Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-07-13
The School Ma'am's Victory,

The school directors Of District No.
TO- Perry Township, were holding a
meeting
Nobody would have thought it. The
Chairman was leaning against his front
gate with lis checked shirt sleeves
turned back and an AK in his hand, sur
veying tho other two members Of tho
Board, who too outside the fence.
1t wa, m etio@, nevertheless; aud
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-
biou,ly.
Lyman Dotyw exclaimed Steve Ton
ney, stalwart young fellow, with thick
brown hair, white teeth aud asqGaro
chin to make up for his lack Of down
right good looks 'Why Lyme D4ty
couldn't teach baby. He quit school
before l did, long enough, aud he
hlsn't studied anything but potatoes
and winter VIII at since, that know Of.
Better stick to his larm-ch, Larkinp
Guess you're right" responded the
third member OF the Board, little man
with cheerful face anl TUT Of gray
hair sticking strai hit out from his CHA.
And the chairman nodded his agree
meut.
"Wcll," con tiuucd little Mr. L1kin,
with an air Of Importance, eve had AZ
application that guess will suit. It's
asort OF relative Of ny wi(cs. and ju,t
as nice a girl a, ever was. Smart, too.
She's got certificate for two years,
last examination. She'd make a splcn-
did teacher, Molly Sanborn would
'sanborul' said Steve Tenuy, short
ly; any connection with tho Saubornf
over on the river2'
That's where she's FROM" said Mr..
Laikin. ''She's old Johl Sanboru's
girl-him that died last winter"
Steve frowncd.
You won't put her into that school.
then, with my conscntl' he said de-
terminelly.
Whotf said Mr. Larkin, with a
gasp, whilc the chairman stared.
What would you think" the young
man responded. 'it man sold you fifty
head OF sheep at IA good price, and half
OF them died off in the next week ofa
disease he must have known beforehand?
That was the trick Joha Sanborn
served me. And he laughed in nv
lace when | wanted my money back.
No, sirl | cant coascicntiously con
sent to putting any of the S,uborns in
that school. Bad lot, in my opinionl r
Mr.. Larkin's small bright eyes
snapped.
'Oid Sanborn wasn't too straisht
and every body knows it, he admitted.
but what that's got to do with Molly
Is more than can sec She's as fine
girl as you ever set eyes on; not bit
Of h'r father about her"
"Wcll, we'll, fight it cut between
you - SAID the chairman, good d-nature /
ly; and returned to his wood choppinc.
The tall young man and the little
old man walked up the street together,
talking briskly.
Mr.. Larkin was hot and indignant;
Steve was cool and immovable.
"Thero don't seem to be aav 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. III
that's the case -'
Mr. Lnrkin walked away triumphant
live minutes later
But Steve Tenney had surrendered
with bad grace.
Il couldn't hold out after that YOU
sec, he snil to his mother, relating the
story over their tea; "but l don an.
prove of it. There's not much good in
The anborns or lose my suos,r
School be AN two weeks later, when
the first cool wave was dcpoI ulating
front porchcs aud increasing the attrac. |
ton near kitchen stoves.
Steve Tcnncy hell to his opinion con-
GER Ia; the new school teacher and
acted accordingly.
He dill not call at the scloolhouse
the first day, as was his custom, to
cav the re i'i.T and see if apythiir
- wautt d-the chaiIman having
turned these duties over to his younger
colleague.
He sent the reai. ter by boy, and
was utterly indifferent as to whether
anything was wanted. lie turacd the
subject when the new teacher was men
i med; and he avoided Mr.. Larkin's
comfortable home, where the teacher
boarded.
Tho little man male him a call. how
ver, month or so after school had be-
,un.
'oaess you'll have TO own up to be-
ne in the wrong, Steve" he began.
we haint had atcaeAor for y.arA that's
iiysa the sslisIa0siop that Molly does.