut she wanted to know at once whether or not led was present. "Jed. let me see," Miss I'.leeson reflected, "he's the great big fellow with jet black hair, midnight eye-, and handsome, strong, brown face?" Fanny would not have descrihed Jed that way, hut she nodded. "Oh. he was lovely to me — awfully bewildered over his les- sons, but' he'll come out all right. If he'll put his mind to books —and I know he will— he's going to make an unusually bright man. He's had a hard, rough life I imagine." "Maybe," grunted Fanny, "but folks living around him have had a harder one." "Very likely," owned the teacher, "but I judge the worst side of his character has been developed. "There's no doubt of that," sneered Mrs. Meyer. "Anyway, from the first impressions. I think there's the mak- ing of 'a man among men' in Jed Ware." "If he doesn't turn out a devil among devils," scoffed the town critic. , "It's just possible," admitted Amy Bleeson, he s at the cross- roads now." Little did she dream of the exactness of her prediction ! Next lay. when she returned home from school, Fanny Meyer was ex- ultant. The old "trustee" seemed preoccupied and sober. "Well Ted was at the cross-roads, all right, but he never turned out of the course he's been headed for." Fanny triumphed. "I'm a pretty good judge of character, and I always said Jed ud ro to the dogs." "What's the matter?" Miss Bleeson begged to he told at once, as Ted had not been at school. "No. T 'low he couldn't gel there, lie's in jail!" Fanny dis- closed with evident relish. 'in jail!" cried Miss Bleeson aghast. '•Yes and it's not the first time Jed's been arrested." the towns-woman narrated, "hut before it has been for harmless row- dyism this time it's serious. The talk about town is that he took it' into his head to run aw;i\ land only knows what for so, not >-, r-iU" a horse of his own, nor a second shirt to Ins hack, for that matter he borrowed a horse of old Bates, without his leave, and

20 IMPROVEMENT ERA lit out. Of course, he got caught. Now, if Bates prosecutes he will land in prison and 'twill serve him right." "Oh, dreadful, dreadful!" mourned the new teacher, shaking her head sorrowfully. "Such a young boy — the making of such a fine, strong man ! But — a — who is this Bates ?" she asked quickly, a look of determination coming into her eyes. "An old man Jed's been working for and boarding with," put in Sidney thoughtfully. "He lives up at the end of this street." The teacher had only just removed her furs and wraps but she put them on again instantly and explaining that she had a little duty to perform, hurriedly left the house. Rushing along to the end of the street, she found the log house of old Bunker Bates, and after a long interview with the hard-faced old man, secured a promise from him which relieved her considerably, then she went to see Jed. The poor boy was taken entirely unawares. He was sitting before an old, rough table, his head bowed over one arm. At the sound made by the entrance of the teacher, he slowly raised his head. Alas, this was something upon which he had not reck- oned ! Instantly shame and confusion dyed his face a dull red, horror filled the depths of his midnight eyes ; he sat as if petrified. Miss Bleeson put out her hand. "I'm sorry to find you in trouble, Jed," she said ever so kindly. "Tell me about it." Jed managed to take the proffered hand awkwardly : it brought on the fright he had felt when she approached him at school ; he trembled violently. "Tell me, Jed," urged the visitor softly, and he felt a slight pressure from her small fingers. "Oh — I — I — " but Jed could not speak a word, he just hid his face in his arm on the table and cried like a child. The school- mistress, that loved everybody, was so touched to witness the big fellow's misery, that she put her arm around his shoulder like he was only a little boy, and cried with him. That was the first caress, homeless, motherless, sisterless Jed had ever received, and though he understood its gentle, sympathetic intent, it thrilled him to his finger tips. In that moment it seemed he grew into a man. Miss Bleeson sat down beside him and talked encouragingly. She told him she knew it was lack of friends and loving direction that had brought him to this place. She expressed her faith in his future, and suggested ways by which he could secure an education. Jed's eyes never left her face as she talked. He watched the warm color come and go under her soft, transparent skin ; he noted even- curve of the rosy mouth, the droop of the eyelids, and the rich gold of the hair that waved back from her fair forehead ; he drank in every word that she uttered, even realizing the refinement of her hnguage. Suddenly the distance between himself and this lovely -irl seemed so great he sighed audibly.

THE St IK )( )l. < IVER THE "T \ I IK IK )l I i" 2\ "What's the matter?" asked Miss Bleeson gently. "( )li — T — was just thinkin'." said Jed startled into reveal- in- his thoughts, "I — I — was just wondering if — a — do you think H a feller went to school and studied night and day for a few years — do you think he could associate with — a — people like you?" "led." she answered earnestly, "if you'll make a new start and work as hard as I think you can, and if you'll keep as clean as you are now, you will he far ahead of many boys I know." "Oh, if you'll only show me the trail, I'll foller it, if T wade through thorns to my chin," cried the young man his face alight. "I hadn't never done any real wrong till now. When you come, I just saw what I was — I — couldn't stand to see you again and now that I — that I — well, anyway, I thought I'd clear out — go to the devil and nobody 'ud care." "Well, you see, somebody cared, Jed," smiled Miss Bleeson. "1 cared, and you must come back to school." "I can't now, I — " began Jed with a frightened, dismayed look seeming for the first time to really sense his position. "I have, practically, obtained your release," interrupted the girl. "You will be out of here in time for the Christmas festivities, you must come and get the Christmas spirit, and keep it all the rest of your lfe." "Oh, how — oh, you are too good," breathed Jed, looking his gratitude and nnworthiness. "Not if you come up to my expectations," the teacher assured him. She rose to go. Jed took her hand again, tremblingly, rev- erently, "Thank you, I'll make good or die tryin' " he promised sol- emnly. There never was anything in Blackgulch equal to the Christ- mas celebration given by Miss Bleeson. Everybody came out ; there was a fine program, a Christmas tree and a dance. It was not so much what was going on, though that was far more enter- taining than usual, it was the spirit of kindness prevailing that made the evening memorable. There was no mistaking the gen- uine love and good will in the little teacher's graciousness ; the people recognized it, and returned it full measure. Besides, they began to 'love one another,' thus the Christmas spirit swelled in every breast in Blackgulch. Even Fanny Meyer made an ad- mission. "Say. Pa," she whispered during the dance, "I guess you did alright when vou hired the little wafer. I reckon she's doing more to tame Blackgulch than a half a dozen two-hundred-pound- crs could have done with force — beats all though — I never would have believed it." Miss Blesson was the life of the affair, to be sure. After the program she flitted around among the people, wishing everybody a

IM PR( >VEM I- XI ER \ Merry Christmas. She danced with the big boys, the little boys, the "trustees," and .k<l. Yes, Jed was there, holding his head high and making the fun as he always did, but the observing ones noticed the strange, subtle humility that marked a change in him. There were sonic whisperings at first, hut it was soon evident Miss Bleeson had so completely forgiven him that she would never think of it again, so they followed her lead. When the party came to an end. Hebe and Abe and fed were hovering around the school- mistress each anxious to "see her home." Miss Bleeson laughingly declared herself to be in somewhat of a predicament. Old Sidney happening along, suggested, with his quiet smile, that the boys draw lots for her company. They playfully agreed, and Sidney was chosen to prepare the cuts, which he did while the crowd lingered near making merry. Grinning Hebe drew first, then out-spoken Abe took a turn, but Fate had reserved the winning cut for Jed Ware. So Jed and Amy Bleeson started out together, Hebe and Abe good-naturedly helping them down the first gully. When Jed was taking leave of the teacher at Fanny's door, he looked down at her, his eyes were very dark and deep and tense, "Do you think," he asked hesitatingly, "do you believe that when I have studied hard and been away to school that I will be fit company for — for — a girl like you?" Miss Bleeson laughed, "O, you big Jed!" she murmured, but there was a little catch in her voice, her eyes were very soft and moist, she held out both her hands. Jed took them for one brief moment. * "Do you know who will be the next teacher over the 'tater hole'?" he said. "Yes," answered Miss Bleeson. "Jed Ware." How Success Comes The man who sticks has this lesson learned : Success doesn't come by chance — it's earned By pounding away: for good hard knocks Will make stepping stones of the stumbling blocks. The man who quits has a brain and hand As good as the next ; but he lacks the sand That would make him stick, with a courage stout, To whatever he tackles, and fight it out. — Selected.