scenes of fierce snow-ball fighting between 'Hillers' and 'Streeters,' as the scholars from the different localities were distinguished." As the rebellious spirit was still exhibited among the boys, he further writes: "The coming in of Mr. Simeon H. Calhoun very soon restored order to the school, and fixed himself in the affection of the scholars. He gave them fair warning that their conduct in school would determine his rule over them, whether it should be mild or severe. He gave them good specimens of both kinds; the very severe on occasions when it was called for, and the rule of kindest love for those who sought it by obedience to the rules of the school. None of those in the school during Mr. Calhoun's era ever speak of him but in the most affectionate terms, and, widely as they have been scattered since their school days, they have retained most loving remembrance of him. Mr. Calhoun's decided Christian character, manifested both in the school and in his general influence in Springfield, and which asserted itself in his subsequent career as a tutor in Williams College and as a missionary in Syria, was the charm that drew all hearts to him."
One of the "bright boys," now a resident of California, writes: "I well remember the floggings Mr. Calhoun used to give me (and I guess I deserved them), but his successor, a most excellent teacher, taught only one term, during which the boys made it uncomfortable for him. I think it was during his term that he organized an evening school in order to further improve our minds, and at which a Jack o'lantern was placed on top of the mineral case, and one evening -- and it was the last with lighted candles -- ink stands and bullets were thrown about the room and through the windows, the old box stove near the door was covered with tallow and, and several lengths of the stove pipe, which ran the entire length of the room, was let down on the desks, causing the school to be dismissed the next morning and giving us a half holiday. Once brickbats were hung under the floor, suspended by a string close to
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