Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-06-29
WON BY A SCHOOL MA'AM.

WON BY A SCHOOL MA'AM.
The school directors of District No. 10,
Perry township, were holding meeting.
Nobody would have thought it. The chair
man was leaning against his front gate with
his checked shirtsleeves turned back and an
ak in his hand, surveying the other two
members Of the board, who stood outside the
fence.
1t was meeting, nevertheless; and its OBJ
ject was nothing less important than the Sc
lection Of a teacher for the full term.
Lyman Doty spoke to me about having
the school," said the chair, obviously.
Lyman DotyI" exclaimed Steve Tenney,
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 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, little man with
cheerful face and a tuft of gray hair sticking
straight out from his chin.
And the chairman nodded his agreement.
"Well,n continued little Mr.. Larkin, with
an air of Importance, ''I've had an applica-
ton that guess will suit It's sort Of rela-
tive Of my wife's, and just as nice girl as
ever was. Smart, too. She's got certificate
for two years, last examination. She'd make
splendid teacher, Molly Sanborn would"
"Sanbornl" said Steve Tenny, shortly;
"any connection with the Sanborns over on
the river?'
''Thats where she's FROM" said Mr.. Lar
kin. "She's old John Sanborns girl-him
that died last winter"
Steve frowned.
"You won't put her into the school, then,
with my consent!" he said determinedly.
"What!" said Mr.. Larkin, with gasp,
while the chairman stared.
''What would you think" the young man
responded, eff 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 beforehand That was the trick
John Sanborn served me- And he laughed
in my face when wanted my money back.
No, sirl l 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
"Old Sanborn wasn't too straight, and
everybody knows it." he admitted. s'But
what that's got to do with Molly is more than
can see. She's as fine 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 returned
to his wood chopping.
The tall young man and the little old man
walked up the street together, talking briskly.
rlyi hot nd ind
was cool and immovable.
''There don't seem to be any mercy in you,"
said the former, almost tearfully, 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. eff that's the
easel
| Mr. Larkin walked away triumphant five
| minutes later.
| But Steve Tenney had surrendered with
bad grace.
ST 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 Sanborns or lose my
guess"
School began.t weeks later, when the
| first cool wave was depopulating front
! porches and increasing the attraction near
| kitchen stoves.
Steve Tenney held TO his opinion concern
| ing the new school teacher and acted &C
| eordingly.
He did not call at the schoolhouse the first
| day, as was his custom, to leave the register
| and see if anything was wanted-the chair
| man having turned these duties over to his
| younger colleague.
| He sent the register by boy, and was ut
terly Indifferent as to whether anything was
| wanted. He turned the subject when the
l new teacher was mentioned; and he avoided
4 Mr.. Larkin's comfortable home, where the
| teacher boarded.
| The little man made him a call, however, 6
month or SO after school had begun.
'Guess you'll have to own up to being il
| the wrong, Steve" he began. "We hain1
| had teacher for years that's given the sat
isfaction that Molly does. The children rave
about ber-an Of 'em."
But Steve was unimpressed.
ssMy opinion has yet to be altered, +" he sale
rather stif1y.
And Mr.. Larkin looked discouraged.
sShe spoke about needing new broom
and water pail, he said as he rose. 81 tolt
! her she'd better come to you about it."
"That school house had new broom las
term, and water pail term before lastl" sait
the young director emphatically.
And Mr Larkin took a discounted leave
The next Sunday evening the young man
sitting in the pew of small wooden churcl
with his mother, and allowing his eyes t.
rove about during the rather long sermon
suddenly discovered new face, and sa
studying it FOR the remainder Of the evening
It was that Of a young girl-not remark
ably pretty girl, but fair and fresh and limo
cent, with a bright intelligence in her darl
ewes and a sweetness in her full lips
"Who is sheg" WAS his first question afte
the services were concluded, addressed, as
| happened, to little Mr.. Larkin, who ha
come in late.
| siThat2' the latter asked in establishment
"Why, that's our teacher-that's only Moll
/ Sanborn. That's my wife she's with, don
l YOU seea am waiting to take them home.
Steve Tenney found himself wishing quit
! frequently after that that the new teache
would come to him about the broom an
water pail.
! Not that be should furnish them if he foun
shey were not needed, but he felt that
should not object to an interview with til
school teacher.
He even mentioned the subject to Mr.. La
kin carelessly when he met him one day.
swell, you see," was the response, Ssh
sort of hates to come to you. The way 20
felt about her having the school has got q
around town, and s'pose she's heard OF !
! She can't help what her father was, MOL
can't, and she's real sensitive" -
The young man looked disturbed
no 1aff hic work AT earl
nour--nor, however, admitting TO hlmse
his purpose in doing so-and strolien 90"
the street, turning oR-but be persuade
,;,nsalf ttet it was not intentional-in tx
direction of the school house.
81 might as we'll 80 in and see about thu
hnoom and water pail, +" he said to himsel
.4..S <,,~,o.it> tho 1itfie hare lOoElu