The Hoosier Schoolmaster

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The story is laid in 1831 in rural Indiana, then the western frontier of the United States. Ralph Hartsook drifts into Flat Creek District and before he leaves he demonstrates that "l'arnin'" is a keener-edged tool than "lickin." Before the arrival of the schoolmaster in Flat Creek, Hannah Thompson, a girl educated beyond her surroundings, sensitive and of a retiring disposition, had been bound out as a servant in the Means household. She becomes a drudge and a slave because she is not made of the stuff necessary to combat the brutality of the Means. Under the soiled clothes of the bound girl Ralph sees the "Queen rose of the rosebud garden of girls." Strong as her aversion is to education, Mrs. Means does not object to taking it into the family and she plans that Ralph marry her daughter. Where Ignorance errs Vanity is wise. She detests Ralph as a schoolmaster, but would boast of him as a son-in-law. The situation of Sis Means, egged on by her mother, playing for the favor of Ralph, and Ralph, his heart burning up for love of the bound girl, doing his best to maintain peace with the Means, gives rise to a sequence of the richest comedy. From the day of his arrival the schoolmaster is looked upon as the natural enemy of the Flat Creek people. Bud Means is the champion schoolmaster-hater. He is six feet two inches tall and has "licked" every unfortunate schoolmaster who has ventured into the district. Although rumors of the past and threats for the future bear him down, Ralph decides to stay and organize his "Church of the Licks." When his pupils fail in their attempt to drive the schoolmaster out of the district the patriarchs undertake the job under the leadership of Pete Jones, a politician with influence in the community. The responsibility of a grave crime is fastened upon Ralph. Crowds gather and public sentiment runs high. Bud Means joined the "Church of the Best Licks" at the last moment and Pete Jones, by an unexpected turn of events, at his trial is branded as the guilty party. Shocky, Hannah's brother, is remembered in the end.