The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-28
wrsaen for TAs Arkansa~ T~a.eier. Teaching the DGGStllct School.
BY JENNIE PORTER ARNOLD.

It was one of those sultry days in August, when every object, animate and :nacimete, seemAd gasping for breath; and in the little brown school house at Mapleton, Kittie Markham, the meek little dark-eyed teacher, was hearing the last recita- tion preparatory to closing school.
 All day her scholars had been rest less and uneasy, causing her nearly double the trouble they usually did. She tried to make as much excuse as possible for them, knowing that 1t was great trial to remain quiet on so warm day; but her patience was sorely tried, and her head throbbing with pain, when the last class in spell ing took their places on the floor.
 Fifteen minutes moro would re- lease her from her duties, and thoughts of quiet nap on lounge, in Mrs. Burton's cool sitting room, began to Ait through her mind.
 The words were given and spelled with alacrity, for the children were as anxious to be released as was their teacher, until the last one in the class was reached. The word was given as usual, but the child, with sullen, downcast look, made no attempt to spell it.
 "Did you not hear, Jane? Please to spell artist" Kittie said mildly, although she knew full we'll the girl did hear her, for it was not the first time she had seen her in similar mood when anything had displeased her, and to-day she had asked to be ex- cused from this same lesson; but knowing no sufficient reason for so doing, Kittie had refused. She saw plainly that this was the consequence of it: and her head redoubled its throbs of pain in anticipation of the long struggle before that stubborn will would yield.
 The second and third time was the word given, and met by the same in- sulting silence, and but for the glances of angry defiance which flashed from beneath the sullen brows, one might have thought the angry child a block of stone, so immovable she stood.
 Kittie had thought herself some what wiser than Solomon, inasmuch as she believed kindness as efiicaciOus a remedy as the rod of correction; but after ten minutes spent in every man. ner of coaxing, entreating. command ing and threatening, and she saw that it was in vain, she was driven to the conclusion that the wise man knew best alter all, and that nothing but his favorite remedy would avail in this case and she found herself under the necessity of giving vigorous ap- plication of 1t before the stubborn child would yield. But yield she did, although not until Kittie's poor head felt as if red hot needles were being thrust into 1t, and her heart ached in sympathy.
 The remainder of the lesson was soon finished for as pleasant and mild as Kittie had been before, Jane Sta ples had found that she could be stern when occasion required; and although not entirely subdued, she had no fancy for again calling forth 8 display of that sternness.
 School was dismissed, and Kittie, sitting with her aching head bowed upon her desk, was thinking sadly of the scene she had just passed through. It had been very revolting 10 her shrinking, sensitive nature, and Doth- ing but stern necessity could have forced her to it; and now the thoughts of it sent sharp spasms of pain dart ing through her temples, until she was glad 10 cease thinking and keep perfectly quiet.
 How long she sat there, she could not have told, but at last heavy step in the entry aroused her, and turning quickly, she saw Mir. Staples, "the committeeman of the deestrict," l" as he styled himself, st@ nding just within the door.
 Her heart beat quickly, for she knew full well what was his business there ; but controlling her feelings, she arose quietly and offered him A chair. Without noticing 1t, he began, an- grily:
 "l hear, Miss Markham, that you've been lickin' my gal, and l cum right down to let you know that l hired you to Parn lem. not to lick 'em, and If I ever hear of yer doin' 1t sg'iD, Pll turn you out at once."
 "Mr. Staples" Kitty said, with calm dignity, even though her poor little heart was futteriDg as if striving to break from its cage, "I lave done nothing but what 1 considered my duty, and if I am ever placed in sim.- lar circumstances 1 shall do the same thing again."
 MT. Staples was rather taken by surprise, tor he had thought that half dozen words, delivered in his pons- pous style, would have frightened the meek little Hschool- marm" out of her