Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-07-18
Speaking too Soon.

immense bee booming among the
lllacs and peonies in the school garden,
an intense glow of golden light on the
grass, and dreamy languor in the air
that made Alice Hopkins sleepy in
spite Of herself, as she sat with the
little children's copy-books in pile
before her, inscribing the month IS
marks upon their covers, according to
their respective merits.
Alice was scarcely more than child
herself. Barely nineteea, with slight, ,
young figure, a color that came and
went at the slightest variation of her
pulse, and pleading hazel eyes, it was
the hardest work in the world 10 as
sumo the dignity that was necessary
for her position as assistant teacher.
4 never saw such babylshness in my
life y said Miss Negley, the principal;
'and I shall not put up with it, MISS
Hopkins - don't you think it! Dignity,
in the educational line, is everything.
And l do not call it fitting TO the posi-
ton of assistant principal to be racing
around with the children in their noon
day games, and dressing corn-cob
doll on The sly for little Priscilla Jones
10 say nothing about bursting out cry
ing like a great baby, when Billy Smith
killed the robln.r .redbreast with stone.
Dignity. Miss Hopklns-dignity should
ever be tie watchwofd Of our profess
ion.'
Miss Negley was tall and grim, Will
heavy black hair, a sallow complexion
several missing front teeth, and some
thing very Ike a moustache.
Alice Hopkins covered before he
severe glance.
Pm very sorry!' ial!ered she. 'Pl
Try 10 be good!
More like a child than ever ! SAT-
Miss Negley, despairiugly.
IL mean,' Alice FASTENED TO cor
rect herself-I will endeavor to set
guard upon my rash impulses
That sounds more like it !! said Mis-
Negley. And now, Alice, see here !
exrect some of The school trustees her
tomorrow
'Ob, dear y said Alice, remembering
the signal failure of her class upon
similar occasion, not so very long age
ut isn't another examination, l hope!
Worse than that said Miss Negle
far worsep
Alice lifted Ler hazel eyes in amaze
ment. What could possibly be wor
than Fanny Dow spelling cat with k
and Lucy Malley asserting that Bait
more was situated on the lett bank
The river Nile.
There is a proposition on foot 10 re
duce our salaries said Miss Negl eJ
Actually, to reduce our salaries ?
OH said Alice. But mine is yer
small already. Only one hundred do
lars a year. don't think they can RI
duce 1t much
They can reduce it 10 fifty, can
they?' said Miss Negley, shortly.
In that case,' ventured Alice,
could 90 and be shop girl in m
upcle's store in the city. One mu
Ilive!'
| you've no proper pride said Mi
Negley. "A shop girl indeed But
don't intend that they shall carry OF
their nefarious plans. If My goo
gracious me! there comes Mr.. Ba
thorne now jogging along on bis o.
gray horse just as composed as ii h
wasn't bent on an errand OF evil. Th'
do say that old Barthorne is the he'
and front of the whole business. L
| show him A reduction of salaries, !
| deed T! dare say he means to wheed
consent out of US beforehand, so th
everything shall seem smooth t0-mo
row when the committee meets. 81
he'll fnd that he has mistaken
customer this time y
Little Alice began TO tremble
. over, and 10 grow PINK and white
turns, after her usual fashion when 8
!. . was disturbed.
IL am 80 frightened ! hesital
d she. please may | go home 2
! yes, you little coward impaien
n responded Miss Negley; that IL, II
,e haven't the courage to stand up
yourself and your rights
sBuI Mr.. Darthorne has always be