Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-02-12
The Blue Wart.

Young Mulkittle went to school for the
first time the other day. He had been car
ried through a ''course of sprouts" at home
to prepare him for the heavier duties OF
school life, and his examination had been
so satisfactory that Mrs. Mulkittle congrat-
ulated herself on her skill as teacher. 1t
was decided that he should attend a private
school, taught by pious maiden lady with
angular shape and blue wart on he1
nose.
CHOW, Miss Ray" said Mrs. Mulkittle,
when she presented the boy to the teacher,
81 want you to make him mind you. i
don't think that you will find him self.
willed. He is easily governed by kind
treatment, and l think that he will become
very much attached to you. l feel that you
will learn to love him."
ooh, l am quite sure" replied Miss Ray,
who had been much more successful III hel
love affairs with children than with men.
GAIL of my scholars love me. Don't throw
paper wads, Tommy Peters. They all soon
learn that though I am gentle l will be
obeyed Johnny Ames, don't rake the wal
| with that nail"
"Wel. I will leave him with you, Miss
Ray. Willie, be good boy"
"Yessum."
ssDon't let me hear any bad reports Of
YOU"
"Nome.'
"Come here, my little man, and let me
see how far you are advanced" said Miss
Ray. when Mrs. Mulkittle had gone.
ssI'm way past Baker an Shady. an
Lady," said the boy, when Miss Ray open
ed a spelling book. 81 can read and write
easy words,' and looking up, he caught
sight of the blue wart. Now, any Other
kind of wart might have been overlooked
or excused without investigation. but blue
wart was something new to the boy, ane
!, could not be dismissed.
"What's that on your nose 2"
"You can read some. can you % asked
!, Miss Ray, pretending not to have heard ths
} boys question.
ayes, some. What's that on you
nose?"
+ A litter went around the room. and Mis-
Ray, turning to young Mnlkittle, said rath
er sharp:
5 '.It's wart. Now, pay attention t.
me-"
= "You know it's blue, don't You ?''
Eyes"
"Thought you didn't know ?'
, ''Hush, now, aud let me see how far yo'
4 have gone "
Does it hurt ?"
"No.n
"Why don't you pick it?'
, "Hush, now. Children, keep quiet. Yo1
, are enough to dive body Wild
3 "Don't you wish it wasn't there? ?"
mo. Now, look here -
! ''I'm lookup there. Why don't you puI
5 that hair out of it ? No, it amt a hair
? Thought it was"
The lady became embarrassed and the
/. angry under the boys scrutiny.
, ''If you don't stop asking So many foolisl
| questions I'll send you home"
j But I want to know whatI want to know
just as much as | want to know what yo1
want me to know"
Y "Well, now, what do you want to know
, I'll satisfy you if it is in my power
t How long has the wart been there ?''
$ Ever since | can remember," rep,ie'
4 Miss Riy, settling herself back with calr
consideration.
! "Has it been blue all the time p
eyes
e "Will it always be blue ?''
;. 81 think 500
. "Did you ever try to take it off p
= ono"
why haven't you ?''
d because L haven't.'
''Why because you haven't?"
81 don't know"
y "Why ?''
e "You are enough to run aperson crazy.
:. "It keeps You from getting married
= don't it? Cause nobody would want
l ''You leave here this minute, You. good
g fcr-nothing little rascal. Go on and don
y you come back again. '-Aykansaec Trare
d ier.