Wichita eagle., 1888-08-03
WON BY A SCHOOL MA'AM.

The SchOOi directors OF District No. ~
Perry township, were holding meeting
Nobody would have thought it. The chair
man was leaning against his front gate with
his checked shirtsieeves turned back and an
Ak in his hand, surveying the other two
members Of the board, who stood outside tho
fcnce
Ii was meeting. nevertheless; and its OBJ
5ect was nothing less important than tho 20
lection of teacher for the full term.
Lyman Doty spoke to me about having
the school," said the chair, obviously.
Lyman Dctyl" exclaimed Steve Tenney,
. stalwart young fellow, with thick brown
hair, white teeth and square chin to mnke
up for his lack Of downright good looks
"Why, Lyman Doty couldn't teach a baby.
He quit school before did. long enough, and
he hasn't studied anything but potatoes and
winter wheat since, that l know Of Better
stick 10 bis farm-eh, LarkinT'
''Guess you're right" responded the third
member of the board, little man with a
cheerful face and a tuft of gray hair sticking
straight out from his chin.
And the chairman nodded bis agreement.
well" continued little Mr.. Larkin, with
an air of importance, "Pve had an applica-
ton that guess will suit. It's sort Of reia-
tive Of my wife's, and just nice girl as
ever was Smart, too. She's got certificate
for two years, last examination. She'd make
splendid teacher. Molly Sanborn would"
'Sanbornf" said Steve Tenny, shortly;
''any connection with the Sanborns over on
the riverY"
''Thats where she's FROM" said Mr. Lar
kin. "She's old John Sanborns girl-him
that died last winter"
Steve frowned
"You won't put her into the school, then,
with my consenti" he said determinedly
"What" said Mr. Larkin, with a gasp,
while the chairman stared.
'What would you think, !" the young man
responded, eff man sold you fifty head OF
sheep at good price, and half of them died
off in the next week of disease he must
have known beforehand That was the trick
John Sanborn served me. And he laughed
in my face when | wanted my money back.
No, sir! L can't conscientiously consent to
putting any of the Sanborns in that school.
Bad lot, in my opinion"
Mr.. Larkin's small bright eyes snapped
''Oid Sanborn wasn't too straight, and
everybody knows it." he admitted 'sBut
what that's got to do with Molly is more than
can see She's as fine a girl as you ever set
eyes on; not bit of her father about her,"
well, well, fight it out between you" said
the chairman, goodnaturedly, and returned
to his wood chopping.
The tall young man and the little old man
walked up the street together, talking brislly
Mr.. Larkin was hot and indignant; Steve
was cool and irnInovable
There don't seem 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 IF that's the
rasen-
Mr.. Larkin walked away triumphant fivo
minutes later.
But Steve Tenney had surrendered with
bad grace
Il 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 Sanborns or lose my
guess"
School began two weeks later, when the
first cool wave was depopulating front
porcbes and increasing the attraction near
kitchen stoves.
Steve Tenney held to his opinion concern
ing the new school teacher and acted &C
cordingly.
He did not call at the schoolhouse the first
day. as was bis custom, TO leave the register
and see if anything was wanted-the chair
man having turned these duties over to his
younger colleague
He sent the register by a boy, and was ut
terly Indifferent a. to whether anything was
wanted He turned the subject when tho
new teacher was mentioned; and he avoided
Mr. Larkns comfortable home, where the
teacher boarded
The little man made him a call, however, a
month or 50 after school had begun
Guess you'll have to own up to being in
the wrong, Steve" he began. 1--WE hain't
had teacher for years that's given the sat-
isfaction that Molly does. The children rave
about her-aIl of 'en-"
But Steve was unimpressed
"My opinion has yet to be altered, " he said
rather stifly.
And MI Larkin looked discouraged
''She spoke about needing a new broom
and water pail" he said as he rose. 'l told
her she'd better come to you about it"
''That school house had a new broom last
term. and water pail term before lastI" said
the young director enphatically.
And Mr.. Larkin took discounted leave
The next Sunday evening the young man,
sitting in the pew Of a small wooden church
with his mother. and allowing his eyes to
rove about during the rather long sermon,
suddenly discovered a new face, and sat
studying it for the remainder of the evening
1t was that or q young girl-not remark
ably pretty girl, but fair and fresh and iuno-
cent, with a bright intelligence in her dark
eyes and a sweetness in her full lips
Who is shef' was his first question after
the services were concluded, addressed, as it
happened. to little Mr.. Larkin, who had
come in late.
That's" the latter asked in establishment
"Nhy, that's oar teacher-that's only Molly
Sanborn That's my wife she's with, don't
you seei am waiting to take them home"
Steve Tenney found himself wishing quite
frequently after that that the new teacher
would come TO him about the broom and
water pail
Not that be should furnish them il he found
they were not needed, but he felt that be
should not object to an interview with the
school teacher,
He even mentioned the subject to Mr.. Lar
kin carelessiy when he met fam one day
well, you see" was the response .she
sort of hates to come to you The way you
felt about her having the school has got all
around town, and s'pose she's heard of it
She can't help what her father was. Molly
can't. and SHE'S real sensitive"
The young man looked disturbed
That afternoon he left his work at an early
hour-not, however. admitting to nIn,self
bis purpose In doing so-and stroiled down
fhs eSra.., t,,rpinr off-but be peryt,adeSd