Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-03-14
The New Teacher.

Inc ounday-scnOol OF the tOurtn Con-
gregational church in the city Of N had
just finished the preliminary exercises. when
young man opened the door and slipped
in with that apologetio air a stranger un-
consciously assumes. Mr.. Plaisautin, the
superintendent, much troubled as to a GER
tain class of unruly boys, took his measure
from distance then remembering there
was no choice in the matter, came forward
and shook hands.
"My name ia Smith. / am from the
country. have always been interested in
Suudsy-school work, and felt so lonesome
that l wandered out to find q school. |
thought you would not object to my sitting
here through the session p
"Not at sll--not at all. Always de-
lighted to see visitors. But-would not
you help us2 l have class Of boys, now,
that -
Mr.. Plaisantin paused the silence was
expressive.
ITO tell you the truth, sir, like mission
work. This seems like wealthy school,
and u
"We have Just the clase for you. This
is wealthy school MIR. Plaisautin had
no idea how much he plumed himself on be-
ing its superintendent--" but We have one
class which should properly belong to mis-
sion school. 1t was gathered together by a
young man who is such an enthusiast as to
work among the lower classes, and, as he has
gone to college, assure you you could be Of
great use."
The young man looked in the direction
Of the class. Six boys were huddled to-
gether, whispering and laughing as if they
thought it fine thing to be without a
teacher. "I'll try it for few Sundays"
he said, and was at once conducted to his
chair of office.
Shiloh Sunday-school was, as Mr. Smith
had said, wealthy school. The minister
of the church was an earnest, faithful
preacher; the people under his preaching
did good work every society was well at
tended their offerings were large and fire.
quent their attendance on service, school
and lecture, faithful; but they were exclu-
sive. Not in an unchristian way, you under
stand. They never aired their superior po-
sition or attainments; they enjoyed ex-
cessively their pastors discourse on the
words: Z" We are all members one of an
other But they simply held aloof, and
knew nothing of "other kinds" of people.
Aud so it was that when Mr.. Paisantin
learned that the new Sunday teacher
was milkman, he never dreamed of intro
ducing him to the lady teachers. at would
not do" Whether the young man knew
that he was outside the pale or not no one
could tell. He was always in his place,
and, after the first Sunday, his scholars
were always on time. Young Livingston,
an enthusiastic teacher, who had class of
little girls, and was always full of new ideas
as to methods, was quite cordial to the new
teacher, for Mr.. Smith was pleasant lis
tener, and Livingston loved to talk. Every
week he had something new for his class or
for some particular member of it.
Hattie, my best pupil, is ill.," he would
say, lingering a moment with Mr.. Smith,
for Miss May, his particular fancy among
the lady teachers just then was at the Or
gan, and would not be at liberty for some
time. al took her some fruit last Thurs
day, and was delighted with the way she
talked. / really hope she will be ready to
join the church very soon. She is one Of
my most interesting scholars"
Miss May, coming down the aisle with
glove half on, stops q moment, and makes
an imperative little sign to young Mics
Livingston. For May, though brought up
among the exclusives, has something of q
democratic spirit withal, and is sure that
the new teacher is gentleman, though he
has not the square, sharpcut look that the
modern youth of the upper circles affect.
So an introduction follows, and May is MIR.
Smiths fri, nd from that afternoon, declar-
ing to the younger lady teachers that she
believes MIR. Smith is "as good as any
body" and Mr.. Plaisantin must be mistaken
about the milk-wagon.
"Or, If it is q milk-wagon," says gentle
Miss Waller, who often longs to be more
sympathetic" it is not worse than carpen-
ter's bench"
"Oh. Miss Waller, that was quite differ
ent You cannot mean-I really think that
irreverentp exclaims Mrs. Post, the bride
Of the season and Miss Waller is silenced,
II unconvinced.
Do not for q moment think that Mr..
Smith was snubbed. Mr. Plaisantin shook
hands cordially every Sunday. After u
few weeks he attended the teachers meet
ing, and his short but very practical re-
marks were listened TO courteously and
generally entered in the note books. He
came to the school-room to help in the
Christmas preparations, and, as they re-
membered with thankfulness later, the
Christmas warmth had 30 penetrated these
fashionable hearts that several laughed aud
chstted with "Mr. Smith," and all found
him remarkably useful in putting up deco
rations.
"Oh, I'm used to it," he said, when com.
plimented on his skill. "I've done this for
years" And none but Mary Hastings
noted the wave Of memory that swept over
and saddened the earnest manly features.
They were quite forgetting that Mr.. Smith
was not one of themselves, and were being
exceedingly cordial. Mrs. Post was Just on
the point of asking for his address to send
him her card for New Years, when the
young man happened to catch sight of the
lime. and exclaimed:
"Oh, must go at once You sec have
TO get up before four"
How constrained the good-byes were
Mrs. Post drew a sigh Of relief at her mar
row escape. Even May felt vexed and
ashamed of her friend. just as he was
"gettiDg in he might have held his
tongue But the young man went off ap-
parently Indifferent TO the subtle change in
their manner.
Two Sundays after Christmas Mr. Smiths
place was vacant. Mr.. Plaisantin was per-
plexed-that was such difficult class TO
supply. Really the young man ought
Please, sir, can you get the minister TO
come around to our house He's very sick
indeed, sir, mother says" and the girl burst
into tears.
One or two questions elected the facts
that Mr.. Smith had been III for three days
with pneumonia and that he was at the
point Of death. A messenger was sent at
once for the pastor, while Mr.. Plaissntin,
filled with remorse for his impatient though
OF the faithful young teacher, followed the
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