The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-06-09
WON By A SCHOOL MA AN.


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 So
lection of a teacher for the full term
Lyman Doty spoke to me about having
the school," said the chair, obviously.
Lyman Dotyr exclaimed Steve Tenney
astalwart young felloY, 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
ne hasn't studied anything but potatoes and
winter wheat since, that know Of. Better
stick TO his farm-eh, Larkinp
"Guess you're right" responded the third
member of the board, little man with a
cheerful face and a tuft Of gray hair sticking
straight out from his chin.
And the chairman nodded his agreement.
"Well," continued little Mr.. Larkin, with
an air Of importance, "Tve had an appica-
ton that guess will suit. It's a sort of rela-
tive Of my wife's and just as nice girl as
ever was. Smart, too. She's got certificate
"A splendid teacher, Molly Sanborn would"
"Sanborn" said Steve Tenny, shortly;
"any connection with the Sanborns over on
the rivcrT
THAT'S where she's FROM said Mr. Lar.
kin. "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 determinedly.
"Whatm said Mr.. Larkin, with n gasp,
while the chairman stared.
"What would you think" the young man
responded, "if man sold you fifty head Uf
sheep at good price, and half of them died
off In the next week Of disease he must
have known beforehandi 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.
"Old 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 u girl as you ever set
eyes on not a bit Of her father about her"
well, well, fight il 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 stree. together, talking briskly.
Mr., Larkn was hot aud indignant, Steve
was cool and immovable
"There don't seem 10 be any mercy In you"
said the former, almost tearfully, rs Steve
was preparing To turn in at his gate. ''If
they'd been left well OFF 1t would he different,
but they're poor rs 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
81 couldn't hold out after that, you sec,"
he said 10 his mother, relating the story over
their tea, "but don't approve Of 1t. There's
not much good in the Sanborns or lose my
guess"
School began two 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 ac-
cordingly.
He did not call at the schoolhouse the first
day Ms was his custom, to leave the register
and zee 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
tcrly indifferent az to whether anything was
H.. .,,L, o.,
new teacher was mentioned; and no avoided
Mr.. Larkin's comfortable home, where the
teacher boarded.
The little man made him call, however, a
month or SO after school had begun.
Guess you'll have TO own up to being in
tho wrong, Steve" he began. ave haint
had teacher for years that's given the sat
isfaction that Molly does. The children rave
about her-all Of EN-"
But Steve was unimpressed.
MY opinion has yet to DO altered, ho said
rather stiiiiy.
And Mr. Larkin looked discouraged.
''She spoke about needing a new broom
and water pail" he said us he rose. 81 told
her she'd better come to you about it,"
"That school house had q new broom last
term, and water pail term before last!" said
the young director emphatcally.
And Mr.. Larkin took a discounted leave.
The next Sunday evening the young man,
sitting In the pew OF a small wooden church
with his mother and allowing his eyes to
rove about during tho rather long sermon,
suddenly discovered new face. and sat
studying IL for the remainder of the evening.
IL was that OF young girl-not remark
ably pretty girl, but fair and fresh and inno-
cent, with bright intelligence in her dark
eyes and a sweeipess in her full lips
''Who Is shef' was his first question after
the services we're concluded, addressed, AZ il
happened, to littlo Mr. Larkin, who had
come in late.
"1hatr the latter asked IN astonishment
'Why, that's our teacher-thats only Molly
Sanborn That's my wife she's with, don't
you sect am waiting TO take them home
Steve Tenney found himself wishing quit,
frequently after that that the new teacher
would come to him about tho broom ant
water pail
Not that he should furnish them II he founc
they were not needed. but no felt that h,
should not object to an interview with tn,
school teacher.
He even mentioned the subject TO Mr. Lar
hn carelessly when be met him one day.
swell, you see," was the response, 'sht
fTl