Middletown transcript., 1895-08-03

II 1T'W Ts,t VERY bad ;,ss s'1s No
self-evident; for all day long she hs
snapped and scolded, and "shaken up
both boys and girls on the slighte
provocation, until every one of ht
pupils voted her ''the biggest Gran
that ever was.'
, The solemn old school-clock was th
object of much solicitous attention
that day; and when at last the hand
denoted the hour of four, Miss Blak
speedily dismissed her charges, closet
her desk with a resounding bang, ant
then started homeward, first stoppin.
at the schoolroom where her cousin
Nettie Leith, instructed large mum.
ber of our future men and women.
She found Nettie engaged in clearing
up her desk; and when she had finished
both teachers went home together.
"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"
swell, Pm notl' returned Harriet.
decidedly; ''I'm just as cross as bear.
This is the very worst and most dis
agreeable place in the whole country.
and the people in it match the townl
I'm tired and disgusted with both; and
don't see how you can be so 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 Pm sure teaching school in a
country town is the worstl It's bad
enough to live here; but to teach SCHOOL,
-" and Harriet heaved deep sigh
of disgust.
why, Hattie, what has come over
you?" asked her cousin i'm amazement.
"You have a pleasant position, and
country school teaching isn't the
worst occupation in the world, by any |
"Well, if there is anything worse 1 |
should like to know it," snapped Har-
riet. "You hayn't any ambition,
Nettie, and SO you don't mind; but Pm
1ifferent, and 1 am tired Of this ever.
asting drudge, drudge. and of teach
ng lot of stupid children, and pleas
ng their ignorant parents. They don't
anything one does, any
way"
II don't quite believe that; for the
'eople here are as intelligent as they
re anywhere, and take unusual in
crest in education. Why, lots of them
raise me and my school much more
han I Deserve"
"Of course they dol You are always
o pleasant and agreeable to everyone
GU see. But as far as am concerned.
can't for the life of me be agreeable
lot of stupid villagers who are for
YER poking about in the schools when
1ey ought to be minding their own
usiness. They take everything for
ranted, and expect a teacher to take
much interest, and fuss as much }
yer the pupils as though they paid her
thousand dollars year; and I won't
} it, that's all. The sooner can get
1T of Dalton the happier shall bel"
included Harriet, decidedly. h
81 suppose you are going to the con- y
rt tonight" asked Nettie, after a
'use, thinking to turn the converse I
on. q
"Why, of course. You are too. are t,
u not?" v
81 did intend to, but 1 can't now, il
r Jack Windy is coming over, and g
am going to help him with his studies.
has been sick so long that be is be- W
nd, so l told him 1 would help him b,
ong. l had forgotten all about the
ncert when promised; but don't N
ant to disappoint him, so l am not tc
ing" n
"You silly grill" burst forth Harriet.
sn't it enough if you do what you tt
9 engaged for, without spending all b:
ur spare time over school matters nj
to the bargainp 1 don't do a bit B
ore work than 1 have to, and I am CO
1T as well off as you, though you are ne
ntinually studying and working.n to
Harriet teased and expost ulated, but be
,ttie refused to break her promise; SC
Harriet went to the concert, and ne
d such ''good time" that she for
all about her troubles. he
Harriet Blake and Nettie Leith were tr,
lsins. Both had graduated from in
academy in the neighboring city W,
Bradford, and shortly after had be- ru
n teaching school In Dalton, which a
IS country town of two or three hi
,usand inhabitants. Both girls th
re very young and of about the same ha
3. One was as ambitious as the tel
Ter, but the ambition manifested it.
in different ways: in Harriet by wi
ltinual castle-building and flights of Wis
agination, and in Nettie In a more an
Ictical manner. me
fhe months glided by, and Harriet tai
8 as discontented and grumbled as no
ch as ever, and continually found me
1t with Nettie because her cousin
uld persist sin making a slave Of Hs
self for nothing" ''What is the "a
of studying and reading SO muchP" an,
rriet often asked. "I'm sure you an,
w more than enough to teach your bit
ool. and no one appreciates it, any an,
:, -