Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-07-30
Mandy's School

oAN Il AAi himself.
Mandy. startled beyond measure, ran
at her mothers summons. Her father
had fallen indeed, but he was not
Killed. lie lay on the barn hoor groan-
ing with pain, for his leg WAS broken.
MIR. "a. twright was an elderly man
who had pass-d his life IN teaching. He
had been principal of private academy
IN the town OF Monroe Yet, though a
good Instructor, he lad never learned
To manage his own money matters
wisely Abogt a year before his acci-
dent he had been obliged to give up
the academy and had moved into the
village of Glairnmott, hcpEg 10 be ap-
pointed teacher of the village school
He had been too late, though, In max
ing his application, and a younger man
had been given the place. The young
man, however, had not proved q sue
cess, and now, after twelve months OF
patient waiting, SIr. Cartwright had
been appointed to the position. School
was to open that very morning and
now lie had had this serious fall
''Oh, dear! oh, deari' sighed the
mother while the surgeon was attend
ing TO the Injured limb. I'VE WEI just
ON the point OF thinking ourselves COM
Portable again, and now this trouble
has come. II does seem as though We
move ont of Ons trial right into All
other; thoTgh | suppose it's all ordered
right or il wouldn't lie SO, and what
ever is To become of the children to-day
I'm sure | can't tell"
Mandy looked out Of the window
which Commanded view OF the village
street, and saw the children assembling
before the school-houSe door. The
news of the accident had not reached
them Some one must go and tell them
about 1t, and that some one must be
herself. She reached upward for her
hat which WAS hanging on the wall.
Her father from the adjoining room,
saw the movement. He called his
daughter to his side.
MANDY, couldn't you act as my sup
ply to-day! 1 think you could teach
very we'll"
1t was a good deal to ask OF a 16-year
old girl who was just recovering from a
sudden fright.
Mandy, though, was one of the sort
who are ready for emergencies. She
had a remarkable amount of self-pOs-
session Tor one of her age. Probably
the reason for this WIS that her mind
as well as her body had been carefully
trained She WAS strong giri in every
way. When size swept room she did
| 1t thoroughly well When she studied
a lesson she mastered it. Her father
had taken great pains in teaching her.
AMI he WAS justly proud of the result.
| Without moments hesitation
Mandy ran down the hill Oh which
their house wiIs standing, and was pres
emily among the group of waiting chill
ITeu.
My fathers had bad fall and can
Not come to school, she announced;
''wiIl you let me take his place?''
"Yes, yes, yss," they answered in a
confused murmur. 1t was evident that
Mandy WAS popular among the boys
and girls.
I'm most glad the old man fell, -
one boy whispered 10 another. I'D
rather have her for u teacher any day"
lie was the leader OF the school and
his opinion was worth something. AT
least, SO they all thought
"Do you think they'll let her stay?
whispered back the one TO whom thi,
confidence had been impaired.
'Well, hope so. Let's all do the
best We can To help her"
Mandy mounted to the platform and
rang the teachers bell. AS she stood
there bringing the school TO order nC
one c,u uld have called her pretty. et
she had kind, pleasant face, with q
winning smile which WAS always ready
To beam upon anyone. No doubt that
was the secret or her popularity. FOL
the rest, she had clear complexion,
bright gray eyes, brown hair, with q
rather large nose and broad mouth.
Wouldn't you like To begin with
singiug?" she asked In cheerful yoic,
tina: gave no hint of her own anxieties
Yes, yes, yes, the children an
swered as before.
"Then We'll sing a verse that l like.
1t Is this. / Will first teach you the
words and then the tune.
ITO do to others rs I would
That they should do to me,
VIII make me honest, kind and good
As children ought to be-"
The words were quickly learned, an,
the tune almost sang itself Mand.
read the Bible and they all repeated
the matchleSS prayer, "Our Father
who art in Heaven" After that, spell
ing, reading, arithmetic, recess, geo
graphy, writing, grammar. Every DO.
and girl knows VIII { a busy day II Wa
and how fast the hours flew by.
At four o'clock the scholars wen
home and reported. At seven O'clOcl
there WAS a meeting of the school com
mirtee
81 move,=' said one of the number
"that Mandy Cartwright be allowed q
fill her fathers place until lie Is able t.
take it himself. She seems to hav'
made hit to-day"
II second the motion" said another
and they all agreed that this MAS III
best arrangement; they could make
The next morning when Mandy ap
peared before the school she felt a trim
taller than the day before. and severd
years older no doubt. But size va
not girl to put on airs, even thoug
she had so Unexpectedly arrived at th'
dignity of schoolmlStreSs.
She open with the same verse tina
she had taught her pupils on the pre-
ceiling day:
ITO do to others as l would
That they should do TO me-"
"ChIldren, said she, "that is th
only rule We will have while L am you
teacher. think that If We all try
obey It We shall have very ple;.Sai
school, don't youp'
"Yes. yes, yes" they answered i
, their own vigorous way. Aud they a
, tried and the school was the best on
in that part OF the country.
Indeed, Mandy was so highly success
fuI that when her father recovered I'll
committee persuaded him TO teach !
, another district" ;" in order that Mand
. might continue To teach their own 10y
, and z rls.
Who ever before heard of teache