toonist of Mr. Simms carrying a rifle with the intention of shooting up
the school board in case the decision went against the schoolmaster.

* * * * *

"When it became known," said the news story, "that the schoolmaster had
bet his job on the proficiency of his school in studies supposed and
alleged to have been studiously neglected, the excitement rose to fever
heat. Local sports bet freely on the result, the odds being eight to five
on General Proficiency against the field. The field was Jim Irwin and his
school. And the way those rural kids rose in their might and ate up the
text-books was simply scandalous. There was a good deal of nervousness on
the part of some of the small starters, and some bursts of tears at
excusable failures. But when the fight was over, and the dead and wounded
cared for, the school board and the county superintendent were forced to
admit that they wished the average school could do as well under a similar
test.

"The local Mr. Dooley is Cornelius Bonner, a member of the 'board.' When
asked for a statement of his views after the county superintendent had
decided that her old sweetheart was to be allowed the priceless boon of
earning forty dollars a month during the remainder of his contract, Mr.
Bonner said, 'Aside from being licked, we're all right. But we'll get this
guy yet, don't fall down and fergit that!'

"'The examinations tind to show,' said Mr. Bonner, when asked for his
opinion on the result, 'that in or-r-rder to larn anything you shud shtudy
somethin' ilse. But we'll git this guy yit!'"

* * * * *

"Jim," said Colonel Woodruff, as they rode home together, "the next heat
is the school election. We've got to control that board next year--and
we've got to do it by electing one out of three."

"Is that a possibility?" asked Jim. "Aren't we sure to be defeated at
last? Shouldn't I quit at the end of my contract? All I ever hoped for was
to be allowed to fulfill that. And is it worth the fight?"

"It's not only possible," replied the colonel, "but probable. As for being
worth while--why, this thing is too big to drop. I'm just beginning to
understand what you're driving at. And I like being a wild-eyed reformer
more and more."

CHAPTER XIV

THE COLONEL TAKES THE FIELD

Every Iowa county has its Farmers' Institute. Usually it is held in the
county seat, and is a gathering of farme