The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-11-15
THE TEACHERS COURAGE.
What Took 1t Away and How She Re-
gained 1t.

gained 1t.
MAY come imp
i.Of course; this chair has been wait
ing for you ever since heard the first
halloo from the schoolhouse door that
told me il was four O'clock" and Mrs
Merryweather pushed large easy
chair trifle nearer the cheerful wood
fire cracking on the hearth of her
pretty sewing room, and smiled in
vitingly up at slight figure standing
in the doorway.
"And grumble all 1 likeP"
Yes"
''My dress is full of chalk-dust and
my hands will not feel clean. wash them
as many times as / may. l am all out
of Sorts" and aweary, dropping figure
settled down on the low seat in hope
less and detected manner, quite at
variance with its usual air of cheerful
alertnesS.
''They do not appear to be very
grimy," said Mrs. Merryweather, glanc-
ing at the small but strengthening
hands as they emerged from a pair of
not very fresh gloves. 'Fill them with
this for little while, and perhaps it
Will YOU, SIC IOSStu u
balsam cushion into the little school
teachers lap. at is much more likely
to be your brain that is not fresh rather
than your hands," she said, as she
turned again TO her sewing. Cant
you rest awhile here, and let us sweep
it clear before you go home. my dearP
| must go on with my mending, but
we can talk iD the meantime"
The spicy odors Of the sweet balsam
fl0atcd mp to the tired head bending
over it; the imprisoned wOOd-spirit in
The log on the fire-irons hnmmed
cheerful song; Mrs. Merryweather's
and comforting face, in-
tent upon its homely work. was very
restful. Presently the little school
teacher laughed softly. Mrs. Merry
weather looked up and smiled respon-
sively.
Il am forgetting to be cross" said
The young lady, meeting her glance.
II do not think cross the right term
to use," replied Mrs. Merryweather. ~
should say you were tired and trifle
Has it been 5 hard
layP"
..Yes, it has; and yet I do not re-
cNCl ~ ISttc eLsttICh OuL
. better supply of courage and hope
ulness than l did tins morning"
land yet there was not enough to
ast until to-nightP" asked Mrs. Merry
Weather.
mo, and it has all gone for such
mean, petty little things. too. One
ioes not mind using his ammunition
n a good cause against worthy foe,
md he glories in conquest; but my
lay has been full of failures. and
know have wasted My stores"
.4Do not be so sure of that, nay dear.
Give me some of the particulars of the
II scarcely know where to begin
but / think it was Tommy Bangs who
first weakened my defences. lie told
me lie."
"Only oneP" asked Mrs. Merry
weather.
The little teacher looked up in sur
prise. II = ,-sl -
what do you meanP" she asked.
4Only that should think that very
small allowance for Tommy Bangs.
when yOa remember that his whole
are addicted to the same habit
and always have been. Instead OF feel
ing discouraged you should be very
glad at having reduced him to one."
but have been working steadily
for two wears to break that boy of such
a dreadful habit, and thought he was
cured. He had no excuse for lying to
ME; at home he is blamed unneces-
sarilv and treated harshly, but ]
thought he cared enough for me TO be
truthful for my sake if not for hOpof's
sake, though have tried to teach him
the latter. 1t discouraged me more
than you would imagine; Icannot bear
to think of that boys future"
-My DEAR" said Mrs. Merryweather,
snlemnly, 1.-THE Lord is responsible for
Tommy Bangs and his future. You
have done your work in showing the
boy the right path,-in setting high
ideal before him. Keep upto your own
standard, and hold out helping hand
TO the child just so long as he is near
enough to grasp it, but don't show
your own lack of confidence by getting
disheartened so easily. / dare say now
Tommy was sorry; once he would not
even have known enough to recognize
his own fault. You surely cannot
count him a failure; only one lie day
What nextP"
The little teacher shook her head
slowly, ~ am not convinced" she
said.
lyon will be when you grow older, y
answered Mrs. Merryweather, land
YOUR two years of helpfulness to Tom
my Bangs will be one of the pleasant
est things to remember. No really
good work is ever lost, my dear.
have lived long eaeugh to find thai
OUT
You are a good comforter. Mrs
Merryweather," said the younger wo
man. 81 will try and remember thai
thought. What next?' you asked me
Let me think. 1t was before the morn
inc session opened, believe, that Mrs
Sampson came in to see me about some
little matter in regard to her boy. Now
a few months ago l took tea at he1
house, and saw Charlie Che is six o.
seven years Old) raise his hand agaiI
and again, threatening to strike hi
mother when she denied him SOM
little dainty at the table, or asked hin
to do something which he did not like
1t was quite shock to me. and mad
up my mind to give a few lessons t.
my classes in respect to older people
even if fell behind few pages In tn
spelling-book. Since then | hay
obliged the boys to speak politely +
me when | met them at home o
abroad, and to be gentle and respect
| ful in the sehoolroom. Charlie SamI
son and another small boy came up t
the platform, where his mother and
were sitting, to ask me some question
Say good morning to Mrs. Sampson
said [ to the other boy, and Charlie
don't you see your mother?' Both boy
started to obey me when Mrs. SamI
son said. oh, attend toyour own worl