The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-08-11
zIOW MISS JENKINS s'GOTOUTOFIT."

Mary c. Bartlett, in s.. Nicholas for August
1t was writing afternoon Miss
Jenkins,-and my scholars were new. If
you had ever been teacher, my dear, you
would realize what the combinations of
those two simple facts implies-the weari-
ness of body and the utter vexaticn of
spirit. First, there's the holding of the pen.
If there's one thing more than another in
which scholars exhibit their own originality,
it is in managing pen holder. Then, the
ink. To some it was simply ink, nothing
more. To others it seemed an Irresistible
tempter, whispering of unique designs,
grotesque or otherwise, to be worked out
upon desk Of jacket or perhaps upon the
back of che small hand.
Well, upon the afternoon of which I am
gong t. tell you, had more correcting to
do than usual, for some of the scholars
we-o stupid, and couldn't do as I wished;
and others were careless, and didn't try
What with the looking. and stopping, and
continual showing, I felt my patience giving
way, and when I saw that three Of the
largest boys had left the page upon which
they should have been practicing, and were
making unknown characters" in different
parts of their books, I lost 1t utterly.
"That ,ri,l not have" said I, sharply. IL
will punish any boy who makes mArk up
on any but the lesson page
They were very still for while. Moth
ing was heard but the scratch, scratching
of the pens, and sound of my footsteps as
walked up and down the aisles. Inyolun-
tarily, found myself studying hands be-
fore me as if they had been faces. There
was Harry Sandford's, large and plump
but tlabby withal, and not over clean. His
ms" stood weakly upon their legs, SEEM
ing to feel the need Of other letters to prop
them up.
Walter Lanes, red and chapped, with
short, STUDDED fingers, nails bitten off to
the quick, had yet certain air of sturdy
were certainly plain, and looked as if they
had known their place, and meant to keep
it.
Tommy Silver's, long and limb, besmear-
ed with ink from palm to nail, vainly strove
to keep time with tongue which wagged,
uncertainty, this way and that. and which
should have been red, but was black, like
the fingers. His MS had neither form
nor comilness, and might have stood for
<'y's," or even Tvs, quite as well.
Then Hugh Bright's hand, hard and
rough with work, holding the pen as if
it meant to never let it 60; but his ms
erere ms, F." and could not be mistaken
for anything else.
AZ AcuHtA CdMo ~ Du1DHT b ueHk
dear little Frank, who had been a real
help and comfort to me since the day when
he bashfully knocked at my door, with
books and slate in hand. His hand was
white and shapely; fingers spotless, nails
immaculate, and his MS but what was
it that sent a cold chill over me rs looked
at them? All, my dear. if should live
thousand years, could never forget how
I felt when found that Frank Dunbar had
written half dozen letters upon the oppo.
site page of his copy book!
""hy: Frank. said I, "how did that
h'pPen?"
''You did it before I spoke?" said
clinging to forlorn hope.
IN m; 1 did it afterward. forgot"
could you? I shall have to punish you"
Yes, 'm,"-the brave blue eyes looking
calmly up into my face.
Very well; you may 60 to my desk"
He went, and walked the aisles again,
mp and down, up and down, giving
caution here or word of advice there,
but not KNOWN 2, in the least what I was
about. My thoughts were all with the
faxen- haired culprit, who stood bravcly
awaiting his penalty. Vainly 1 strove to
listen to my inward monitor. It seemed
suddenly 70 have become two voiced, Lone
tantalizing. the othe4 soothing,-and, of
course, the tones were conflicting.
You must punish him." said one.
"You mustn't t." said the other.
He deserves it,"
He doesn't"
He disobeyed you fatty"
But he forgot-and he has always been
So good"
"But you promised. You have given
your. word. Here are thirty boys to whom
you should be an example. Do you think
they are not watching you? Look at them!
did look at them. Walter Lanes sharp
black eyes and Harry Sanford sleepy orbs
were fixed curiously upon me. Nor were
these all. Gray eyes, hazel and brown
eyes-all were regarding me intently;
almost fancied that they looked at me pity
ingly. I could not bear it.
Attend to your writing boys" Then /
walked slowly up to the desk.
'You see how it is, ," said the trouble
some voice. You will certainly have to
punish him."
But had thought Of a possible plan of
escape. Frank" said I, you have been
disohedient. and-you know what l said,
but-you are such good boy that cannot
bean to punish you-not in that way, l
mean. You may go to the foot of your
class, instead"
I'D rather take the whipping" The
honest, upturned face was very sober, but
betrayed not the least sign of fear, nor was
there the slightest suspicion of q tremble
in the clear. childish voice.
BLESS your brave little heart, thought.
"Of course you would! might have known
down, thinking, thinking.
You will have to do it," repeated the
voice. There is no other way"
Il can not,-oh. Il can't, groaned, half
aloud.
The good of the school requires it. You
must sacrifice your own feeling and his"
1Sacriice his feeling? Loyal little soul!
good as gold. and tue as steel"
mo matter, you mast do it,"