240 Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer

While teaching in the Wood house, on the corner of Second
and Chestnut Streets, an incident occurred which has been
treasured by the surviving pupils as one of the few occasions
when the boys “got ahead of” their alert preceptor. Doc Nutt
and John Cantwell were reckoned as the incorrigibles of the
school, and they ceased not to torment the teacher with their

ay
Interesting Memories 241

wonderful skill sent a clamshell straight over St. James’s
Church tower.

Periodically, good Miss Urquhart, who lived in the house
now Dr. Thomas’ office, mildly expostulated when the clamor
became unbearable; and “sounders,” who drove their carts full
of ground-peas to market, complained that the leakage in pass-

ing the school, caused by large stones placed in the cart ruts by

the boys, was intolerable. These were minor incidents of con-

to remain for punishment. The hours wore away until night- stant recurrence; but when Mr. Jewett himself marked time

fall, and as the teacher came not, the truth dawned on the de- with his big brass hand-bell, in the chorus of

linquents that he had forgotten them. — They heard his tread Scotland’s burning! Scotland’s burning!

upstairs returning from the lodge meeting, followed by a still- Look out! Look out!

ness which convinced them that he had retired for the night. Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!

Immediately Doc’s fertile brain hatched out a plot; a whispered Pour on water! Pour on water!

agreement was made in the semi-darkness of the room; the and the town bell in the market house brought the Howard Re-
window on Second Street, which was only a few feet from the lief with their hand engine and Captain Griffith with his Hook
ground was raised; the two boys climbed gently to the street and Ladder Company, our joy was unconfined.

and lowered the sash to a chip on the sill, so that they could grip J ewett’ s boys generally turned out well; many became emi-
it on the outside. They then proceeded homeward, and after a nent in their professions. One of the most studious, dignified
hearty supper and a sound sleep, they reappeared at school at boys was Platt Dickinson Walker, forecasting his elevation to
daylight and noiselessly assumed their places at their desks. the Supreme Court.

When the old woman who made the fires and swept the room Only two of the forty boys (which was the numerical limit)
appeared later, she was fairly astounded to see them sleepily became a reproach to the school; neither was a fit associate, and
conning the tasks assigned to them. With a loud exclamation both were finally expelled. One became a horse thief, and the
she brought Mr. Jewett down in his night clothes. He was pro- other a murderer; both were outlawed. In my youth they were
fuse in his apologies—distressed with the thought of his forget- held up to me by my parents as horrid examples of total de-
fulness—and tenderly solicitous for their welfare. They had pravity, in striking contrast with the shining virtues of our
suffered enough, he said, and were excused from attendance | neighbors, the Calder boys, whose footsteps I have always en-
until the following day. The scamps played their part well, deavored to follow.

and wisely kept their own counsel. A system of monitors was a part of Mr. Jewett’s method of

Market Street between Third and Fourth Streets was a busy discipline. At first, in the old school, these very brilliant exam-

scene of healthful sport for the boys during the hour of recess ; ples of his favor were privileged to fire the stove, sweep the
“old hundred,” “three-handed cat,” games of marbles “for fun” room, bring in water, and to take a half holiday on Friday; but
and “for winnance,” spinning tops of all descriptions—the most later this espionage became offensive and fell into desuetude.
approved and expensive being fashioned by William Kellogg— Mr. J ewett always wore rubber shoes, which enabled him to
“Jumping frog,” walking on the hands with the heels in the air, steal with cat-like tread upon an unsuspecting culprit absorbed
and other diversions made Jack anything but a dull boy. John In the drawing of a caricature and administer a form of punish-

irrepressible pranks; it was, therefore, not at all unusual when
Mr. Jewett, at the closing hour, ordered them one fine afternoon

Rankin took first distinction in putting a top to sleep; Steve
Jewett was most skillful at marbles; little Tom Wright excelled

at the bat; Jim Metts jumped without running and turned a
somersault in the air; he also walked on his hands a whole block,

followed on foot by an admiring throng; and Richard Moore’s

ment upon the ear which we all despised.

The recitation-room floggings were generally severe, but to
Mr. Jewett’s credit it may be said that there was no leniency
shown to his four nephews, who had all “a hard road to travel” ;

and Bradley J ewett, a bright and genial pupil, was often im-
16 |