St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-04-06

| sucs 40 do POoE - POScTtys anu MOuy
needs the place the worse way"
"You hadn't mentioned that" said
the young man. turning back. If
that is the case"
Mr.. Larkin walked away triumphant
five minutes later.
But Steve Tenney had surrendered
with bad grace.
Il 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 Sanborn's. or l lose my guess. I"
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 any thing
was wanted-the chairman having
turned these duties over TO his younger
colleague.
lie sent the register by boy, and
was utterly Indifferent as TO whether
any thing was wanted. He turned the
subject when the new teacher was men,
toned; and he avoided Mr.. Larkin's
comfortable home, where the teacher
boarded.
The little man made him . call. how
ever. q month or SO after school had
begun.
Guess you'll have to own up to being
in the wrong. Steve" he began. I'VE
haint had a teacher for years that has
given the satisfaction that Molly does.
The children rave about her-all Of
EN-"
But Steve was unimpressed.
My opinion is yet to be altered, !" he
said, rather stifflv.
And Mr.. Larkin looked discouraged
''She spoke about needing q water
pail and new broom" he said a. he
rose. II told her shed better come to
you about it."
THAT school-house had . new broom
last term. and WATERFALL term before
lastr' said the young director, emphat-
ically.
And Mr.. Larkin took discounted
leave.
The next Sunday evening the young
man. sitting in pew OF small wooden
church with his mother. and allowing
his eyes to rove about during the rather
long sermon. suddenly discovered .
new face, and sat studying i for the
remainder of the evening.
1t was that Of young girl-not q
remarkably pretty girl, but fair and
fresh and innocent, with a bright in.
telligence in her dark eyes and sweet
ness in her full lips.
"Who is she?" was the first ques-
ton after the services were concluded.
addressed. as it happened, TO little
Mr.. Larkin. who had come in late.
"1hat?" the latter asked, in aston
ishment "Why. that's our teacher
that's Molly Sanborn! am waiting
to take her home"
Steve Tenny found himself wishing
quite frequently after that that the
new teacher would come to him about
the broom and WATERFALL.
Not that he should furnish them il
he found that they were not needed.
but he felt that he should not object
to an interview with the teacher.
He even mentioned the subject to
Mr.. Larkir carelessly when he met
him one day.
WEN. you see." was the response.
''she sort of hates to como to you.
Tho way you felt about her having
charge Of the school has got all around
town, and l s'pose she's heard OF it.
She can't help what her father was.
Molly can't, and she's real sensitive"
The young man looked disturbed.
That afternoon he left his work at an
early hour-not. however, admitting to
himself his purpose in doing s0-and
strOlled down the street, turning Of
but he persuaded himself that Il was
not intentiOnal-in the direction Of the
schOol-hOuse.
Il might as well 60 in and see about
that broom and WATERFALL" he said to
himself when he stood opposite the lit
tie bare-lOoking building.
And he went in accordingly.
The little teacher looked consider
ably startled when she opened the door
10 him. She dropped the spelling
book she held. and her voice was hard
" steady rs she expressed her gratifica-
ton at seeing him.
Evidently. Steve reflected. some idiot
had pointed him out to her at church
the other evening. He sat down in q
front seat feeling unplcasantly ogreish
She was hearing the last spelling
class. How pretty she looked. stand
ing there in her blue calico dress and
white apron. What a sweet voice she
had. though putting out ''hen, men.
pen." to lot Of fidgetins youngsters
could hardly show it to the best adj
vantage.
When the class was dismissed and
the last small student had rushed
whOoping down the street. the teacher
aud young director stood looking at
each other with some awkwardness.
81 thought I'd come in. said Steve
at last. alphabetically. land see If any
thing is needed"
He did not mention the fact OF his
being some six weeks late in the per-
Torrance of his duty.
The GIRL drOppel her ewes. timidly.