Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-02-13

mind his falling asleep over his primer
and setting the school into . litter.
These things were not intentional. The
broad. gOod-natured smile, and q look
from the honest blue eyes won his par
don. But he let his book fall, the ex-
plosive report causing her head to snap
with pain, and then giggled like an idiot.
he half rose from his chair and looked
out OF the window at some chance
passer-by, pointing for the rest of the
school to look, holding his hand over his
mouth and giggling more idiotic-like
stlu. Then Miss Wade felt that she
could not and would not endure any
further naughtiness from this democrat
lied school; and when every scholar half
arose and stretched his or her neck, she
was fully decided. Some one must be
made an example Of; here was q good
chance.
Sammy Porter"-in sternest tones.
At this critical moment knock came
at the door. Miss Wade smoothed her.
face as best she could and answered the
knock.
There in the doorway stood Mr.. Pop
ham, the stationer, bowling and smiling
in very summerish way. He placed a
package in the wondering teachers
hands.
Il was requested to deliver this to
you, miss. Yes, miss; to you, miss. A
fine school you have, miss. Yes, miss;
a fine school, miss: Good-day, miss.
And with another bow and flourish he
disappeared.
The teacher walked slowly back to the
desk and would have laid the package
one side. All at once she noticed how
still it was. Had the scholars jumped
out of the windows while she was at the
door? She looked up; there they sat in
their proper places, motionless as stat
ues. Every eye was fixed on her with
a strange earnestness; even Sammy for
got that moment to smile.
Miss Wade's hand began to tremble;
she slowly cut the cord, removed the
wrapper, and, behold! blue and gold
covered book. Pnems; LongfellOw's
poems. She turned the leaves. What
nice clear print. What fine illustrations.
She turned to the blank leaf to look for
a clue to this mystery. There was
pinned pretty valentine. Inside that
was written in the large, even letters Of
book-writing copy:
with our best love. Long may you
teach in the school-house on the hill"
No name.
1t seemed an age to the waiting schol-
ars that the teacher bent over the book.
At last she looked up. Every eye was
sparkling, every face smiling.
"Hurrah for teacher!" shouted the
boys, and the girls clapped their hands.
Sammy popped up and down like jack
in-the-box, his face fairly shining with
delight.
Hush, said Ora, at last. Teacher
is going to make speech"
Miss Wade leaned heavily on the
hand resting on the desk as she stood
before them. Dear children" she be-
gan, in very unsteady voice, then she
sat down, hid her face on the desk and
cried.
The children were silent and gazed at
her with awe-striken eyes. Who would
have supposed that teacher" ever cried2
Poor Miss Wade! She would not have
wept on any ordinary occasion. She
would have accepted the gift with one of
the sweet smiles that even the crossest
teachers hold in reserve, like choice
preserves to be brought forth for COM
pany, and made neat little speech to
express her thanks.
If her head hadn't ached so hard all
day; if she hadn't been so cross; if she
hadn't thought such hard thoughts Of
the scholars; if-oh! if she hadn't been
about to ferule Sammy! No wonder she
cried.
Sammy wriggled about like an eel,
grew very red in the face, and stared
with anxious perplexed eyes at the
teachers unaccountable actions. Then
he marched bravely up to the platform
and stepped near enough to just touch
her with the end of his finger by bend
ing his body as much as he safely could.
Say, teacher, amt you glad?" A
scared look flew into his face as he spoke |
and touched her; but when she looked
up, his eyes met hers with the familiar,
fearless, honest gaze, minus the good
natured smile, however. Even force of
nature and habit was not strong enough
to conquer his trepidation.
She made motion he did not under
stand and did not have time to dodge.
She clasped him in her arms and kissed |
his freckled cheeks. you dear boy! |
and to think I came so near whipping |
you'll" The girls came trooping forward
then and she kissed every one of them.
The boys held back shyly.
Come, boys. wish to take each one |
Of you by the hand.
Sammy had recovered his equilibrium. |
He stood on tip-toe with eagerness to be !
heard.
Say, teacher, Ora begun it. She said,
4 choose teacher for my valentine
Then the rest wanted to choose you,-I
the rest in the store, you know. Susie
Tucker told me all about it. Then Ora |
thought Of having one big valentine, and |
they went all around last night to tell |
the school, and this noon they bought it.
We all choOsed you, teacher" Sammy
stopped out of breath; then with q gasp
finished, and that's how we s'prised you,
teacher. Monthly.
WHATEVER regret is felt for the
death of the heir presumptive to the