Deacon Beaumont took the chair--my chair--and Mr Curtis was
appointed secretary. I began to hate Deacon Beaumont, as also Mr.
Curtis, who was the only other teacher present; it was evident they
were going to put him in my place.
Each speaker on rising put his left hand in the side pocket of his
pants. I was not mentioned by name, but nevertheless I was given
clearly to understand that I had been reared in a land whose people
are under the dominion of a tyrannical monarch and a bloated
aristocracy; that therefore I had never breathed the pure air of
freedom, and was unfitted to teach the children of the Great Republic.
Mr. Tucker, an influential citizen, moved finally that the school
managers be instructed to engage a Mr. Sellars, of Dresden, as
teacher at the West Joliet School. He said Mr. Sellars was a young
man from New England who had been teaching for a term at Dresden, and
had given great satisfaction. He had the best testimony to the
character and ability of the young man from his own daughter, Miss
Priscilla Tucker, who had been school marm in the same school, and
was now home on a visit. She could give, from her own personal
knowledge, any information the managers might require.
Mr. Tucker's motion was seconded. There was no amendment proposed,
and all in favour of the motion were requested by Deacon Beaumont to
stand up.
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