The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-04-18


stopped her by saying, MY goad woman
don't 60 away. The baby dosen't distur
me-" ut isn't for that, sir, leave," sh
replied, with perfect Inconsistencies Q
sarcasm; ''lt's you disturbs the baby.
HARRl'S COMPACT.
| A schoolmistress had been engaged il
place of the outgoing master, who ha'
been called to professors chair at
University.
She was to be in the little old school
house on the first Monday in May.
There had been some difference O
opinion among the people, one part,
wishing for gentleman, the other from
motives OF economy, preferring lad,
teacher. The latter faction had carried
the day.
School opened with a full attendance
One class consisted of lads whose age!
ranged from sixteen to twenty. They hat
been much attached to Mr.. Osborne, ant
the idea of seeing Il lady in his place wa.
SO distasteful to them that they hac
formed league among themselves tt
make the place, as they said, ''too hot
for her.
Taken singly, each woull have beer
ashamed to annoy woman, bnt one had
urged another On until their views seem
ed right and justifiable.
! Miss Brown was in happy ignorance oi
this unpleasant feeling, as she was 6
stranger in the place. An o!d friend had
heard of the position, and, knowing he,
to be in search Of one, had advised her tc
apply for it.
The school-house boasted but one room
platform ran across the end; on it stood
a desk, with bible, pen, and a eerule
IN close proximity to each other.
Of the two rows of seats ranged along
the sides, those nearest the entrance were
reserved for the older scholars, as they
were provided with desks; the others be-
ing without that convenience, were occu-
pied by the primary class.
Between these benches, filled with chill
| dren, watching her entrance with eager,
curious eyes, lay Miss Browns pathway
to her desk.
As she came in, there were looks, first
! OF surprise, then OF amusement.
She was so petite, with round, childish
, face which flushed slightly as she saw
the formidable class OF boys, all taller,
some older than herself.
For moment she was conscious of a
feeling of dismay; but down deep in her
heart lurked trust in the innate noble
ness of the manly nature, and of its chiv-
alrous respect for woman, so she soon ral-
lied her courage.
Turning as she reached the platform,
she said pleasantly:
II am glad to see so many bright,
young faces here this morning. Our pur-
pose is the same--to work. I to teach
you to learn. l shall give you very few
rules. SO their will be no temptation to
bresk them, and hope that the end of
the season will find our school one to be
proud Of. Let lis begin by saying the
Lords prayer
The fresh, young voice had charm
peculiarly its own. She was so girlish
looking, it filled the scholars with sur
prise to hear her address them with such
quiet dignity. A chapter from the Bible
followed the prayer. Then she said:
" The Older pupils will please take the
oooAn viz AAoNO bOCA uSC$
and prepare lessons. I will form the
classes as soon as have time to examine
all, but 1t will bc slow work. feel sure
that you will aid me in my duties by
being Us quiet as possible until we get in
to smooth. working order. First, I will
give the little ones an exercise"
She went to the blackboard, gave a
few bold, free strokes with some colered
crayons s. re had brought, and 10! a child
stood out in fine relief. Smiling at the
chidren's delighted faces, she told them q
brief but engrossiny story about the two,
holding attention from first to last, then
printed some short explanatory words
underneath her sketch for them to say
over in concert until memorized.
"There, children, that is your first
lesson i'll reading and spelling. Now sit
down. You shall have states and pencils
to copy
Just then large spit-ball whizzed past,
escaping her cheek, and lodging Oh the
blackboard. She glanced around in
search of tho sender, whose look of pre-
ternatural innocence at once betrayed
him
"The boy who is studying 50 very in
dustriously may come to me-"
A pair Of merry bright eyes glanced up
from his book. Their owner saw he was
found out, and locking rather shame faced
went forward, amid subdued gjg.le from
the rest of the scholars.
"What is yous name?-Jack? Well,
Jack, see you have an active tempera-
menr and are happiest when busy. Please
take these slate. pencils and sharpen them
nicely. We want good materials to work
with, don't we chicks?' with bright look
at the little ones.
So on, through the long day, with many
experiences calculated to vex her; but she
bore them all with imperturabable good
humOr.
A lecture by an experienced instructor,
to which she had once listened, had i'm
pressed her with its good sense; and one
of his maxims was, "never lose command
of your own temper, if you wish to con-
troll Others"
When the Oldest class was called for
examination, she felt, az The stalwart, rud-
dy-faced boys lowered up in front of her,
that 1t was almost presumption to think
OF teaching them. But she soon found
the benefit Of her thorough drill in the
Normal College. Though the tall pupils
were good i'll their studies as fur as thev
went, they had as yet only padded their
boats on the edge of the ocean of knowl-
edge, while she had breasted some of the
breakers.
She worked patiently and presevering-
ly on, and after time, succeeded in
making the school marvel of order and
industry.
One among the larger boys-Harry
Chisholm--had always led in every kind
of frolic and mischief. He Was a little
past his sixteenth birthday; handsome
and sunburned, with curly hair and me
ry blue eyes. r
Before Miss Brown took up her ''mimic
ocantro ~ ho ho1 haor nm cc ho~ ~,oao