South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-03-29
An id-Fashioned School
Teacher


Gideon D. was strong, unruly
boy who had thus far d,iied every
teacher.
Miss Miranda R had under.
taken TO govern that school, and here
the story commences:
She was a tall, angular, severe,
looking woman. about forty years OF
age.
She wore a perfectly plain dark
brown dress, reaching to her shoe.
tops only. q long black silk apron
with velvet ribbon trimmings, and q
checked gingham handkerchief a.
round Ter neck with the ends crossed
and fastened with an immense old
fashioned gold and glass breastpin
with several varieties and shades OF
hair under the glass.
Her own hair, black, lhinly streak.
ed with gray, was combcd dosu
smooth and fat over each ear and ar
ranged At The back in q waterfall
She made stiff, jerky little bows
that threatened destruction TO her
waterfall, So the children came in,
peered at them over her spectacles
and smiled in grim sort OF way On
those WHO came nearest her desk.
They never hired her for her beau
ty,' said Bryce Sheldon, a mischiev.
Gus boy Of sixteen.
No; guess they hired her To
make such chaps asyLu toe the mark
replied Ben Lewis. and she'll do it,
too
Wonder what Gid. 1T say
10 her 2 said q third boz.
We'll, i wonder what she'll say t.
him 2 replied Bryce Sheldon.
Gideon gave Miss Il long,
searching look when he came in. She
returned ii with interest. For the
first time teacher had looked him
out of countenance. Tue ken gray
eyes behind the spec acles never left
Gidson's face unit! he turned away,
and said, in low tone. TO one of his
macs:
Il am not afraid Of her.
He realized, however, that the per-
son he had 10 deal with this time was
no common foe, and he resolved to
proceed cautiously NJ first /; hut from
the momcn. he saw Miss R he
was determined 10 cut short her Ca
reer as teacher Of that school.
When nine o'clock came, Miss R
rang her little bell, and stood, prim
and soldier.likc, with arms stiff and
straight al her sides. waiting for her
pupils TO take their seas.
When she spoke her severe face
frightened NJ, and her voice was a
pleasant surprise, it was so clear and
soft, and even sweet. Some Of the
children thought they might like her,
offer al.
They knew they liked her " hen the
ilrst week came TO an end. They
found her TO be Just and KIND teach
er-s;ern only when it was necessary
TO be so in order 10 enforce some rule
that ought TO have beel obeyed with
out question or the uso Of force.
A full month passed, and Gideon
D bad not yet made vbat the
Other boys called - bad break, and
he hsd been Questioned often as to
Why be bad not q ne 50.
lie generally replied that lac would
do 50 wien he get good ready
lie had been nearly ready scyc raj
times, but something in those remark.
atty piercing eyes of Miss R
hsd held him iu check. On two or
three occasions he had put out feel
ers, as be mentally called them.
That ~ lie had disobeyed the rules
in tridna things 30 sec how Miss
Il woull take st.
But having run out two men
teachers, Gideon d,I not propose be-
ing conquered and subiuel by wo,
man.
II was on Monday morning Of the
fifth week of tic school that Gideon
decided TO make break.
Miss Il always called the
roll rs soon as the school came 10
or'cr in the morning. Those pres
ent az that zine we're 70 say Present.
nd were TO keep thGr arms io'ded
during tho calling Of The roll.
When the teacher called the name
Of Giloon he answered With a loud
iHcrev
Miss R sat up very straight in
m Instant; her keen eyes shone be-
lind her glasses she looked toward
Gideon. His arms were unfolded
and his hands spread Out Alt on bis
lesk.
That is not tie way to answer, and
Iou knew it perfectly WELL said Miss
b in sharp voice. Fold your
rms instantly, and say present.
I've answered once, and that's
enough, salt Gideon, 'and I amt
ioing any harm with my arms un-
'olded.'
Miss b sprang to her feet,