The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-04-08
TOM JONES'!
Or, The New SchOOlma'am.

sThe schoolma'am's coming the
schoolma'am's coming Z shouted a daz-
en- voices at the close of a half hours
faithful watch to catch glimpse OF
our new teacher. Every eye was
turned towards her with scrutinizing
glance, for the children, as well as
others, always form an opinion of a
person, particularly of their teacher, at
first sight.
How tai! she ISL exclaimed one.
sHo, l amt afraid Of her, nor . doz
en- like her, cried the big boy of the
school. iIe -
Nor I eitfer,' cried the boys little
ally, Il could lick her easy enough /;
couldn't you, Tom?'
Yes, and 1 will, too, if she goes to
touch me-
Hush 7 cried one of the girls, she
will hear you.'
By this time she had nearly reached
the door, round which we clustered,
and every eye was fixed upon her face
with an eager yet bashful gaze, uncer.
tain, as yet, what verdict to pass upon
her.
Good morning, my children she
said, in the kindest voice in the world
while her face was lighted with the
sweetest smile imaginable. 'This is
beautiful morning to commence school
is it not2'
Il know 1 shall love her, whispered
a little pet in my ear.
We all followed her into the school
room, except Tom Jones and his ally,
who watched until the rest were seated
and then came in with a staggering,
noisy gait, and sort of daredevil,
saucy look, as much as to say, 'who
cares for you?'
Miss Wescott looked at them kindly
but appeared not to notice them fur
ther. After short prayer and read.
ing chapter in the Bible, she passed
round the room and made some inqui.
ry of each one in regard to themselves
and studies.
And what is your name p she asked
laying her hand on Toms head, while
be sat with his hands in his pockets,
swinging b is body forward and back
ward.
tom JONES' shouted he, at the top
of his voice.
How old are you, Thomas?' she
asked.
sJust as old again as half answered
Tom, with saucy laugh.
What do you study, Thomas?
Nothing
sWhat books have your
None
Without appearing to be at all dis
turbed by his replies, Miss Westcott
said, l am glad that am to have one
Or two large boys in my school; you
can be of great assistance to me. If
you will stop few moments after
school, we will talk over little plan
[ have formed
This was mystery to all, and par
Iicularly to Tom, who could not COM
preheud how he could be useful to any
body, and for the first time in his life
he felt as if he was of some importance
in the world. He had always been
called bad boy at school, and he
look sort of pride in being feared by
the children and dreaded by the teach
er.
Miss Westcott at once comprehend
ed his whole character, and began to
shape her plans accordingly. She
that boy who, at II years
of age, made himself feared among his
was capable of being
made something of. Heretofore all
influences bad conspired to make him
= bad, and perhaps desperate charac-
ter she was determined to transfer m
his character by bringing opposite in.
fluences to work upon him; and to
effect this sine must first gain his con-
fidence, which could not be done in
better way than by letting him feel
that she placed confidence in him.
When school was out more than
half the scholars fingered about the
door, wondering what Miss Westcott
had to say to Tom Jones. He had often
been bidden to remain after school, but
it was always to receive punishment
or severe lecture, and nine times out
of ten he would Jump out of the win
dow before half the scholars were out
of the room; but it was evidently for
q different purpose that he was to re-
main now, and no one wondered what
it could be more than Tom Jones.
Don't you think, Thomas, that our
school-room would be q geod deal
pleasanter if we had some eyergreens
to hang around it, something to make
it cheerful p inquired Miss Westcott.