Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-23
Our Teacher.
BY MAY BRENTWOOD.


A long, dark, brick building situated
high up on grassy hillside. A back
ground of trees just bursting into the
bright green OF early spring, and lend
ing their fragran se to the balmy air. A
long, gravelled walk leading down to
the iron gates of Waterford Seminary,
and groups OF laughing school girls
doting here and there the greens ward.
Conspicuous among the number stood
Laura Mayne, proud, naughty girl of
seventeen, whose rich dress and over
bearing ways made her no great favor
ite with her classmates, but there were
few who worshlpped at her shrine,
not because of their true friendship,
but through their great love of nam.
mon.
These few votaries gathered around
her now, and they seemed listening
with breatnless interest to the revela-
tions OF their oracle.
~ tell you, girls, l hate her. and ]
am tempted 10 say that will never re-
cite to her again. l can go home and
have private teacher. Papa would
never ask me 70 stay another day if he
knew how it compromised my dignity
And she stamped her foot, while her
dark eyes reflected the smoluering
fires of her passionate nature.
1t is u shamer' said Susy White.
"Apd it is Il my stery to me how she
washerwoman before she got her po-
sition as teacher. l thought We were
to have select and refined teachers, and
1 do not think that occupation can be a
very refining one."
The girls smiled, while Laura's lip
curled scornfully as she said,-
"And she has been invited to &C.
company US ON our annual picnic; if
she goes, shall not"
A short distance away, Clara Clayto
che favorite of the school, was talking
with another knot of girls.
How do you like our new teacher,
girls?'
I" think she is splendid, and she is
far pIettier than any of her pupils"
said Lila Ashton.
Yes, but her mother is q washer
woman, and l do not see where she
learned her parlor airs" said May
Vane.
"She is none the worse for that.
Grace Leigh is teacher to be proud of.
Once the Leighs stood among our first
families; but they have met with sad
reverses, and learned how cold the
world Can be when wealth has fled.
they have struggled bravely. and have
earned an honest living, ana now Grace
tells me that with her presenL salary her
saoher will not be obliged to work,
while her poor crippled brother has
gone to live with her uncle. know
that Laura Mayne has taken great dis
like to Miss Leigh, and will leave 10
means untried to annoy her; but
trust, though poor and friendless now.
you will not permit her to remain so"
Clara's words had the desired effect.
and her schoolmates eagerly promised
70 befriend the new teacher; and they
kept their word.
had remained a silent spectator of
the scene. l knew Laura Mayne we'll
enough to feel sure that she was
changeable as friend. cruel as q foe.
The day OF the picnic drew near, and
Laura had concluded to make one of
the number, as Dr. Ferns bows had
peen invited; for in our annual picnic
We we're allowed to invite our friends.
haiph Fern was about twenty tive,
line specimen of young manhood. He
had been abroad for a year past. so he
was the lion of the occasion, Laura
Mayne vowed to win Ralph, and for a
time she seemed likely to succeed.
On the morning OF the picnic, he re-
4uested Laura to ride with him. She
could be very agreeable when so dis
posed. and this morning she was all
smiles as she took her place by his
side, and gave the res, of us triumphant
look AZ they rode away.
Later in the day, Ralph heard some
OF the girls telling how she treated our
new teacher, Grace Leigh. He had
= not been willing listener, but at the
mention of that name his ewes grew
bright with interest, and stepping to
Ny side. he said,-
here?" "
II think you will fad her yonder,
by that great rock"
He thanked me, and turned in the di.
rection indicated. He had hardly done
80 before Laura came up and said,-
Was Ralph looking for me?"
he was inquiring for Miss Leigh"
Her eyes snapped, and, shutting her
lips in hard, cruel way, she left me.
was determined to know what her
next move was to be, and / had not
long TO wait. Creeping stealthily
through the trees, she reached the
rock against which Ralph and Grace
sat. all unmindful of evil. had fol.
lowed, for was sure she meant harm
70 one OF the two. 1t was pretty pic.
fure that met my view. Ralph had