The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-04-19
WEED AND wINDIN' BLADES

Young Henry Hay!oid experienced much difficulty in finding, in his sosne what contracted sphere of operation, a vocation which would yield pleasurable, not 10 say remunera,ive return. One day, after having experilncnted with quite a number of |" callings,n including mild ai;emp, in the pulpit, he heard that A school teacher was greatly needed in a ar removed district, known as Planter Walk lie had begun the study of vet erinary surgery, bu, not being very much taken with the profession, he decided to go at once to " ianter Walk" and begin the much needed course of instruction. Arriving, he found small log school house sparsely supplied with benches. The farmers whom he consulted, agreed that school was the very thing they needed. but that no one could expect much " of showin' till airter the crops was lad by This was certainly dis couraging, but as young Hayloid had nothing else in view, he decided to re- opened, only two scholars made their appearance, the family property of old Jn socklaster. One was gangling |" boy, whose awkward iofm and reckless ness 0. gAi;. had woa the appcllation of Windin h,ades." Tie gn., tal. and with a disposition to romp, was rather goo,i-laasinE and wore around Ter light hair blue ribbon silSen streak Q. oiyi- li1aiion.
 And what $ your nai"c 7" asked the teaoaer.
 They call me Weed, sir she said.
 Why lid shey give yeu such auame v
 "'Cause she growed so ils,, 'interposed Windin' Blades.
 AS no other pupils came, Hayloid de- cided to go ahead regardless of numbers. IL was with some troGble tha, the two students ooa!d be classified Windn' Blades had only one book, 2 tattered copy of Paradise Lest" of which he could not read line, and Weed had brough, ] work treating of agriculture among the ancient Egyptians
 Where did you get these books !' asked the teacher.
 " A tramp give 'em to us for 8 Jug of bu,,ermik,' replied Windin' Blades.
 Can your father read ''
 lie can read !i,,lc books, hu, he can't read one as big as this"
 Your mother can doubtless tead," turning 10 he girl.
 She can, read now, but she us,er could"
 !" Why can, she read now =
 Because ,he book she learned to read ]. dHa lost. There comes p.p.n
 Old nan Sook!as,er en,sred, nodded and said
 Mcri.n' to you, mornin'. sir Go, sort O q slim prospeek'
 Yes, ;he children don, seem 10 be coming very rapidly"
 Old Socklas,er was not disappointed at the " sim prospeck." In fact, te was rather pleased 10 note wha, encourage ment, above his neighbors, he was cx- tending to the cause of education.
 !" l reckin' you're goin' to go right on with the undertakin les' the same IS if you had whole passel O scholars P
 "les," replied Hayloid. "l came here 10 teach and so long IS can secure the attendance of single pupil. shall con- tinue to make my bes, efforts in behalf of learning"
 "Glad to know ii. You're the only ngh, sort O teacher we've had in this community for some time
 By the way. Mir. Soeklas,er. these books with which your children have been provided are by no means appropriase.'
 " What's the matter with 'em 7
 One treats of agriculture several thousand years ago, telling of wooden blows and OK thrashins machines; the other is book which only advanced stu dents can read and understand
 Wall, the fellcr we go, them from said they was good books, and he's . older man than you are. Better let 'em worry along with them books awhile, an airter they've dun learnt all there is in 'cm, wy then I'll gi, ssme better ones. Good day. Wush you mighty well with your under,akin'."
 Fortunately, Hayloid had hrouga, CIV books for beginners. He had no trouble in effecsing an exch ange, for the bright pictares settled a. once the ques- tion as 10 their worth. Winiin' Blades