The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-07-05
The School Ma'am's Victory.

1u6 OCuuUl Md dLuS VlCIOIy,
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 Dotyr" exclaimed Steve Ten
ney, a stalwart young fellow, with thick
brown hair, white teeth and square
chin to make up for his lack Of down.
right good looks. 'Why Lyme Doty
couldn't teach baby. He quit school
before 1 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, 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 I guess will suit. IT.
sort of relative of my wife's. and just
as nice girl as ever was. Smart, too.
She's got a certificate for two years,
last examination. She'd make a splen.
did teacher, Molly Sanborn would"
'Sanbornr' said Steve Tenny, short
Ily; ttany connection with the Sanborns
over on the river9"
"Thaes where she's FROM" said Mr..
La,kin. ''She's old John Sanborn'l
girl-him that died last winter"
Steve frowned.
"You won't put her into that school,
then, with my consent" he said de-
terminedly.
"Whatp said Mr.. Larkin, with 6
gasp, while the chairman stared.
"What would you think" the young
man responded. 'if man sold you fifty
head of sheep at good price, and half
of them died off in the next week of a
disease he must have known beforehand
That was the trick John Sanborr
served me. And 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 opinionr'
Mr.. Larkin's small bright eye,
snapped.
"Old Sanborn wasn't too straight,
and every body knows it." he admitted.
'But what that's got to do with Molly
is more than / can see. She's as fine 6
girl as you ever set eyes on; not bi
of her father about her."
"Well, we'll, fight it out between
you," said the chairman, good natured
Iy: and returned to his wood chopping.
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 mere.
in you," said the former, almost tear
fully, as Steve was preparing to turn il
at his gate. IF they'd been left vel
off, it would be different; but they'r'
poor as poverty, and Molly needs tn
place the worst way"
''You hadn't mentioned that" sale
the young man, turning back. II
that's the case -"
Mr.. Larkin walked away triumphan
five minutes later.
But Steve Tenney had surrendered
with bad grace.
Il couldn't hold out after that, 20,
see," he said to his mother, relating tn
story over their tea; "but / don't ap
prove of it. There's not much good il
the Sanborns or l lose my guess"
School began two weeks later, whel
the first cool wave was depopulatinl
front porches and incre asing 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 schoolhous
the first day, as was his custom, t.
leave the register and see if anythin,
was wauted-the chairman havin.
turned these duties over to his younge
colleague.
He sent the register by boy, ant
was utterly indifferent as to whethe
anything was wanted. He turned tn
subject when the new teacher was men
toned; and he avoided Mr.. Larkin'
comfortable home, where the teache
boarded.
The little man made him 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 begsn
! 1--WE haint had teacher for years that
given the satisfaction that Molly does