Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-08-07
A CHANGE OF HEART.

The school-directors of District No. 10,
Perry Township, were holding meeting.
Nobody would have thought it. The
chairman was leaning against his 'front.'
gate with his checked shirt-sleeves turned
back and an axe in his hand, surveying
the other two members of the board, who
stood outside the fence.
1t was meeting, nevertheless; and its
object was nothing less important than
the selection of teacher for the fall
term.
Lyman Doty spoke to me about hav-
ing the school, said the chairman, du-
biously.
Lyman Dotyl" echoed Steve Tenney,
a astalwart young fellow, with thick brown
hair. white teeth and square chin, to
make up for his lack of downright good
looks. 'Why, Lyme Doty couldn't
teach baby. He quit school before l
did, long enough, and he hasn't studied
anything but potatoes andNinter wheat
since, that know of. Better stick to
his farm-eh, Larkin?"
Guess you're right" responded the
third member of the board, little man
with a cheerful face and tuft of gray
hair sticking straight out from his chin.
And the chairman nodded his agree
ment.
"Well," continued little Mr.. Larkin.
with an air of importance, 'T've had an
application that I guess will suit. It's a
sort Of relative of my wife's, and just as
nice girl as ever was. Smart, too. She
got certificate for two years, last exam
lnation. Shed makea splendid teacher,
Molly Sanborn would"
tSanborn." said Steve Tenney. sharp
ly- "Any connection of the Sanborns
over on the riveri"
That's where she's FROM" said Mr..
Larkin. "She's old John Sanborn's girl
him that died last winter"
Steve frowned.
"You won't put her into that school,
then, with my consentp' he said, deter
minedly.
'tWhatl" said Mr. Larkin, with gasp,
while the chairman stared.
''What would you think" the young
man responded, ''if man sold you fifty
head of sheep. at good price, and half
Of them died of in the next week, of a
disease he must have known beforehand
That was the tiick John Sanborn served
me. And he lughed in my face when
wanted my bney back. No, sirl I
can't conscientiously consent to putting
any of the Sanborns in that School. Bad
lot, in my opinionl'
Mr.. Larkin's small, bright eyes
snapped.
''Old Sanborn wasn't any too straight,
and everybody knows it." he admitted.
But what that's got to do with Molly
Is more than | can see. She's as fine O
girl as you ever set eyes on; not a bit of
her father about herr
''Well, well, fight it out between you,"
said the charm IN, good-raturedly, and
returned to his wood-chopping-
The tall young man and the little old
one walked on up the street together,
talking briskly.
Mr.. Larkin was hot and indignant;
Steve was cool and immovable.
There don't seen to be any mercy in
you, said the former, almost tearfully,
as Steve was preparing to turn in at his
gate. '.If they'd been left well off, it
would be different; but they're poor as
poverty, and Molly needs the place the
worst way"
"You hadn't mentioned that, said the
young man, turning back. 'sIf that's
the case"
Mr.. Larkin walked away triumphant
Eve minutes latPT-
But Steve Tenney had surrended with
bad grace
81 couldn't hold out after that, YOU
see, he said TO his mother, relating the
story over their tea; 'but don't approve
Of it There's not much good in the San
bOrns, or l lose my guessl"
School began two weeks later, when
the first cool wave was depopulating
front porches and increasing the attrac-
tion Of kitchen stoves.
Steve Tennny held to his opinion con-
cerning the new teacher, and acted ac-
cordiDgly.
He did not call at the school house the
first day, as was his custom, to leave the
register and see il anything was wanted
the chairman having turned these duties
over to his younger colleague.
He sent the register by a boy. and was
utterly indifferent as to whether anything
was wanting. He turned the subject
when the new teacher was mentioned;
and he avoided Mr. Larkin's comfortable
home, where the teacher boarded.
Tle little man made him a call, how
ever, a month or so after school had be-
gun.
Guess you'll have to own up to being
in the wrong. Steve" he began. eve
hain't had teacher for years that's given
the satisfaction Molly d)cs. The children
rave about her-all Of en-