Behind the Map

The woman teacher at Hokum Center could not handle her unruly pupils. When the Mayor of the town is attracted by the commotion he fires her on the spot and sends at once to the city for a man teacher. Bill, the new teacher, arrives and receives a warm reception by the pupils. His arm becomes so tired spanking them that next day he opens school with a fangled spanking machine installed. This does the business and the pupils decide that the new teacher had best be let alone. May, the belle of the village, is fond of Jed, who considers himself too big to go to school. When he learns that the new teacher is paying court to his May, he decides to go. Bill at first thinks that Jed is a little fellow, because he is slumped away down in the seat, but is amazed to discover Jed's size. He realizes that if Jed continues to be a pupil his reign as master of the school will soon come to an end. For just such an emergency he has provided a bottle of "Courage," which he keeps behind the map, and of this he imbibes at frequent intervals. The Mayor pays the school a visit to see how his new "man" teacher is getting along and finds everything fine. Bill decides that is is now brave enough to thrash the unruly Jed. He makes an attempt, but fails and seeks safety in flight. —Moving Picture World, August 25, 1917