The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-06-02
THE SCHOOL FLIRT.
The Path She Trod to Become a
Woman.

The Path She Trod to Become q
Woman.
A name suitable alike for millionaire or
a pauper, so when that nondescript, q
schoolmaster, gave it to the trustees, it ex-
cited no remark, and they merely handed
him the key with the directions:
You board this week at Jasper Sparks
the brown house just at the corner.
reckon you can find it. And one word about
the scholars; you needn't be afraid OF usin'
the rod. l reckon even with that you'll
find them a hard lot to manage. Good
mornin', SIR"
Mr.. Brown acknowledged both the direc-
tions and advice with bow, and taking the
key, he walked to the little scbool-hous in
the woods, of which he was that morning to
take possession. There he found a motley
collection of humanity, varying from lit
on the verge of manhood, and girls just
budding into womanhood. They stood
gathered in little knots, looking at him
with shy curiosity, till his pleasant "Good
morning brought smile of welcome to
every face, and teacher and pupils felt
that the awkwardness of introduction was
happily over.
The rusty key grated in the lock. The
door opened, and Mr.. Brown entered the
SCHOOL, house. 1t was dreary, cheerless
room, but he expected nothing better, and
with half sad smile he arranged his
books, pens and the things in his own desk,
and then rang the great dingy bell to ''call
school," In came the troop pell- nell. each
trying to excel the other in noise, till an
order from the teacher brought all to 81
city as drilled soldiers. Then came the
trying work of examining and chasing,
encouraging the bashful ones, and checking
the forward, till at last all was finished
each child had its task; the dull, droning
sound of whispered study filed the room,
and the teacher leaned back on his stool of
state, to rest his tired brain, and await the
next development.
1t came sooner than he expected In a
few moments the door opened. and a young
girl entered; young girl, 80 near the verge
of womanhood that one could scarcely con
meet her with the strap of books and the
lunch box that she carried. Every eye left
its book, and Mr.. Brown himself looked in
astonishment but without noticing either
master or pupils, she walked to the back
jacket, and took her seat with the big girls,
as demurely unconscious as if she were the
sole occupant of the room. Mr.. Browns
brow flushed with annoyance, for he read
in those downcast lids as plainly as if
written in foot-long letters over her head:
disobey and torment the teacher, and finally
ends her triumph by trampling on his heart,
as she does his rules" He was annoyed
but it was only for a moment, when he
mentally said; Well, her vocation is use
less here, and she will soon tire of her fruit
less task" and then, in voice sterner than
he had used before, he asked
"Your name, Miss"
silly Elmer" in a mild little voice.
He entered it on the roll, aud then con-
tinued:
''Miss Lily, be so good as to remember
that school begins punctually at nine
O'Clock, and every five minutes after that
gives demerit to the delinquent. Now I
will look at your books and see where to
class you.
Lily took her books and walked to the
desk. The blue eyes were fixed on the
floor, and the dusky lashes swept her cheeks,
but the little twitches at the corners of her
mouth BODIED more trouble for the master
than open defiance. But he noticed moth
ing, and put her through the questions as
marked her lesson, and then said:
That will do, Miss Lily. You may 60 to
your seat"
Lily dropped a sweeping courtesy, that
brought a litter from the school, but not q
ripple on his own face, and obeyed, men,
very black hair dark grey eyes and
pale, regular face, concedfng him to
be very handsome, and resolving to
have him at her feet within a month.
The day passed BY, and after it another
and another. To the amazement Of the
day, and had continued to do so, behaving
altogether in such an exemplary manner
that the school was astOnished, and Mr..
Brown began to tell himself that his fears
and conclusions were groundless.
The month passed, and not once during
HPnwn nRarQd V.i1 - N
attention beyond the other scholars. Her
patience began to fail h was the first
defeat the lady had ever met, and she
fretted under it sadly; besides, she felt
that the whole school was laughing, at
her, and that they had good cause; What
wouldn't give up yet Wait till his week
to board at her house came; IL she didn't
break down that dignity, then might she
be an old maid forever. These we're the
as she trudged home on . bleak
December afternoon. As may be be-
lieved, she didn't feel amiable. and her
humor wasn't improved when she heard
footsteps behind her, and, on looking back,
saw Amelia Edwards running after her.
other, having been rivals in several firta.
tions. Lily's disgust at seeing her can be
imagined. She would have hurried on
again. but Amelia called
~, LII, walt. I've been trying to catch
yOu.for the last ten minutes. II Is so stupid
walking alone. Don't you think soi'
This was q spiteful fling at the days when
the teacher carried Lily's books home for
her. She took it, and replied with spirit:
ut isn't half SO bad as disagreeable com
pany." -.a ~
10, isn't it," retorted Amelia. SIS that
the reason You never let Mr.. Brown wall
with youa Do you know, Liz lin conf
Dental a. tone 1--WE girls think II awful quesl
There were Bangs and Simpkins, and hall
week, and he's been here over month and
you haven't gained an inch It's fact
those other fellows were awful soft; but
Just think Q whole month We think II
tool" -a ls'5 =
II wish. Amelia Edwards that you and
the other girls would be so good q TO mind
your own affairs, and let mine siOnep'
20, then you do consider Mr.. Brown
your a6airsl You havsn't given up hop1
yet! Well, there is nothing like courage
...And wish you good afternoon. I'm
going over hsrs," halt :creamsS LAZY; and