Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-12-13
he reinei Dan sharply up ut the school.

he reinel Dan sharply up ut the school.
house door.
Very well, and I prefer to walk
home tonight, . Stella said, as she
stepped from the sleigh.
WAL, reckon you will, an walk
back again tomorrow, an see how you
ike trapesin' through the snow like com
SION folks.
Stella walked into the little sthool-
! house and, standing at the window,
watched Reuben drive down the road,
aiming brutal cuts with his whip at the
little school-boys who tried to catch rides
on The cutter runners. Then she heard
a shrlll chorus outside the door: "Teach-
er's fellerl Teachers Teller! He's come
with cutter this timel Wood-sled amt
good enough no morel'' pierced the lit
tie voices in an exultant, sing-song saout.
Stella rang tine hash brass bell as vindic-
lively as though it had been the neck of
one of the screaming urchins, and began
the morning routine with three ominous-
ly ugly raps upon her hollow desk.
For two weeks Stella plodded back
and forth through the snow, and counted
the days till she might turn her back on
Stoneville. The last day Of school came
at length, and her heart gave great
bound. After to- nights exhibition she
would be free. Free from curious,
peering eyes; free from the presence of
a resentful lover, who seemed to glory
in his wound. She was thinking thus
alone 10 her school-house at the noon in-
remission, when Reuben Smead shufied
in. There was malicious CLEAN In his
eyes as he said: ''I've got little bust
ness with you, Miss Edgerton." He
fumbled nervously inside his coat and
produced folded, crumpled paper.
This he handed her, saying: 81 believe
that's correct, Miss Edgerton."
Stella unfolded the paper and read:
Miss Stella Edgerton to Reuben Smead
Dr., to thirty-nine rides to and from the
school-house in Stoneville at twelve-an1-a
half cents each way-niue dollars and
seventy-five cents
II guess that's reasonable, seem
threw in the two singin' schools" he
said, while Stella's eye ran in dazed
way across the paper.
Stella looked at the Hill, then at the
man. The corners of her mouth twitched,
but she said not word until she had
reached her pocket book, unrolled one
of the crisp ten-dollar bills. which had
just been paid to her, and had given it
to him.
''Reeeipt the bill, please. believe
it is quite right. You may keep the
quarter for the singing schools, and now
leave this school-house instantly"
Stella's anger lasted all day. She
paid scant heed to the closing lessons or
to the shy indications of good will on
the part of the scholars. "The mean
ness of the man is past belief" she ex-
claimed. 81 will shame him before |
leave Stoneviile or will never show my
face in the place again. Oh, if only
had more timel"
At last the children saw the perplexed
look in their teachers face succeeded by
smile. She heard the last classes with
her usual interest, and urged all the
pupils to come to the evening exhibition
and bring their friends
The house was crowded. Even Reu.
ben Smead came, and was obliged to take
seat well forward. Stella heard read
ing, geography, and spelling classes, and
then called out what at, that day was
known as the ''cipherin class" After
they had triumphantly solved various
''sums" which Stella propounded from
the textbook, she said
snow am going to give you a real
business transaction. shall write out
bill on the blackboard, and want you
to follow me carefully and hold up your
hands when you are ready to tell the
amount due. "
Children and parents were both agog
at this, to them, novel form of instruc-
ton. Stella assured herself that Reuben
could not readily escape through the
crowd to the door She drew his
crumpled bill from her pocket and said:
81 received the following bill this morn
ing" Then she wrote slowly in large,
firm hand;
'Miss Stella Edgerton to Reuben
Smead, D. To thirty nine rides to and
from the schoolhouse in Stoneville, at
twelve and "a half cents each way"
AS she paused, half dozen childish
hands were raised eagerly, and little
girl piped up: ''Nine dollars aud seventy
FIVE cents for the wood sled, amid
shout of laughter. As Stella turned to
fho 1aarI