The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-30
The School Ma'am's Victory.

The school directors of District No.
10, Perry Township, were holding a
meeting.
Nobody would have thought it. The
Chairman was leaning against his front
gate with his checked shirt sleeves
turned back and an ak in his hand, sur
veying the other two members Of the
Board, who stood outside the fence.
1t was a meeting, nevertheless; and
its object was nothing less important
than the selection of teacher for the fall
term.
Lyman Doty spoke to me about
having the school," said the Chair, du-
biously.
Lyman Doty!" exclaimed Steve Ten
ncy, stalwart young fellow, with thick
brown hair, white teeth and a square
chin to make up for his lack Of down
right 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
and winter wheat since, that know of.
Better stick to his farm-eh, Larkin2'
Guess you're right" responded the
third member of the Board, a little man
with a cheerful face and tuft of gray
hair sticking straight out from his chin.
And the chairman nodded his agree
ment.
"WclI," con tinued little Mr.. Larkin,
with an air of importance, "pve had an
application that guess will suit. It's
a sort of relative of my wife's. and just
as nico a girl as ever was. Smart, too.
She's got certificate for two years,
last examination. She'd make a spleE-
did teacher, Molly Sanborn would"
"Sanborn p said Steve Tenny, short
ly; 'any connection with the Sanborns
over on the river2"
That's where she's from," said Mr..
La1kin. "She's old John Sanborn's
girl-him that died last winter"
Steve frowncd.
You won't put her into that school,
then, with my consentv' he said de-
terminedly.
"Whatw said Mr.. Larkin, with a
gasp, while the chairman stared.
'What would you Think" the young
man responded, elf man sold you fifty
head of sheep at a good price, and half
of them died off in the next week of
disease he must have known beforehand2 2
That was the trick John Sanborn
served me- Aud he laughed in my
face when I wanted my money back.
No, sirl I can't conscientiously con
sent to putting any of the Sanborns in
that school. Bad lot, in my opinion -
Mr. LarkiRs small bright eyes
snapped.
cold Sanborn wasn't too straight,
and verybody kEows it," he admitted.
''But what that's got to do with Molly
is more than l can see. She's as fine a
girl as you ever set eyes on not bit
of her father about heF."
"Well, we'll, fight it out between
you," said the chairman, good-natured-
ly: and returned to his wood chopping.
The tall young man and the little
old man walked up the street together,
talk ing briskly.
Mr.. Larkin was hot and indignant; :;
Steve was cool and immovable.
"There don't seem to be any mercy
in you," said the former, almost tear
fully. as Steve was preparing to turn in
at his gate. 'If they'd been left we'll
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 case --'
Mr.. Larkin walked away triumphant
five 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 I don't ap-
prove of it. There's not much good in
the Sanborns or lose my guess p
School began two weeks later, when
the first cool wave was deporulating
front porches and increasing the attrac-
tion near kitchen stoves.
Steve Tenney held to his opinion con-
cerning the new school teacher and
acted accordingly.
He did not call at the schoolhouse
the first day, as was his custom, to
leave the register and see if anythiag g
was wantcd-the chairman having
turned these duties over to his young er
colleague.
He seat the register by boy, and
was utterly indifferent as to whether
anything was wanted. He turned the
sub ie ct when the new teacher was men