Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-11-06

parents were quite willing they should
do so, and that the teacher gave her
unqualified consent. l say 1 suppose
this was SO, but I do not know. [ do
know, however, that the teacher on this
side was very unwilling her pupils
should visit the pond to swim while
they were under her charge at school,
and she said as much to the school.
The scholars received it well, all but
one boy, Horace. He Strengthened his
little form, twelve years old, in quite an
uncompromising attitude, and quite de-
family answered the teacher that his
mother had given him permission to go,
although he did not quite dare assert
himself sufficiently to add, land he
should" his look and manner bespoke
it. Horace was a good deal Of boy.
and genuine manly boy, as the sequel
will grove. "
To- this stout assertion the teacher
only said he could not go unless he
brought a written message from his
mother to the effect that she would take
all responsibility of accidentsshould any
occur. But the little fellow grew
resolute. He wanted to go. His clinched
fist and red face said he would GO. az /
Very little his teacher. said. She
knew a battle was in swift progress,
The forces were there, ,marshaled in
battle array The fists Of little Horace
were tighter clinched, his round face
grew redder yet, and longing his eyes
wandered to the inviting water, where
already the merry shouts OF the boys
from the other school could be heard.
His teacher was watching delose;
where would the victory Gomez Pres
emily tears were seen rolling from the
boys eyes, and the hands relaxed their
hold ON anger. Not word had been
spoken, but Horace glanced now at the
teacher, and as her eyes met his he
smiled. All, he had won the victory
that time, and in short space of time
his merry voice was heard in shouts of
play, of laughter. Yea, verify, greater
is he that ruleth his own spirit, than he
that taketh city. - as
But this is not quite the end of
Horace's doing that day. His mother
was widow, and lived in a small,
cottage at the end of the lane. think
it was her custom to make quite a con-
fident of Horace, talking over matters
freely with him. Some parents take
a different course with their chill
dren, but this was Mrs. Denver's
way, so when the events, general and
particular, of this day came up for dis
cussion, he gave his mother an account
of the swimming expedition which he
did not take. Horace, although but
twelve years of age, as stated, was
nevertheless the Oldest pupil by two
years in the school, and being bright,
amiable lad, was quite admired and
s. looked up to by the younger
scholars s "a
The next morning, when the teacher
called the pupils together, Horace
placed a note in her hand. She had not
a thought but that it was Mrs. Denver s
written consent for Horace to join the
daily swimmers acr IS the pond. With
scarcely thought she ran her eye. down
the page, and in less than ten seconds
found herself glancing or looking
steadily at the joyous, beaming face of
Horace. The note ran on. this wise:
az have talked the matter over with
Horace. and he has decided" (not soe
you notice, but he has decidedly '.since he
is the Oldest pupil in school, he ought to
set good example in this matter of
going to the water, and although have
given my consent for him to go, he i
knows you do not think it best for the
younger ones to do so, therefore he will
not ask to go again, or give further
trouble in the matter"
Not word did the teacher say, none
were needed. Horace understood, the
teacher understood. From that hour
his influence was felt stronger, more
forceful than ever before, and yet not
single pupil ever knew the contents of
that little note that rested so quietly for.
weeks in the teachers pocket. Vi
That act of Horace Denver will never
pass from the teachers memory. The
pupils of that school will never forget