Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-04-29
Next boy" observed DR.. Barrows in
n oeremptory tone.

"Next boy!' observed DR.. Barrows in
peremptory tone.
The next boy interpolated an extra
'p," the one beyond clung to the obnox-
ious sc" whereupon the doctor passed it
down the line, until it was correctly
spelled by the fifth scholar, girl. The
sixth, Carrie Ainsworth, who had recited
seventeen pages of Butler, became hope
lessly wrecked over the word prejudice, y
and retreated behind her pocket handker-
chief. Three succeeding girls and four
boys fell in the same pit, and the four
teenth scholar, who did finally give it
correctly, more because all the incorrect
methods had been exhausted than from
any knowledge of the subject, immedi-
ately disgraced himself over the ortho-
graphical distinction between "ale" and
"ail."
1t is needless to tell how the rest of
the school fioundered over the simplest
words; how, too, sums in long and short
division on the blackboard presented in
sumountable difficulties; how the null
tiplication table became a source Of grief
TO the children and shame TO the teacher
how the best Greek scholar insisted that
9 times were 81 and times 9 Sc; and
how little Freddie Donovan of whom
Miss Revere had boasted that he knew
the Greek alphabet before he did the
English, spelled cat dog and main
tanned that two from five left seven. Long
before this dismal and bewildering con-
clusion was reached, every one was in a
wild state of apprehension and excite
ment; the audience, half on their feet,
detected or delighted according as they
lived in Upper Nineveh or Babylon Cen
tire; the committee indignant with every
body and especially DR.. Barrows, as be-
ing the disturber of their peace; Miss
Revere nearly overcome with wrath and
notifications and the children wholly
demoralized-the boys sullen and careless,
the girls bdthed in tears. The only cool
and collected person was DR.. Barrows,
who finally, having elected the important
mathematical fact alluded to, bowed qui-
etly to Miss Revere and resumed his seat.
1t was a hard task that now devolved
on DR.. Trumbull-to make the closing
address. The worthy man could not use
word of the glowing eulogy which he
had prepared and was almost as much at
loss as the children themselves had been.
So he did the best thing he could under
the circumstances, and only urged that
due allowance should be made for the ex-
cited and embarrassed scholars, referred
to their excellent drill in the higher
branches, and cautiously admitted, in al
most Dr. Barrows' words, that perhaps
some of the time bestowed upon these
might have been proftably devoted to
the elementary studies. And then the
audience, being dismissed. filed out of
the church and went home, leaving Kate,
who had been for half an hour the target
of their curious inspection, almost on FIRE
with a consciousness of the fact. Ii was
some consolation to have the children
flock around her and express their anger
and sympathy, but even this in her ex-
cited mood she could hardly bear, and felt
relieved when they too had gone. Among
the last was Carrie AinSworth, who, as
she kissed Kate goodbye, could not help
exclaiming, "Oh, Miss Revere, don't you
hate Dr. Barows "
But Kate put her hand over the child S
mouth.
"It's wicked to hate" she said. And
yet Kate thought she was not far from the
sin at that moment. And when the girl
had left her, and the committee, not
eager TO encounter Miss Revere, were one
by one casually passing down the aisle,
DR.. Barows coming up unperceived
heard her exclaim, bitterly, $50 ungen-
erous!" Her possession, though, was
by no means lost, for when she saw him
by her side, she turned quickly, while
two red spots burned in her checks and
her hands were tightly clasped over the
Latin grammar, and said resentfully:
Il hope you are satisfied, DR.. Barrows." "
The doctor maintained his grave ex-
preston.
"Are you satisfied, Miss Revere" he
asked.
Kate's eyes flashed.
81 was, DIR. Barrows, until you chose
to interfere"
Had YOU any right to be satisfied,
Miss Revere
I'm sure they did beautifully, DIR.
Barows," with indignant emphasis; you
could not expect me to waste all my time
on the primer and multiplication table. "
The doctor smiled, little scornfully,
as Kate thought.
Il didn't expect it, Miss Revere;
hadn't an idea that you would, and that
is why should have preferred some one
else for the place
Miss Onderdonk would have done
better, | suppose" said Kate, in hard,
dry tone.
The doctor bowed.
Undoubtedly, she would. Miss On
derdonk understands and is willing to
teach the things the children ought to
know"
Miss Onderdonk is quite welcome to
the place" said Kate loftily.
YES" said the doctor calmly, Il as
sumed that she would be, after this
"And you contrived this exhibition to-
day." said Kate, Indignantly, "to secure
such a result"