Griggs courier., 1895-08-30
A REWARD OF MERIT.
BY A. j. STEMPLE

BY A. j. sTEMPLE
The pupils of a certain school IN the
little town of Dalton did not need to
be told that their pretty young teacher.
Harriet Blake, was in very bad humor.
That fact was self-evident; for all day
long she had snapped and scolded, and
s.shaken up" both boys and girls on
the slightest provocation, until every
one of her pupils voted her 1.-The big
Rest crank that ever was"
The solemn old school clock was the
object of much solicitous attention
that day; and when at last the hands
denoted the hour of four, Miss Blake
speedily dismissed her charges, closed
her desk with resounding bang and
then started homeward, first stopping
1t the schoolroom where her cousin,
Nettie Leith, instructed a large num-
Der of our future men and women.
She found Nettie engaged in clearing
up her desk; and when she had fin
1shed both teachers went home to-
gether.
"What has gone wrong to-day, Har-
riet?" asked Nettie, noting her com.
panion's clouded face. "You don't
seem to be in very good spirits."
"Well, I'm not!' returned Harriet,
decidedly; 'I'm just as cross as a bear.
This is the very worst and the most
disagreeable place in the whole coun-
try, and the people in it match the
towni I'm tired and disgusted with
both; and don't see how you can be
contented in this dismal prison. The
country is the doom of every ambitious
person, and it is nonsense to imagine
that one can accomplish anything in
It; and of all things I'm sure teaching
school in a country town is the worst!
It's bad enough to live here; but to
teach SCHOOL," and Harriet heaved a
deep sigh of disgust.
''Why, Hattie, what has come over
you?" asked her cousin in amazement.
''You have a pleasant position, and
country school teaching isn't the worst
occupation in the world by any means" :"
"Well if there is anything worse 1
should like to know it," snapped Har-
riet. "You haven't any ambition,
Nettie, and so you don't mind; but I'm
different, and am tired of this ever
lasting drudge, drudge, and of teach
ing lot of stupid children, and pleas
ing their ignorant parents. They don't
appreciate anything one does, any
way.
II don't quite believe that; for the
people here are as intelligent as they
are anywhere, and take unusual inter-
est in education. Why, lots of them
praise me and my school much moro
than deserve"
''Of course they do! You ore always
20 pleasant and agreeable to everyone
you see. But as far as am concerned,
! can't for the life of me be agreeable
to lot Of stupid villagers who are for
ever poking about in the schools when
they ought to be minding their own
business. They take everything for
granted, and expect teacher to take
a. much interest, and fuss as much
over the pupils as though they paid
her thousand dollars year; and I
won't do it, that's ALL The sooner I
can get out of Dalton the happier
shall bel" concluded Harriet decidedly.
II suppose you are going to the con-
cert tonight" asked Nettie, after q
pause, thinking to turn the converse
ton.
why, of course. You are too, are
you not?"
II did intend to. but can't now, for
jock Windy is coming over, and I am
going to help him with his studies.
He has been sick so long that he is be-
hind, SO told him would help him
along. I had forgotten all about the
concert when promised; but I don't
want to disappoint him, SO am not
going"
''You silly girl!'' burst forth Harriet.
''Isn't it enough if you do what you
are engaged for, without spending all
your spare time over school matters
into the bargain? I don't do q bit
more work than I have to, and I am
just as we'll off as you, though you are
continually studying and working"
Harriet teased and expostulated, but
Nettie refused to break her promise;
so Harriet went to the concert, and
had such good time" that she for
got all about her troubles.
. Harriet Blake and Nettie Leith were
cousins Both had graduated from the
academy in the neighboring city of
Bradford, and shortly after had be-
gun teaching school in Dalton, which
was q country town of two or three
thousand inhabitants. Both girls were
very young and of about the same
age. One was as ambitious as the
other, but the ambition manifested it.
self In different ways; in Harriet by
continual castle.building and flights
of imagination, and in Nettie in a
more practical manner.
The months glided by, and Harriet
was as discontented and grumbled as
much as ever, and continually found
fault with Nettie because her cousin
would persist sin making a slave of
herself for nothing" ''What is the
use OF studying and reading SO much?''
Harriet was asked. I'm sure you
know more than enough to teach your
school, and no one appreciates it, any.
way"
= One lovely day in early summer,
just as Harriet had dismissed one class
and was about to call another. a rar
came to the door and She adniftod ar