CHAPTER III.

Mr. Bernard tries his hand.

Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.  At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.  The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.  As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

“Pigwacket, sometimes spelt Pequawkett.   A post-village and township in
_________ Co., State of _________,situated in a fine agricultural region,
2 thriving villages, Pigwacket Centre and Smithville, 3 churches, several
school houses, and many handsome private residences.   Mink River runs
through the town, navigable for small boats after heavy rains.   Muddy
Pond at N. E.  section, well stocked with horn pouts, eels, and shiners. 
Products, beef, pork, butter, cheese.   Manufactures, shoe-pegs,
clothes-pins, and tin-ware.   Pop. 1373.”

The reader may think there is nothing very remarkable implied in this description.  If, however he had read the town-history, by the Rev. Jabez Grubb, he would have learned, that, like the celebrated Little Pedlington, it was distinguished by many very remarkable advantages.  Thus: 

“The situation of Pigwacket is eminently beautiful, looking down the lovely valley of Mink River, a tributary of the Musquash.  The air is salubrious, and many of the inhabitants have attained great age, several having passed the allotted period of ‘three-score years and ten’ before succumbing to any of the various ‘ills that flesh is heir to.’  Widow Comfort Leevins died in 1836 AEt.  LXXXVII. years.  Venus, an African, died in 1841, supposed to be C. years old.  The people are distinguished for intelligence, as has been frequently remarked by eminent lyceum-lecturers, who have invariably spoken in the highest terms of a Pigwacket audience.  There is a public library, containing nearly a hundred volumes, free to all subscribers.  The preached word is well attended, there is a flourishing temperance society, and the schools are excellent.  It is a residence admirably adapted to refined families who relish the beauties of Nature and the charms of society.  The Honorable John Smith, formerly a member of the State Senate, was a native of this town.”