Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-10-16
s E L t. CIR ED TALE.
THE SCHOOL MISTRESS,

1.-THE school ma'am's coming-the
school ma'am's coming - shouted q
dozen voices at the close Of half an
hours faithful watch 10 catch a glimpse
Of our teacher. Every eye was turned
towards her with The most scrulinizing
Chancellor the children q, we'll as
others always form an opinion Of a
person, particularly Of their teacher, at
first sight.
"How tall is she - exclaimed one.
"Ho ain't afraid Of her, nor a doz.
en- like her," exclaimed the "big boy" Of
tho school.
"Nor /, either" cried the big boys
little ally, | could lick her easy cnou .h,
couldn't you Tom 7"
"Yes; ard will too, il she goes 10
torch me"
"Hush !" cried one Of the girls, "she
will hear you"
By this time she had nearly reached
the door, round which we were clustered,
and every eye was fixed upon her face,
with an eager, yet bashful gaze, uncer.
tain, os yet, what verdict 10 pass upon
her. ...
"Good morning, children" she said
in the kindest voice in the world. while
her face was lighted with the sweetest
smile imaginable. "1'his is a beautiful
morning 10 commence school, is it not ?"
81 know | shall love her." whispered a
little pet in my ear.
we all followed her into the school
room, except Tom Jones and his oily,
who watched until the rest were seated,
and then came in with staggering,
noisy gait and a sort Of daredevil,
saucy look, as much as to soy, "who
cares for you?"
Miss Westcott looked at them kind.
ly, but appeared not 10 notice them far.
ther. Alter short prayer, and reading
a chapter in the Bible, she passed round
the room, and made some inquiry Of
each one in regard to themselves and
their studies.
"And what is your name 7" she ask.
ed, laying her hand on Toms head,
while he sat with both hands in his
pockets swinging his body backwards
and forwards.
"Tom JONES'" shouted he at the top Of
his voice. ~.
SHOW old are you Thomas :" she
asked. .e
a"Just as old again as half" answered
Tom with saucy laugh.
"What do you study. Thomas 2"
Nothing" ,-
"What books have you?" None."
Without appearing TO be at all dis.
turbed at his replies, Miss Westcot,
said :i"I am glad that | am to have one
or two large boys in my school; you
can be Of great assistance to me-
Thomas, you will stop few moments
after school this afternoon ; we will talk
oves little plan have formed"
"This was mystery 10 all, and par.
ticularly TO Tom, who could not compre.
bend now he could be useful to any.
body, and for the first time ia his life he
felt as il he was Of some importance
in the world. He had always been
called the "bad boy" at school. and he
took SOFT Of pride in being feared by
the children and dreaded by the teach.
,ers. nv -ei ~
~ Miss Westcott, at once, comprehend. {.
ed his whole character, and began to
shape her plans accordingly. She main
tanned thatoa boy, who at twelve years
Of age made himself feared among his
'scholermates, was capable of being
made something Of. Heretofore all in:
Auences had conspired TO make him bad
and perhaps . despera character she
was determined to Transform his char.
acter by bringing opposite influences to
work upon him and to effect this, she
must Jtain his ronfidence, which couldn't
: be done ia. q better way than by letting
: him feel that she placed confidence ia
him. .s1a y. Sif'..@;'H5 3ai,a.aI 4 aii
,t When school was out. more than hal
s,the. scholars fingered aboo. the dool
wendefing what Miss Wes.cott had tt
:. say, 10 Tom Jones. He had often beer
bid 70 remain alter school, but it wa'
always to receive a punishment or I
,i- severe lecture, and nine times out Of ter
= he would jump out OF the room; but !
was evidently for aHdifsrent a pufpos'
Al that he was 70 remain now, and no on
wondered what II could be more thai
=, Tom Jones. .,.,'f, & 3,ta Z. i'a i
Oh aI'spon't you ihink,, Thomas, that ou
ai,schooll room would be far pleasantef
We had some evergreens 10 hang about