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    The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleson The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleson    

Chapter 7: Ominous Remarks of Mr. Jones

Performer: Librivox - Bridget Gaige


The schoolmaster's mind was like ancient Gaul — divided into three parts. With one part he mechanically performed his school duties. With another he asked himself, What shall I do about the robbery? And with the third he debated about Bud and Hannah. For Bud was not present, and it was clear that he was angry, and there was a storm brewing.

In fact, it seemed to Ralph that there was a storm brewing all round the sky. For Pete Jones was evidently angry at the thought of having been watched, and it was fair to suppose that Dr. Small was not in any better humor than usual. And so, between Bud's jealousy and revenge and the suspicion and resentment of the men engaged in the robbery at "the Dutchman's" (as the only German in the whole region was called), Ralph's excited nerves had cause for tremor.

At one moment he would resolve to have Hannah at all costs. In the next his conscience would question the rightfulness of the conclusion. Then he would make up his mind to tell all he knew about the robbery. But if he told his suspicions about Small, nobody would believe him. And if he told about Pete Jones, he really could tell only enough to bring vengeance upon himself. And how could he explain his own walk through the pasture and down the road? What business had he being out of bed at two o'clock in the morning?

The circumstantial evidence was quite as strong against him as against the man on the horse with the white left forefoot and the white nose. Suspicion might fasten on himself. And then what would be the effect on his prospects? On the people at Lewisburg? On Hannah?

It is astonishing how much instruction and comfort there is in a bulldog. This slender schoolmaster, who had been all his life repressing the animal and developing the finer nature, now found a need of just what the bulldog had. And so, with the thought of how his friend the dog would fight in a desperate strait, he determined to take hold of his difficulties as Bull took hold of the raccoon. Moral questions he postponed for careful decision. But for the present he set his teeth together in a desperate, bulldog fashion, and he set his feet down slowly, positively, bulldoggedly.

After a wretched supper at Pete Jones's he found himself at the spelling-school, which, owing to the absence of Hannah, and the excitement about the burglary, was a dull affair. Half the evening was spent in talking in little knots. Pete Jones had taken the afflicted "Dutchman" under his own particular supervision.

"I s'pose," said Pete, "that them air fellers what robbed your house must a come down from Jinkins Run. They're the blamedest set up there I ever see."

"Ya-as," said Schroeder, "put how did Yinkins vellers know dat I sell te medder to te Shquire, hey? How tid Yinkins know anyting 'bout the Shquire's bayin' me dree huntert in te hard gash — hey?"

"Some scoundrels down in these 'ere parts is a-layin' in with Jinkins Run, I'll bet a hoss," said Pete. Ralph wondered whether he'd bet the one with the white left forefoot and the white nose.

"Now," said Pete, "ef I could find the feller that's a-helpin' them scoundrels rob us folks, I'd help stretch him to the neardest tree."

"So vood I," said Schroeder. "I'd shtretch him dill he baid me my dree huntert tollars pack, so I vood."

And Betsey Short, who had found the whole affair very funny, was transported with a fit of tittering at poor Schroeder's English.

Ralph, fearing that his silence would excite suspicion, tried to talk. But he could not tell what he knew, and all that he said sounded so hollow and hypocritical that it made him feel guilty. And so he shut his mouth, and meditated profitably on the subject of bulldogs.

And when later he overheard the garrulous Jones declare that he'd bet a hoss he could p'int out somebody as know'd a blamed sight more'n they keerd to tell, he made up his mind that if it came to p'inting out he should try to be even with Jones.

    The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleson The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleson    

Chapter 7: Ominous Remarks of Mr. Jones

Performer: Librivox - Bridget Gaige

Directions

Study the chapter for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read and/or listen to the chapter.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Study the vocabulary words.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Schoolmaster Ralph Hartsook can't decide whether to report seeing the three horsemen and Dr. Small on the night of the robbery. Ralph also worries over what to do about Hannah and Bud. At the spelling-school, Pete Jones claims the burglars are from another town, but the Dutchman doubts outsiders would know he'd had a large amount of money on him that night. Pete Jones hypothesizes a local person tipped off some out-of-towners. Pete Jones then makes a veiled threat about pointing a finger at Ralph. Ralph vows that if Pete Jones points his way, Ralph will point right back.

Vocabulary

Conscience: The moral sense of right and wrong, chiefly as it affects one's own behavior.
Vengeance: Revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong.
Circumstantial: Suggesting guilt, but not proving it conclusively.
Prospects: The potential things that may come to pass, often favorable.
Strait: Narrow, restricted as to space or room, or close.
Moral: Of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior, especially for teaching right behavior.
Garrulous: Excessively or tiresomely talkative.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Book Information

  • Recite the name of the author, the title of the book, and the title of the chapter.

Activity 2: Narrate the Story

  • Narrate the events aloud in your own words.

Activity 3: Study the Story Picture

  • Study the story picture and describe how it relates to the story.

Activity 4: Speak in the Hoosier Dialect

Edward Eggleston wrote this book in the Hoosier dialect of mid-nineteenth century Indiana.

Recite the following sentences in Hoosier dialect with great feeling and emotion.

Feel free to move your body along with the words for emphasis.

  • I s'pose that them air fellers what robbed your house must a come down from Jinkins Run. They're the blamedest set up there I ever see.
  • I could find the feller that's a-helpin' them scoundrels rob us folks, I'd help stretch him to the neardest tree.

Activity 5: Discuss the Mystery

Who robbed the Dutchman? This chapter revealed additional information about the mystery.

  • The Dutchman doubts the robbers are from outside the town.
  • The Dutchman was robbed of three hundred dollars, an especially large amount of money.
  • Pete Jones hypothesizes out-of-towners were assisted by someone local.
  • Given the evidence, list anyone who might have robbed the Dutchman.

Activity 6: Discuss the Story

Ralph can't decide whether to report seeing the three horsemen and Dr. Small on the night of the robbery.

  • List potential consequences for Ralph telling the truth.
  • List potential consequences for Ralph keeping quiet.
  • Do you think Ralph should report what he knows to authorities? Why or why not?

Review

Question 1

Why is Ralph conflicted about the robbery?
1 / 5

Answer 1

Ralph can't decide whether he should report seeing the horsemen and Dr. Small on the night of the robbery.
1 / 5

Question 2

Why doesn't the Dutchman believe the robbers are from out-of-town?
2 / 5

Answer 2

The Dutchman believes the robbers are local because he'd had a particularly large sum of money in his possession when he was robbed.
2 / 5

Question 3

Who does Pete Jones hypothesize are the robbers?
3 / 5

Answer 3

Pete hypothesizes a local person tipped off some out-of-towners.
3 / 5

Question 4

Describe Pete Jones' veiled threat against Ralph.
4 / 5

Answer 4

Pete says he can point out someone who knows more than they are saying - meaning Ralph.
4 / 5

Question 5

What will Ralph do if Pete Jones points toward him for the robbery?
5 / 5

Answer 5

If Pete points at Ralph, Ralph will point back at Pete, as Pete owns one of the horses ridden by the horsemen that night.
5 / 5

  1. Why is Ralph conflicted about the robbery? Ralph can't decide whether he should report seeing the horsemen and Dr. Small on the night of the robbery.
  2. Why doesn't the Dutchman believe the robbers are from out-of-town? The Dutchman believes the robbers are local because he'd had a particularly large sum of money in his possession when he was robbed.
  3. Who does Pete Jones hypothesize are the robbers? Pete hypothesizes a local person tipped off some out-of-towners.
  4. Describe Pete Jones' veiled threat against Ralph. Pete says he can point out someone who knows more than they are saying - meaning Ralph.
  5. What will Ralph do if Pete Jones points toward him for the robbery? If Pete points at Ralph, Ralph will point back at Pete, as Pete owns one of the horses ridden by the horsemen that night.

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