The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-06-09
From Ballou's Dollar Monthly.
THE DOCTOR AND THE DOCTORS
SON.
BY ANNIE n. LOWERING.

my head very suddenly one morning, as L
sat in the old kitchen of my fathers house,
with my little brothers and sisters about me
land, indeed. there was a goodly array of
them, that it was about time for me to be
doing something in the world something
outside of the monotonous round of house
hold duties which l performed day after day;
something, perhaps, to relieve my father, in
small way of the burden that rested upon
his shoulders. By this I do not mean that
he was in debt, or that his goodly farm
failed to give his family comfortable, hap
Ply support. Not at all. But let that ques
ton go without further discussion, and suf-
fee it by saying that for very good reasons
of my own, / resolved, as the old people
say, ''to make start in the world
And so I started. How that was brought
about, it would be tedious enough to relate;
but this much 1 will say, that because of
the idea born to me SO suddenly on that
spring morning, l was chosen-of the nu-
merous applicants-teacher of some forty
scholars at distance of twenty miles from
Cranston. I need not add that this was
source of great qualification to me, and that
because of it entered into a vast number
of vague, happy speculations as to how the
summer would glide away now the days
the long summer days-would seem as short
as the shortest of winter ones how would
teach the little children to love me, and by
that means find reader way of interesting
them in their books. Dear me it would
fill good sized volume to write out all that
imagined and dreamed of the summer
which I was to spend in the little village of
Lester.
But "change came DER the spirit of my
dreams;" not before left home, because in
such case might never had found cour-
age to have left it; but just before arrived
at the scene of action.
"You are to teach in Lester village this
summer, if I understand you rightly ?''
said the most gentlemanly of gentlemen be-
fore left the cars at Lester.
The question was not an impertinent one
after our brief morning acquaintance, and
so I answered it in all good faith-a little
pompously, perhaps, for was greatly i'm
pressed with the importance of my calling.
eyes, sir, and I anticipate very pleas
ant summer of it," I said.
"You do 90
| He spoke in quizzical tone, while the
wisest and most inexplicable of smiles
| crossed his face.
eyes, sir, and why not ?" I asked, for
| SctIIHS IDdI my question WAS abrupt, auu
my manner somewhat disturbed.
Nothing, only to realize your pleasant
anticipations, you must meet a different fate
than your predecessors for years back
"And why, sir ?" questioned, my face
getting redder and redder every moment.
Because of all the children under the
sun those of Lester village are the most I'M
manageable. In the course of a summer
they usually succeed in dethroning two or
three teachers
He was very handsome gentleman, as
said before, and as he said this in pleas
ant, laughing way, displaying a set of per-
feet teeth, he grew handsomer than ever.
But did not think much of that, only of
the thread of quiet exultation that thought
detected running through his remarks.
grew piqued in a moment, and answered
him with show of spirit which must have
been quite amusing.
"They will not dethrone me %
"Ah?"
He was, indeed, much amused, for he
looked in my face full moment, as if to
gather from it food for his merriment. AT
that l grew queenly, or at least what !
thought to be SO, and drew myself up as
though there was a question of honor to
settle. Just then the cars came to full
stop, and the conductor gave his call lies
ter - so that l did not have a chance to
answer-not his words, for they were sim
pie enough in themselves-but his manner.
II wish you much success" he said, as
left the cars.
Thank you; your wish shall prove a
prophecy"
That was the first that l heard of my
Lester school, and need not add that my
spirits were somewhat dampened. But that
l should conquer the uhIuly set of mas ,ers
and misses did not doubt for moment.
They'd do well enough if it warn't for
the doctors boy" my goodnatured board
ing mistress said when ] questioned her
concerning my pupils. HE is the ring
leader of 'em, and always has been.''
That was enough for me to know.
would make friends with the Doctors son at
the beginning. But that was easier said
than done, l may as well confess at once.
There was mischief enough in him to have
stocked little million of commonly roguish
boys. Gain an advantage over him in one
way, and he was doubly sure to gain one
over me in another. If attempted to rea-
son with him, his answers would set the
whole school in hubbub, and if l threat
ened 10 punish him, a look of sheer defiance
settled upon his bright face. He troubled
me SO deeply that could not rest night or
day, in school or out. That l grew pale
and thin is not to be wondered at.
When my trial was at its height, CHANGED
to meet my acquaintance and prophet of the
cars. Who he was, or what he was, did
not trouble myself to think. l did not
even care. 1 had hoped to meet him again,
but preferred to have it at the time of my
victory, not at my vanquishment.
"And how are you pleased with your
school go he asked, walking by my side in
an easy, careless way, as though he was an
acquaintance of years.
Il am delighted" I answered. 81 can
not express to you how much so.'
He laughed heartily. Looking into his
face at that moment, thought l could
trace very strong resemblance between
} him and the Doctors son, Frank Eldridge.
A most unpleasant truth dawned upon my
mind. A little angered. 1 determined to
make the most of it.