Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-02-13
S'PRISED THE TEACHER.


window was lined with them; the coun-
ter was piled with these airy nothings.
Such a medley of cupids, arrows, golden
hearts, and flowers peeping through the
dainty white and gold lace; and, last of
all, the sweet verses under these mani
fold beauties. No wonder the dainty
maidens looking in caught their breaths,
and with one voice exclaimed, Lovely,
lovelyl"
the next instant, like sudden raw
Of sunlight, they burst into the shop.
Mr.. Popham, the stationer, a pale, thin
little man, who always looked as if he
were cold, began to think it was pleas
ant day after all.
ooh, choose this, and I choose this;
just see-isn't this lovely! I choose
this!"
How the heads bobbed and the hands
daintily lifted one after another, bright
eyes still spying new delights. Mr..
Popham began to feel a warm glow
about his heart that spread and spread
until he was so comfortable. The wrin-
kles began to smooth out of his face,
his shoulders came down, his crooked
fingers relaxed and looked comfortable,
like the rest of him. Mr.. Popham was
about to have fine trade.
1t had been cloudy, chilly day, few
people had stepped in to the stationer's,
but had not bought anything. He had
been growing colder, his wrinkles tight
er, his shoulders higher, and his fingers
more crooked, all day; now he would
have fine trade. Every one of those
dear little maids would buy a valentine,
some more than one, perhaps. One, two,
three, four, five of them; five valentines,
sure; perhaps seven. HIM! that would
be
Would they ever stop choosing? Sud-
denly the voices ceased, and only one
was to be heard, in half whisper. AS
Mr. Popham was rather deaf he began
to frown; he couldn't hear a word. Then
they all began to whisper and tilt about
on their toes, and smile and hold their
hands over their mouths; and how they
did bob their heads! What tantalizing
misses! Then, if you will believe it,
every mothers daughter of them tip-toed
out of the shop, bobbing, skipping, and
chattering until they disappeared from
sight.
Never was Mr.. Popham more disguised
I'm his life. He climbed upon his high
stool and looked at his book where he
had expected to make such q nice little
entry, and drew himself up into such
tight bunch, he looked like little hump
backed dwarf. It was very cloudy, dark
and. chilly, indeed.
The next day was St. Valentines Day;
chillier and darker than the day before.
In q certain school-room sat the five
little maids, each with q book before
her. The teacher was having q hard
day of 1t. Five pair of eyes constantly
roved from the books to the teacher,
from the teacher to the door, and then
exchanged meaning glances with each
other. Five pair Of feet kept up con-
tinual restless shuttle, and kept the rest
Of the school in confusion.
The teacher had no idea that certain
i've were the cause Of this, that looked
to her like rebellion. She watched all
day. but could not tell which one or
ones to punish. The more she COM
manded and threatened the worse they
acted. Ora Maurice, her best scholar
lone Of the five), failed in geography.
The idea Of her being so stupid as to say
when asked what were the principal
products OF Massachusetts, -Valen-
tines
Miss Wade, the teacher, was neither
P10bty HUI oWcct-echpcTcus Dut Sne OlQ
try to teach them, and the parents all
agreed they-the scholars never
learned 80 much in one term before.
Would it never be four o'clock? Miss
Wade pressed her hands to her aching
head. That ceaseless, rasping hustling
had set her nerves on edge, and the
bold, disobedient eyes Of the inattentive
children were enough to aggravste
saint.
At last the climax came In the shape
- . little. Tat, red-haired, freckle-faced