The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-02

was fifty-four. Indeed, she let the mis-
take go so long that every little hand
belonging to the second primary class
was stretched up in frenzy Of excite
ment. LET me see; what Go 1T have
done the past week? switched Bob
bic Baker pretty smartly, to be sure
and kept Sam Woodruff after school
and l kept Marion F.sG IA from re-
cess for whispering; but must keep
order. Well, dear me, have Tied to
do my duty, and won't worry; and
Miss Wait resolutely went back to
''seven times nine, and so proceeded
in the usual routine. Du4 SIC ate 30
dinner that noon, and l,al decided
headache as she crossed Tie lig bridge
over the mill-stream and over the hill
to the mill-owner's residence.
81 shall not back down in anything
where my clear duty and se,f-respect
are involved" thought she. 81 have
set up certain ideal as to what
teacher of these little common schools
ought to be, and will, God and my
mind, good courage and health not for
saking me, bring myself as near to it as
possible. Moreover, will not consid-
er, in the premises, whether the schol-
ars are children of the rich or learned,
or of the poor or ignorant For the
time being God has placed in my care
ragged, dirty little wretches of facto-
ry village, as well as clean, well-dress-
ed, attractive children.
Good evening, good evening,
ma am" said "Old Sam" Whittier, in
his gruff way, meeting the teacher at
the door. LAS | said in my note to
you, l heard to-day of some rather
uncommon proceedings on yoar part
l saw, ma am, little Tommy Howe in
a new pair of boots this morning Do
you know how he came by themP'
II bought them for him, Mr.. Whit
tier" wondering whether the local
magnate suspected the poor child of
stealing.
"Oh, you did. Are you in the habit
of furnishing your scholars with such
articles3 Was the providing of boots
a part of your business contract with
the committee If it was, | can put
you in the way of buying boots at
wholesale in Boston, where l get my
supply for my store"
at will not be necessary, SIR" re-
piled the teacher, with dignity II
thank you for your kind offer, how
ever"
"Why did you furnish boots in this
particular case, if l may inquirer
"The lad is very poor. His mother
has her hand, heart, and brain full
with the smaller children Tommy is
learning rapidly; | see marks of rare
intelligence in him. 1t would be a
pity to have him taken out of school at
this time when he is so much engaged.
Should he continue coming clad as he
was in such weather as this he would
be i'll soon. could not take the risk
in either case"
care you able to let your heart get
the better of You in this wayp"
81 have my wages only" replied the
young woman, still with dignity.
"Then you probably will have to re-
trench not little in your own ex-
penses.
IF | do it will harm no ones purse
or pride but my own. In this instance
it may be the matter of pair of Wpves
or an ostrich-tip with me. With him
the little act may make difference
that shall be lasting through time and
eternity"
You have been attending that school
over at South Hadley, hearP'
Yes, sir. "
Have you been through it, or grad
uated, as they call itp'
"Oh, no; | have attended but two
terms. But am fully determined to
complete the course
''Hum-all right. Miss Wait, you
seem to be doing some good work
among the children over the river
there, am going to think it all over;
but look here ii any more of those lit
tie rascals need boots, let me know.
shall consider it privilege to provide
them. You know | can get them at
wholesale--ha! hal and the now great
| " relieved teachers interview with the
mill-owner ended
If she goes on teaching on and of,
and then taking term on and off at
MOunJ uOlyOhe, SHe can graduate ZOE
years to come, ruminated "Old SAM
Whittier, as he watched her tripping
on over the hill; ''it's ridiculous.
And so it came to pass, when Miss
Wait was paid her meager salary at
the close of that term, she found in the
envelope containing the order on the
town treasurer a cheque with slip of
paper pinned to it, reading thus:
| This may be an uncommon proceeding,
but thought it over and nave come to the
| conclusion that you had better go right
| along in your studies at South Hadley I'm
| til you graduate. After that, with your
| pluck and principle, you will be able to
invest in boots or books, or in any other
way you see fit.
| Very truly yours
SAMUEL WHITTIER"
leave this true little sketch without
comment. 1t carries its own lesson,
both to struggling young teachers with
heart and brain, and to prosperous
men of affairs who may lend a helping