Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-02-16

" .Oo ts.ss
There were wild scholars in tina
school-the girls well-grown romps
who were almost without exception
handsome, and who knew it.
nice time fair-haired, blue-eyed
gentle young Harry Mum was t
have with them. He guessed tina
rs he rose at his desk on the frs
morning.
Five young men and one elderl.
women had come from that school
house vanquished, and now h,
headed the forlorn hope-a mar
not five-and-twenty yet, with col
legiate education, sensitive feelings
and no physique. He knew moth.
ing about girls. His two demure
sisters might not have been of the
same race, for oil the likeness
there was between them and these
romps. And they were so pretty,
especially Violet Raynor, the worst
romp Of all.
In those first days they tried all
old tricks hid their slate pencils
and heated his, chalked faces on the
blackboard, wrote rhymes in the
copy books; passed some simple
answer that everybody knew up
and down the class talked, ate
apples and cracked nuts; wrote
him love letter, which they signed
with the name of the late deposed
spinster, and sent it to him by a
small child, who arrived in school
time; set flies on the wing with
paper slips tied to their legs; trip
ped over his toes and apologized
upset his inkstand on purpose
and did a thousand other such imp
ish things.
He kept thinking that Violet
was the prettiest girl he had ever
seen. She looked so good and
sweet, too. How could she Join in
these frolics 7 And indeed she was
not as bad as the rest, and once or
twice actually behaved beautifully.
Violet certainly could be charm
ing if she choose. She, on her part
secretly thought the teacher very
handsome and very pleasant. She
was II, and old enough to think of
handsome men with some interest.
His delicate manner and gentleman
ly habits pleased her, and she
would have behaved herself in q
lady-like way but for popular opin-
ion. But, alas the "girls" had re-
solved not to give in to any young
man teacher. They were proud of
their horrible conduct, and when
she had endeavored to do well, had |
tainted her with being cowardly.
Violet could not yield to her better
impulses-dared not. And then
she knew very well that the young
teacher admired her, and, under
such circumstances il became sort
Of q triumph to hold out. "Hen
mink I've taken fancy to him if
give In" said she. And in the
Ilserest spirit of defiance she fair
y lad the riot from that moment.
Henry Mum thought this very
lard to bear, but he had no intention
4 giving in. One by one he con- /,
lueredthe girls. The small ones
le switched on the palms. AS a {
ist resort, the elder ones were con-
gned-dimerless-to long lessons,
II had private lectures, which +,
'iamed them into decency.
OF course he did not wish to
witch Violet. She was q young
Nor did lectures have
my effect on her whatever. She
yiggled and pouted, and played !.
ome trick on him ten minutes af-
er. At last one day her outrage
'us ssuciness became more than he
Guild bear, and he determined to
ndure it no longer.
He waited till she was quiet for
moment-she was drawing q car
.at,-re Of him--and arose at his
csk.
"Miss Violet Raynor," he said. >.
"Here she ISL said Violet o .
Where are your eyes, A
Miss Violet Raynor," repeated
[r. Mum, ~ have come to a con- a,
usion concerning you"
"Ahr said Violet; sis It posi-
Ie r
"You are demoralizing the school, ~
Iiss Raynor," said henry; ~set-