The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-30

toned; and he avoided Mr.. Larkin's
comfortable home, where the teacher
boarded
The 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 be-
ing in the wrong, Steve" he began.
eve haint had a teacher for years that's
given the satisfaction that Molly does.
The children rave about her-au Of
'em."
But Steve was unimpressod.
'My opinion has yet to be altered -
he said rather stitIly.
And Mr.. Larkin looked discouraged
"Sho spoke about needing a now
broom and water pail" he said as he
rose. "I told her she'd better come to
you about it."
That schoolhouse had a new broom
last term, and water pail term before
last n' said the young director emphati-
calIy.
Aud 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 al
loving 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 of young girl-not re-
markabIy pretty girl, but fair and fresh
and innocent, with bright intelligence
in her dark eyes and sweetness in her
full lips.
"Who is she2' was the first question
after the services were concluded ad-
dressed, as it happened, to little Mr..
Larkin, who had come in late.
"That2" the latter asked in astonish-
mcnt. "Why, that's our teacher
that's Mollie San bornl am waiting to
take thom 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 he should furnish them if he
found that they were not needed, but he
felt that he should not object to an in
terview with the school teacher.
lie even mentioned tho subject to Mr..
Larkin carelcssly when he mot him one
day.
''WcI. you see," was tho response,
'she sort of hates to come toy you. The
way you felt about her having the
school has got all around town, and
s'posc she's heard of it, Sho can 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-1ot, however, admitting to
himself his purpose in doing so-and
strolIcd down the street, turning off
but he persuaded himself that it was
not intea tional--in the direction of the
school house.
Il might as we'll go in and sec about
that broom and water pail" he said to
himself when ha stood opposite the
little bare looking building.
And he went in accordingly.
The little teacher looked considerably
startled when she opened the door to
him. She dropped the spelling book
she held, and her voice was hardly
steady as she expressed her qualification
at seeing him.
Evidently, Steve reflected, some idiot
had pointed him out to her at church
the other evening. He sat down in a
front seat feeling uapleasantly ogreish.
She was hearing the last spelling
class. How pretty she looked, standing
there in her blue calico dress and white
apron. What a sweet voice she had,
though putting out ''hen, men, pen, "
to a lot of fidgeting youngsters could
hardly show it to the best advantage.
When the class was dismissed, and
the last small student had rushed
whooping down the street, the teacher
and the young director stood looking at
each other with some awkwardness.
II thought I'd come in" said Steve at
last, apologotically, land see if any
thing is needed"
He did not mention the fact of his
being some six weeks late in the per-
formance of his duty.
The girl dropped her eyes timidly.
"I-don't think So" she murmured.
'What a brute she must think me ~
Steve reflected, with some self-disgust.
He turned carelessly to the corner
where the broom stood.
isn't this pretty far gomez" he said,
with a conscien ce-stricken glance at its
stubby end.
And the little teacher nodded.
''Your water pail seems to leak" the
director went on, indicating the empty
bucket and the wet floor.
EYES," the girl assented.
'I'll see that you have new ones" ;"
| Steve concluded.
! And he was rewarded by a grateful