Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-08-30
SCHOOL DIPLOMACY.

On a morning in tho early part of De-
Uember. in the year 1879. 25 or 80 pu-
pills, comprising boys and girls Of differ
ent ages, were standing in front Of q
country schoolhouse in central Illinois.
They were awaiting their new teacher,
who was on this day TO open the winter
term Of school.
The young people were all engaged
ia conversation. There were many spoc-
ulations as to tho appearance Of the per
sOn who had been intrusted with the
tutorship Of the rising generation in
district No. s. Numerous opinions were
expressed as to the success or failuro Of
the forthcoming term.
A short distance from tho main body
Of pupils I'VE big boys were congregat-
ed. These talked In earnest tones. The
oldest as we'll as the largest Of the
group was Sam Gaines, a coarse boned,
robust looking fellow Of 20 years. He
was the center Of attraction and did
most Of the speaking. II was evident
that his comrades looked upon him as a
sort Of leader.
"The directors Of this deostrict can't
hev much Of an eye for bizness, " said
Sam. Las winter wo cleaned out three
strappin schoolmastors. The year before
we licked one mar and sent him away
with scars and bruises, while three wo-
men left a-bawlin. Now they hev hired
a city belle, and I s'pose she is badly
ak-rfr 80 kak Il wa,Hr1r, -vvaflI ao1~ ok.w.
her the ways Of deestrict No. g."
"You just bet your life, Z" said John
Sanders, who was in size ranked next
to Sam. 'If the purity girl doesn't know
the history OF No. @, she will DO treated
to a fine s'prise party"
Suddenly a girl made her appearance
in the yard and walked briskly toward
ths sChoolhouse. She was perhaps not
more than 18 years of age, slight Of
stature and handsome. Ono could per-
ceive at o glance that she was endowed
with q keen intelleoG
The pupils craned their neoks to catch
q glimpse Of the newcomer, who was
Miss Laura Thomas, the teacher. The
young lady bowed graciously to oil and
smiled sweetly. Then she fastened into
the s~chOolhouse.
Having arrived in the schoolroom,
Miss Thomas seated herself in the arm
chair behind the teachers desk and
looked around with the greatest compo-
suro- She knew full we'll the unsavory
reputation Of the school which she was
about to manage. She had learned ere
she signed her contract with the direct
ors how her predecessors had fed from
their duties IN confusion. Indeed she
had been warned by tho very men who
employed her 20 consider carefully the
step she was taking. But this caused
her little concern. She apprehended no
difloulty. Her heart was filed with
confidence.
The pupils came into the house and
eyod the instructress. The big boys es-
pecially regarded the sohoolma'am with
expressions Of mingled curiosity and dis
dain.
Miss Thomas studiously inspected the
latter. as II attempting to single out a
particular one in tho group Finally che
arose and approached Sam.
mr.. Gaines. will You be so kind as
to bring in q bucket Of water7" she ask
ed, with q smile.
The manner and wording Of this
speech completely amazed the big boy.
10 nodded assent, and grasping the buck
ct hurried away, followed closely by
his four companions, who snickered
loudly when they were on the outside.
lyon stop your laughin, " said Sam,
displaying considerable embarrassment
''This girl understands eterquette.
There's nothin funny about that, as
a see.
When Sam returned to the room, the
teacher heartily thanked him. At the
same time she seized the opportunity &c
inform the young man that she desired
20 converse with him alone for a mo-
menk Waving all the other pupils
away, she spoke TO Sam in a low voice.
''It is quite nm undertaking to teach
this school" she said. ''Thero Is much
hard work before me, and / would like
20 do it we'll. / have taught school foi
two years, and my efforts have always
been crowned with success. This will
be my last term, and / should greatly
regret making a failure. 1t would DO 4
terrible humiliation. There is one way
by which I can succeed. Il Is by You
aid. With your help 1t will be an easy
task TO teach this school. / take You Il
DO a gentleman, MIR. Gaines. May no
hope to have your unqualified co-opera
tion2"
Sam Gaines looked admiringly int,
the beautiful face before him. and hi
eyes met the girl's, which imploringly
rested upon him. he vas deeply moves
By the eloquent plea. He began to fee
. genuine pity for the teacher, and whcl
he gAzed at tho fail form his compass
sion was emphasized. The marked con
alteration which Miss Thomas hat
shown him also took effect in anothe
direction. Il produced in Sam a senti
ment Of profound respect for the younl
lady.
II have always been unrnly Il
school,, T" he said, land many Is Oh
teachers ~ hsV feared me. But you ap
pear like a lady. and as far as ! am con
oerned you shall hev nc trouble. AM
msbbo ! can oven assist you In keepil
others quiet AtAny rhta you need no
b. afraid that you will be rudely treate'
whilo / an around. ."
Goarcely had the rupils been seate,