The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-07-23
Our New School Ma'am.

"Tcll you what it is, boys, We'll keep
pretty civil for day OF two, and see what
kind o stuff she is made Of. She is 4 wo-
man, you know, and we can't put her ont
doors, as we did old Thompson last winter:
nor can we give her such a thrashing as we
gave that Edwards, who came after Thomp-
son but as for being TWied by a 1ron1aR
we will Just show them trustees we wont
do it, AS if to emphasize the words
handsome John Howard gave the door
fierce blow with the poker, and shook back
the heavy curls from his white forehead.
s:Thats so, John. The idea, any way,
of their sending a woman to keep school
for such great big boys as we are. don't
care how big she may be, don't stand it,,
And Ed Conger looked rs if he could do
all he said.
The other boys were about agreeing to
follow suit, when little Alice Bell came
running in, saying that the school ma am
was coming with Mr.. Braddon.
. Remember, boys, be civil a day or two, "
continued John Howard, as a crimson dress
and white apron made their appearance III
the doorway
Full forty pairs Of eyes were bent on the
new teacher, us she walked leisurely to the
desk, took of her gloves, unwound the
teecy white cloud from around her rosy
face hung her shawl on a nail, and then
came to the stove, saying TO Mr.. Braddon,
but looking at the group gathered around
the stove
And these arp the scholars, arc they"
g Yes, Miss Tanner, and hope with
great stress on the hope) "that you will
find them q00d seh0lars.'
They look as though they might be-,
she said, with smile at us ali.
"Well, children, don't disappoint your
teacher this winter. She expects great
things of YOU" and wishing good morning
to her, he bowed himself out.
Immediately she took the schoo!-bell,
and going to the door, rang it loudly, call
ing the scholars in and school to order.
We had little time to say anything, but
there was much head-shaking and many
contradictory looks, as we went to our
seats in shutting, disagreeable way, Won
dering what next would be done.
We expected an Introductory lecture,
such as our teachers had always opened
school but without one word she went
to her satchel, took out q small pocket
Bible Jour school house did not contain
,.1, , hot ! MI
to read, in clear, sweet voice, about the
infant Jesus.
1t was an unheard-ef proceeding, and it
kept every one Of us perfectly still till the
chapter was through, when, to astonsh us
still more, she asked all of us who were
wiling i,,iift., to fold our hands while size asked
Gods blessing.
In spite of ourselves, every scholar, froi;:-
old to young, clasped their hands together
in an attitude of prayer, while our teacher,
with bowed head and low sweet voice, re-
cited the Lords prayer. l am afraid we
forgot the purport of the words, we were
all SO intent in watching her but the OK
ample was the same. All day long we
watched her, and did rs we were bid. and
when night came, the younger scholars
boys and girls, went home shouting and
laughing, tossing up their hats and bask-
cts: for the school teacher had burned up
Ill the rods that day, and how could she
whip them hereafter?
We will be careful and not need any
whipping said little peace maker Allie
But we older ones got together to COM
pare notes and resolve what should be the
order of to morrow
"But how is any one going to do any
thing with such morsel of humanity as
she iS?' growled Charlie Simpkins, in any
thing but good humor with himself.
'sShe is stouter, probably for being
small" snapped Ed Conser
"Wcll, Ed, there is one thing positive
She is a lady, and a lady has got to be re
spected" Honest Benny Warwicl>'s face
9lowcd with admiration
"You' re a fool, Ben, and lose your heart
for every pretty face, returned Ed Conger,
GROSSLY.
Hush, boys, wait Il day or two longer"
urged John Howard !; eve can't tell any
thing about Miss Tanner yet
And so, as John was the leader in all
this, everything went on quietly for a week
or two when one day one of the boys want
ing some question answered. stepped up
to the teacher, when she was near the stove
and calling her attention to what he want
ed, dropped handful of red pepper on the