Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-04-11
The New SchOOlma'am.

OH fOtCCo ~ GnO OAOoO VI q AdIl AVul .
faithful watch to catch glimpse of our
new teacher. Every eye was turned to
her with the most scrutinizing glance
for the children, as well as others, al
ways form an opinion of person par
ticularly of their teacher, at first sight.
"How tall she is p exclaimed one.
ooh, l amt afraid of her, nor doz-
en- like her !" cried the big bog of the
school.
"Nor l either" cried the big boys
little ally. 81 could lick her easy
enough, couldn't you, Tom ?'
Eyes, and [ will. too, if she goes to
touch me"
"Hush !'' cried one of the little 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, uncertain as
yet what verdict to pass upon her.
"Good morning, children" she said,
in the kindest voice in the world, while
her face was lighted by the sweetest
smile imaginable. This is beautiful
morning to begin school, is 1t not ?''
81 know | 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 staggering
noisy gait, and sort of daredevil sau-
cy look, as much as to say, "Who cares
for you"
Miss Westcott looked at them kind
ly, but appeared not to notice them fur
ther. After short prayer and reading
a chapter in the Bible, she passed round
the room and made some inquiry of each
one in regard to themselves and their
studies.
"And what is your name," she ask
ed, laying her hand upon Toms head,
while he sat with his hands in his pock-
cts, swinging his body forward and
backwards.
"Tom Jones - shouted he, at the top
of his voice.
"How old are you, Thomas ?'' she
then inquired.
'Just as old again as half" answer
ed Tom. with saucy laugh.
"Do you study, Thomas?"
Nothing"
"What books have you ?''
"None."
Without appearing to be at all dis
turbed by his replies, Miss Westcott
said: Il am glad that am to have one
or two large boys in my school; you
can be of great assistance to me. Thomas
if you will stop few moment after
school this afternoon we will talk over
little plan | have formed"
This was a mystery to all, and par
ticularly to Tom. who could not COM
prehend 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 call
ed the "bad boy at school, and he
took sort of pride in being feared by
the children and dreaded by the teacher
Miss Westcott at once comprehended
his whole character, and began to shape
her plans accordingly. She maintained
that a boy, who at twelve years of age
made himself feared among the schoo
fellows was capable of being made some
thing of. Heretofore all influences had
conspired to make him bad, and perhaps
desperate character she was deter
mined to transform his character BY
bringing opposite influences to worl
upon him; and to effect this, she mus
first gain his confidence, which coulc
not be done in better way than let
ting him feel that she placed confidence
in him.
When the school was out more thar
half the scholars fingered about tn,
door, wondering what Miss Westcot
had to say to Tom Jones. He had of
ten been hidden to remain after school
but it was always to receive punishment
or severe lecture, and nine times ou
of ten he would jump out of the window
before half of the scholars were out o.
the room but it was evidently for &
different purpose that he was to remair
now, and no one wondered what it coule
be more than Tom Jones.
Don't you think. Thomas, that oul
school-room would be a great deal pleas
anter if we had some evergreens to haDs
about it; something to make it cheer
full 2" asked Miss Westcott.
"Yes'm, and know where l can ge
plenty of them"
"Well, Thomas, if you will have som,
here by o'clock tomorrow morning,
will be here to help you put them up
and we will give the children pleas
ant surprise. Here are some books
will give you, Thomas. you may pu
them in your drawer; they are what
want you to study"
But | can't study geography AM