Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-08-06
HOW MISS JENKINS "GOT OUT OF
IT,

1t was "writing afternoon said
Miss Jenkins-and my scholars were
new. If you had ever been n teacher,
my dear, YOU would realize what the
combination of those two simple facts,
implies-the WEAKNESS of body and the
utter yeyation of spirit. First, there's,
the holding of the pen. If there one
thing more than another in which schol-
ars exhibit their own originality, it is
in managing a pen-holder. Then, the
ink TO some it was simply ink, moth
ing more. To others it seemed I'M ire
sisti5le tempter, whispering Of unique
designs, grotesque or otherwise, to be
worked out upon desk or jacket or per-
haps upon the back of one small hand.
Well, upon the afternoon of which |
am going to tell you, had had more
correcting to do than usual, for some of
the scholars were stupid and couldn't
do as wished; and others were care
less, and didn't try. What with the
looking, and STOPPING, and continual
showing, felt my patience giving way,
and when | saw that three OF the largest
boys had left the page upon which they
should have been practcing, and were
making "unknOwn characters" in diff.
ferent parts of their books, | lost it ut
terly. THAT l mil not have" said |,
sharply. II will punish any boy who
makes a mark upon any but the lesson
page"
They were very still for while,
Nothing was heard but the scratch,
scratching of the pens, and the sound
of my footsteps as | walked up and
down the aisles. Involuntarily, found
myself studying the hands before me as
if they had been faces. There was
Harry Sanford large and plump, but
ilabby, withal, and not over clean. His
"n's' stood weakly upon their legs,
seeming tofeel the need of other letters
to prop them up.
Walter Lanes, red and chapped
with short, stubbcd fingers, nails bitten
off to the quick, had yet certain air of
sturdy dignity; and his ms" if not
handsome, were certainly plain. and
looked as if they knew their place, and
meant 10 keep IL.
Tommy Silvers, long and limp, be-
smeared with ink from palm to nail,
vainly strove to keep tine with a tongue
which wagged, uncertainty, this way
and that, and which should have been
red, but was black, like the fingers.
His "n's" had neither form nor come
liness, and might have stood for "v's,"
or even "X's," quite as well.
Then there was Hugh Bright's hand,
hard and rough with work, holding the
pen as if it never meant TO let it 90; but
his ''D's' WGre ms and could not be
mistaken for anything else.
'">*At 21hgth came to Frank Dunbar
desk--dear little Frank, who had been
q real help and comfort to me since the
day when he bashfully knocked at my
door, with books and slate in hand Hi,
hand was white and shapely; fingers
spotless, nails Immaculate, and his
IN s'-but what was it that sent cold
chill over me as looked at them? All
my dear, if | should live thousand
years, could never tell you how fell
when | found that Frank Dunbar haC
written half q dozen lettersupon the op
posite page of his copy-book!
"Why, Frank" said ], chow die
that happenP"
II did it,
"You did it before spoke?" said |
clinging to a forlorn hope.
mo, m; | did it atterward. for
got"
"Oh, Frank my good, good boy
How could YOU? l shall have to punisl
you"
"Yes, ny s,the brave blue eve
looking calmly up into my face.
Very well; you may 90 tothe desk.
He went, and / walked the aisle
again-up and down, up and down, Civ
ing Caution here or q word of advice
there, but not knowing, in the least
what | was about My thoughts were
all with the flaxen.haired culprit, wht
stood bravely awaiting his penalty
Vainly strove to listen to my inward
monitor 1t seemed suddenly to hav,
become two-voiced-the one tantaliz
ing, the other soothing and, of course
the tones were conflicting.
"You must punish him." said one. :.
"You mustn't" said the other.
"He deserves it..
He doesn't"
He discbeyed you fatty
But he forgot and he has alway
been so good
But you promised. You have give
your word. Here are thirty boys I
whom you should be an example. ID
you think they are not watching you
Look at themr'
] did look at them. Walter Lane
sharp, black eyes AMI Harry Sanford
sleepy orbs were fixed curiously upo
me. Nor were these ALL GRAY eye:
blue eyes, hazel and brown eyes-a
were regarding me intently; ! almoS