South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-09-12
Miss Dexter's Pupil.

That Is true replied his COMPANION.
and so is the work of q superintcndinq
school committee. This dealing Wild
ignorant and conceited parents Who want
to dictate what their children shall study,
VINO often have some petty spite against
the teacher or committee TO CRAFTY, aud
who will not stop TO break up a school.
could they carry out their miserable
schemes, is utterly disagreeable. Nc,
my friend, there is not money enough
to tempt me TO have anything TO DO with
the management of the schools Of our
good town of Marshton;' and the two
ncn descended the piazza steps aad
walked on toward the Beach.
n lady near me, with whom | had
formed a pleasant little acquaintance.
looked up and smiled. The couscien
tious teacher who loves 10 work she
said. does not always look for immedi.
ate truition or all her works aud hopes.
She is now sowing good seeds, knowing
not Just when or how the harvest will
succeed. taught SCHOOL many years.
and am for from calling it thanklcss
calling meet my old scholar every.
where, and the thanks | have received
from them, orally and by letter, are the
pleasantest spots in my life experience
just then the owner and proprietor OF
the great hotel, Landlord Strong. passed
10y the bluff before us, glanced up and
smiled and raised his hat. Although he
was very shrewd business man, with
great executive capacity, lie was At the
same time largc-hear;ed, gentlcmany
and courteous to every one, and uui>
vorsal favorite. knew that this Charm.
M woman, who had been known in her
teaching days "a Miss Dexter, had The
best room in the hotel, was waited upon
with extra attention.. had the most sly.
ltsh horses and Carriages ut her hilijng
and that the landlord never passed her
without raising his hat and bowling rs ii
TO u queen.
I he gentle little woman by His side
returned the bow and smile; AMI then
turning 10 me again, said: you are
gathering facts all the time: lct me tell
you a story for your note hook, to bc
used at some future time not here 0!
course | thanked her, aud sac went
on:
Il began 10 teach when was fifteen,
with o great many enthusiasts ideas in
my little head, in regard to my high and
noble calling, which | have kept with
me Till this present hour. After teach
ing number of terms, [ was empl0vei
here in this town TO teach Che village
school in h very same little building.
around the corner yonder, now repaired
and used for the primary scholars.
boarded at this hotel, q very small os-
s,l. iful,, 81. =.
Widow Rugg. The committee haB hir-
cd me entirely from my reputation "a n
teacher in an adjoining town, and when
they came TO see me race 20 face, ana
noticed my youthful appearance, thoy
evidently had some misgivinrs - TO my
ability TO manage the larger pupils Of
the school, whomcthcy designate hard
set Now there is Tom Strong sail
they, we may as we'll tell Won at the
start thai you had better let him alone
get along with him the best way Won can.
When you cannot stand him any LONGER.
let us know and we will send him home.
The boy cannot be taught ANYTHING. we
have hal conscientious. paiDstaking 'ca-
chcrs, who declared ttat il was inpo,-
Siblc TO teach him to count spell. or
W ~ MS Wv 10 uIulC tNCi.
j found this lad to be tall aud hin
blue and pinched, with hardly life on
ouyh 10 do anything in school but make
groCtcsquc faces for the amusement Of
tie children. put M cnd 10 tina, nt
once by making rule that any eoholar
who laughed at Tom Sircaa's face
should sit with the dirty, ragged. un;ept
boy, and take lessons from him ~ a IA
cial Contortionist, while the rest OF the
school looked on.
Ut did seem as If the poor fellow
could not be made to remember anything
but | said to myself, lie "a not an
idiot, and he shall be taught 20 read and
spell easy words at first, ana write his
name. Ito had been laundering along
in an advanced reader, with class o.
live bright boys OF his own ogo md size.
Not wishing TO humiliote the LAD by put.
ting him in the infant class. where be
really belonged, | had him read by him
self from the pre- " red mOrocao-bOurl
Bible. beginning With the Sermon on ,lc
Mount, and taking up The PARALLELS 10
good time.
i set him easy copies iu writing. His
indolant and rebclious conduct over
this part OF his labor with him attracted
the attention OF one Of the older gir'q.
who said TO me one day at recess don't
suppose Tom Strong has strength O.
nough 90 learn 10 write OF to apply him
self TO anything Ills folks are yerr
poor and shiftless and they 1avcr have
any meat 20 cat.nor any good. nuiri'ioua
food. lie never brings any dinner CT
luncE 90 eat at noon, and never ruusau1
plays with the boys. Ilc IS DO. strong
enough. teacher.
That gave me n clue 60 Tho secret OF
the strange wisJful, hungry look iu the
poor boys eyes. ! lay awake and
thought about it al that night, and i1
the morning resolved 10 act. After
breakfast ! went down 90 tie kitchen
and made Mrs. Rurg give me $40 or
three generous slices or roast beef and
bread, some louglmu,s and clc,.c. wrap
ped up in paper.
Going early to the school house. 81
found Tom there as usua 80. .-t' a0l..
or a. bn On bpDrr ,f gr.,- .fff........