The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-04-17
HARRY'S COMPACT.

HARRY'S COMPACT.
A schoolmistress had been engaged il
place of the outgoing master, who hat
been called to q professors chair 81:
University. >.
She was to be in the little old school
house on the first Monday in May 3.
There had been some difference O
opinion among the people, one part,
wishing for a gentleman, the other from
motives of economy, preferring lad,
teacher. The latter faction had carried
the day. 81 So, IT,
School opened with full attendance
One class consisted of lads whose age.
ranged from sixteen to twenty. They hai
been much attached to Mr.. Osborne. anc
the idea OF seeing alady in his place wal
so distasteful to them that they haG
formed league among themselves t.
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 ,justifable.
Miss Brown was in happy ignorance oil
this unpleasant feeling, as she was q
stranger in the place. An old friend had
heard OF the position, and, knowing her
to be in search Of one,s had advised her to
apply for it. - =, 80 s7.r'
The school-house boosted but one room,
A platform ran across the end on it stood
a desk, with bible, pen, and serule,
in close proximity to each other. =
Ut the two rows of seats ranged along
the sides, those nearest the entrance were
reserved tor 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. - E>>'. .l.. =
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 q
feeling of dismay; but down deep in he1
heart lurked trust in the innate noble
ness OF the manly nature, and of its chiv-
alrous respect for woman, SO she soon raj
lied her courage. s., A. .s--.
Turning as she reached the platform,
she said pleasantly 49,. =. ..
IL 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. I shall give you very few
rules, 50 their will be no temptation to
break them, and hope that the end of
the season will find our school one to be
proud of: Let us begin by saying the
Lords prayer" - ~ :.
The fresh, young voice had a 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:
s =" The older pupils will please take the
books they have been accustomed to use,
and prepare lessons. I will form the
classes as soon as I have time to examine
all, but 1t will he slow work. / feel sure
that you will aid me in my duties by
being as 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 sre had brought, and 10! a child
stood .out in fine relief. Smiling at the
chidren's delighted faces, she told them a
brief but engrossing 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 threading and spelling. Now sit
down. You shall have states and pencils
tocopy-:'
Just then large spit-ball whizzed past,
escaping her cheek, and lodging ON the
blackboard. She glanced around in
search of the sender, whose look of pre-
ternatural innocence at once betrayed
him a.
"The boy who is studying so very in
dustriously may come to me-" 25E 4
A5pair Of merry bright eyes glanced up
from his book. Their owner saw he was
found out, and looking rather shame-faced
went forward, amid subdued gigsle from
the rest of the scholars. Is
"What is yous <name2-Jack2 Well,
Jack, I see you have an active tempera-
ment and are happiest when busy. Please
take these slate pencils and sharpen them
nicely. We want good materials to work
with, don't we chicksa" with bright look
at the little, ones. ss.,-~ ,.,r,.s ....
So on, through the long day, with many
calculated to vex her; but she
bore them all with imperturabable good
= 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 tic Oldest class was called for
examination, she felt, as the stalwart, rud-
dy-faced boys lowered up in front of her,
that it 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 in their studies as far as they
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