The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-06-20
Won by a SchoOl-Ma'am.

10, Perry township, were holding
meeting.
Nobody would have thought of it.
The chairman was leaning against his
front-gate, with his checked shirt-sleeves
turned back and an axe in his hand,
surveying 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
full term.
Lyman Doty spoke to me about
having the school," said the chair
man, obviously.
Lyman Doty!" exclaimed Steve
Tenney, a stalwart young fellow, with
thick brown hair, white teeth and a
square chin to make up for his lack of
downright good looks. Why, Lyman
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, Larkin?"
"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.
"Well,' continued little Mr.. Larkin,
with an air of importance, "I've had
an application that l guess will suit.
It's sort of relative of my wife's and
just as nice girl as ever was. Smart,
too. She got a certificate for two
years last examination. She'd make
on1apdiJ taoohar Mol1v Ganhor,,
would"
Sanborn" said Steve Tenny,
shortly; "any connection of the San
borns over on the river?"
That's where she's FROM" said Mr.
Larkin. "She's old John Sanborn's
girl-him that died last winter"
Steve frowned
You won't put her into the school,
then, with my CONSENT" he said, de-
terminedly.
Whatl'' said Mr.. Larkin, with a
gasp, while the chairman stared.
What would you think" the young
man responded, g. if a 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 be-
forehand? That was the trick John
Sanborn served me. And he laughed
in my face when | wanted my money
back. No, sir. ] 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.
cold Sanborn wasn't too straight,
and everybody knows it," he admitted.
" But 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 retired to his wood-choppipg.
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.
"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 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 case -
Mr.. Larkin walked away triumphant
five minutes later.
But Steve Tenney had surrendered
with bad grace.
| 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 San
borns, or lose my guess"
School began two weeks later, when
the first cool wave was depopulating
front porches and increasing the attrac-
ton near kitchen stoves.
Steve Tenney held to his opinion
concerning the new school-teacher and
acted accordingly.
He did not call at the school house the
first day, as was his custom, to leave the
register and see if anything was
wanted-the chairman having turned
these duties over to his younger col
league.
He sent the register by boy, and
was utterly Indifferent as to whether
anything was wanted. He turned the
subject when the new teacher wai
mentioned; and he avoided Mr.. Lark
ms comfortable home, where the
teacher boarded.
The little man made him a call, how
ever, month or so after school hat
begun.
"Guess you'll have to own up to be-
ing in the wrong, Steve" he began
We hain't had a teacher for year
that's given the satisfaction that Mol,
does. The children rave about her
all of 'em."
But Steve was unimpressed.
My opinion has yet to be altered,
he said, rather stiffly.
And Mr.. Larkin looked discouraged
She spoke about needing a new
broom and WATERFALL" he said, as hi
rose. " / told her she'd better com
to you about it,"
That school-house had new broom
last term and WATERFALL term befor
lastl" said the young director.
And Mr.. Larkin took discomfte'
leave.
The next Sunday evening the youn
man, sitting in the pew of SINAI
church with his mother, and ALLOWING