Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-04-19
HOW PERCY WON.


Ting-a-ling-ling goes the school bell, and
bat and ball are tossed in their respective
places, the bat on the ground and the ball
IN Carnahan's pocket, and with awhOop and
+ Jostle the rosy, painting crowd make their
way into the small schoolhouse of Maple
Grove-that is, all with one exception :;
naughty Percy Smith remained out in the
yard, seated on stone of rather large
dimensions, whistling and whiting a stick,
his bright black eyes glowing in sullen
anger.
Charles Clarke, 60 and tell Percy that
say for him to come in at once"
Belle Garland issues this order calmly and
in firm tones, but her cheeks flame and her
timid heart futters in spite of all her efforts
to appear calm for she realizes the struggle
before her, the struggle that began some
time back and now promises to reach eli
max
The grinning urchin returns in a few min
utes and reports to Miss Belle:
He says he don't have to-"
Very well; we shall see. He must obey
me or leave the school," And then the after
noon work begins.
By and by Percy deigns to come in, and
walks pompously to his seat, takes it with a
rude thump and throws mocking, defiant
glance upon his comrades; for Percy is the
'Squire's son and the bully of the school,
Percy" says his teacher quietly but firm
ly, you cannot come here and disobey me,
either take your books and 60 home, or
quietly submit to my orders"
But Percy remains stubbornly in his seat,
strumming lightly on the desk with his fin
gers, his cool, daring, handsome eyes regard
ing her in contemptuOus amusement.
nrryJ,,r~ al o.
to deal with her incorrgible pupil, as soon
as school is dismissed she turns her steps in
the direction of Squire Smith, who is one OF
the directors, and the one who insisted on his
own way.
Percy came by his domineerng spirit
honestly" Miss Garland thinks, as she
walks slowly and sadly on her disagreeable
errand
But Percy had reached home in advance,
and the Squire is not in the most accommo-
dating of moods when she is announced
Keep my boy out of school? No, ma'am
No, indeed We hire you to teach our
school, and we expect you to govern it ALSO
If you are not capapble, better resign. We
can get another teacher easy enough" brus-
quely, heartlessly.
"But how can control such large boys as
Percy, when they set their heads in defiance
of my rules? How can l. without the as
sistance Of the directors, to see that my rules
are inforced?'
II amt teachin,' and don't want to be
bothered about it. think you'd better give
it up; you're too young, and not calculated
to deal with ou1 boys, it appears"
Not alone-no, sir. But you will please
sign me receipt for the money due me-"
Out into the dark, dreary twilight she
passes, dull pain at her heart, and indig-
nant tears in her eyes from the cruel treat
ment she had received.
Somebody opens the gate for her; it is
Percy himself, and looking him full in the
eyes, she exclaims impetuously:
Il suppose you are satisfied now, You
have won Will the knowledge of my defeat
make you any happier and the thought of
the little sister and widowed mother, who
have only Understanding her receipt
between them and want, make your sleep
sounder and sweeter?" And she is gone
With shame-faced, hanging head Percy
remains beside the open gate moment,
quite motionless; this is different view
from his first idea of getting the teacher
turned off.
Poor little girl 1t is too bad have
acted like coward-but did't think I
ought to have thought, for I'm the oldest
by two months only l was never poor. /
don't see what can be done now"
Pondering long and deeply, sudden
light irradiates his countenance and he
hurries into the house, and donning warm
suit, he harnesses his fathers fastest horse to
the buggy and drives swiftly away.
The rain beats in binding sheets on the
window panes of Window Garland's tiny
cottage, and Belle, sitting by the small fire,
clasps her hands in her lap despairingly.
Her mother raises her sad, quiet eyes an
instant, and says:
Better keep on with our sewing; even
at eight cents apiece, it is better than starva-
tion."
''Yes, but it makes my side ache to sew so
steadily. Oh, mother, l cannot forget that
mans injustice!'
A knock at the door. 1t is only the post
man with letter, which Belle takes in sur
prise, noticing the strange chirography.
Why, what is this? Why, mother, it's
an offer from Prof Strong of a position in his
school, and the salary is 5000. Oh, mother,
am I dreaming?"
It was no dream, and Belle Garland is q
year in her pleasant position ere she learns
whose influence obtained for her the situa-
ton.
"None other than your naughty old pupil,
Percy Smith," explains Prof Strong smil-
ing at her astonished face. He is my
nephew, and plead your cause so nobly
that I could but give you trial, and am
more than satisfied. Percy is now in -
College, making fine progress, and thor
oughly ashamed of his wicked, mischevous
tricks"
Three years later fine looking dark eyed
young man calls upon Belle and humbly asks
her forgiveness.
Il forgave you long ago." she says, with
bright blush, for it is hard to reconcile this
handsome, courteous stranger with her old
pupil; "and though l suffered at first, my
reward was great"
II not only want forgiveness little
later he pleads, "but something warmer l
think that loved you first, but never fully
realized it until you rendered me so ashamed
Of myself by those few indignant words at
The gate. have beautiful home, good
opening in my profession, and if you could
ike me little, Belle, you will make me
very happy"
Il thought so," he said with sly twinkle
in his eye. II am no bad fortune teller, and
read the signs excellently. But may you be
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