The Iola register., 1891-05-01
CHIEDREN'S COLUMN.
INTERESTING. HUMOROUS AND L.
sTRtCTIvE ARTICLES FOR THE
YOUTH TO READ.
Reverie of Q School Desk.


Well, yes, l am somewhat the worse
for wear, but any desk that has been ia
use as long as have is equally batter.
ed. l am almost so years old and was
used first in a little school house in
Ohio. In those days desks were ez-
pensive articles, so there were only
three in the school room. The children
considered it great honor to be allowed
to sit at desk. When one OF the
scholars had been unusually good this
was the highest reward the teacher
could offer: l had a better position
than either Of my friends, for l stood
just under south window. and anyone
sitting by me could see out across the
road into the cool, dark wood beyond
which was quite refreshing view on
warm day.
Sometimes the children would have
spelling matches and the one who came
of victorious was allowed to sit at the
south desk" as il was called. How
well remember the first OF these con
tests,
Hester Allen. one Of the older girls,
had been occupying me for week, aod
as she made such excellent grades In
her studies. Miss Gray, the teacher
could think of no way to stop the mono
poly. At last one day she had an idea
| If there was anything Hester was weak
in it was spelling, and Miss Gray deter
mined to have a spelling match and
offer the south desk as a reward. That
afternoon she told the children her
plan and set the next afternoon as the
time Of the trial,
That night Hester took her spelIer
home with her, and heard her tell one
Of the girls next day that she studied
until 10 o'clock.
One OF the boys, named John Logan,
was the best speller in the school, and
| [ was afraid he would win. The words
we're hard. and many of the children
/ missed the first one, till at last only
| Hester and John remained. Miss Gray
gave out the word separate" John
/ spelled il with an ''e," and just then
| Miss Gray turned to speak to one OF the
Younger ceildren. Hester's book was
living on me and she took sly peep
/ into it while Miss Gray had her haeE
/ turned. No one saw her but me, and =
could not tell. so Hester had possession
Of the south desk again.
| The afternoon was close and sultry,
and somehow Hester did not feel great
/ Iv elated over her success: presently
she rested her head on her folded arms
and several hot tears fell on me. When
it was time for school to close she teft
80 uncomfortable that she would endure
It no longer. and after Miss Grey had
given them their reports for the day.
She iumped to her feet and in her I'M
petuos wav confessed the whole truth
/ The next day | was unoccupied, mz
John would not sit by me.
After-many years Hesters son came
to the same old school house. l easily
recognized the little fellow by the like
ness to his mother. He, too sat by me,
but it was not such an honor then, for
many new and handsome desks had
been put in. One day there was an ex-
hibitfon at the school and number OF
visitors were present. AT the cIo,e on
THE exercises a lady and gentleman
came to me and the lady said: on Johnl
Do YOU remember this old desk
Don't you know what time we chill
1ren used to have over it? | shall new
ar forget the spelling match IN which
IL cheated. 1t has always been a lesson
10 me. Iwonder il we could buy the
1esk, think should like to have IT
''You shall have the desk, Hester,
answered her husband. 1T will De q
curiosity. Look. here are my initials
ID remember the morning | carved them1
you were standing by eating an apple
and criticising my work. And, Hester,
will tell you a secret, [ missed thss
Sord on purpose that afternoon so you
could have the desk"
j When Hester finished her business IN
The country and went back to her city
home. | went too, and | now stand In
Ione corner of the library. | am not ex-
aetly ornamental. but everybody thinks
ne great curiosity.
ANNABEL n. MARRoE>