Began then the long procession of miners walking around the room before taking their seats on the benches.  At their head was Happy Halliday, who carried in his hands a number of slates, the one on the top having a large sponge attached.  These were all more or less in bad condition, some having no frames, while others were mere slits of slate, but all had slate-pencils fastened to them by strings.

“Come along, boys, get your slates!” sang out Happy as he left the line and let the others file past him.

“Whoop!” vociferated Trinidad in a burst of enthusiasm.

“Trin, you’re out o’ step there!” reprimanded the teacher a little sharply; and then addressing Happy she ordered him to take his place once more in the line.

In a little while they were all seated, and now, at last, it seemed to the barkeeper as if the air of the room had been freed of its tension.  No longer did he experience a sense of alertness, a feeling that something out of the ordinary was going to happen, and it was with immense relief that he heard the Girl take up her duties and ask: 

“What books were left from last year?”

At first no one was able to give a scrap of information on this important matter; maybe it was because all lips were too dry to open; in the end, however, when the silence was becoming embarrassing, Happy moistened his lips with his tongue, and answered: 

“Why, we scared up jest a whole book left.  The name of it is—­is—­is—­” The effort was beyond his mental powers and he came to a helpless pause.

Swelling with importance, and drawing forth the volume in question from his pocket, Sonora stood up and finished: 

“—­is ‘Old Joe Miller’s Jokes.’”

“That will do nicely,” declared the Girl and seated herself on the pine-decorated box.

“Now, boys,” continued Sonora, ever the most considerate of pupils, “before we begin I propose no drawin’ of weppings, drinkin’ or swearin’ in school hours.  The conduct of certain members wore on teacher last term.  I don’t want to mention no names, but I want Handsome an’ Happy to hear what I’m sayin’.”  And after a sweeping glance at his mates, who, already, had begun to disport themselves and jeer at the unfortunate pair, he wound up with:  “Is that straight?”

“You bet it is!” yelled the others in chorus; whereupon Sonora dropped into his seat.

In time order was restored and now the Girl, looking at Rance out of her big, frightened, blue eyes, observed: 

“Rance, last year you led off with an openin’ address, an’—­”

“Yes, yes, go on Sheriff!” cried the boys, hailing her suggestion with delight.

Nevertheless, the Sheriff hesitated, seeing which, Trinidad contributed:  “Let ’er go, Jack!”

At length, fixing a look upon the Girl, Rance rose and said significantly: 

“I pass.”

“Oh, then, Sonora,” suggested the Girl, covering up her embarrassment as best she could, “won’t you make a speech?”