The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-04-27
A TEACHERS VICTORY.
'She must be courageous youn

manage the school, there must be but
poor look. out for slip of girl. What
can she do with Terence O'Reilly, should
like to know?'
''Put it the other way children. What
can she make Terence do for HERO
"Give it up grandma" The mocking
young voice took a tender undertone cone
of your riddles, | SUPPOSED
A giIl, leaning upon the sill of an open
upper window, colored and drew back
an involuntary listener.
SIS it to he so hard, them she said to
herself 81 wonder if could find out the
riddle"
The solution seemed anything but easy
next morning, when Terence O'Reilly
slouched to his seat in the school room-a
big boy, taller by nearly head than any
OF his mates, careless of dress and hair, a
slight cast in his eye adding something
almost sinister to the reckless expression of
his features. In Lettuce CAROLS short
experience as a teacher, she had never be-
fore enrolled a scholar at once so unpromis-
ing and so formidable.
The first day of country school is
usually difficult one, and Lettice found
this no exception to the rule. TO find ont
how much her children knew, and to
arrange Il EN- properly into classes. would
have been perplexing enough with all
aids of dociity and quiet, but she WIS
unpleasantly aware of "A spirit of latent
INSTRUMENTATION liable to break out at any
time into open disorder. The "storm
center of this uncertain atmosphere was
evidently Terence O'Reilly. He made
scant pretense of study, and Lettce scarcely
looked in his direction without surprising
eyclids. 1t was plain that he was a leader
among the boys. Was it possible to make
of him an ally instead of an enemy?
Four O'Clock came at last, and with it
the end of the afternoon session. Terence
heavy boots were Gathering through thu
doorway, when Lettice's voice recalled
him.
"Terence, | want to ask favor of you
she was saying, while he turned surlilN
about as if expecting reproof. 81 have
few little pictures in my trunk at Mrs
Wilson's, which want to hang on thu
school room walks. The children can study
better am sure, if they rest themsel"e,
sometimes by looking at something pretty.
But thu frames are too heavy for me t.
bring alone, and besides am ashamed t.
confess it-realv | cant drive nail with
out pounding my fingers! So | though
that, if you weren't to be too busy, perhap'
you would help me an hour before school
to morrow morning"
The boys hand sought his ragged cap
The sulen look upon his face was displaced
by one of pleased surprise
"I'll be there" said he. "WiIl brin,
along Il hammer and nails?
"If you please. And thank you ever so
much"
Promptly upon the stroke of eight, next
morning, Terence presented himself at MR.
Wilson'S door. He took the heavy package
from his teachers hand, and together the
two set off upon the road.
81 am 50 glad to have this chance for "A
quiet little talk with you, Terence" said
Lettice. because being my oldest scholar,
| must depend upon you so often. And
first. you who know the school so well, can
tell we whether | shall have to make any
rules, or not"
Terence's eyes widened with astonish
ment.
"Any rules?' he echoed almost stupidity
eyes. You see, it is so much pleasanter
not to have rules, if the scholars can be
trusted to do without them. Only we
must have order, of course. There was Il
good deal of noise yesterday, but it was
the first day, and we had not had time to
thoroughly at work, so | did not mind
very much. DO you think there will be
any more trouble?"
The boys Irish wit perceived the humor
of the situation. He smiled broadly.
'Well, ma'am, | should say there'd
likely be a heap of it!'
as that so?" said Lettuce. 81 am sorry.
1t must be because they don't understand
They were just crossing small bridge
which spanned clear, running stream,
as she spoke, and she continued with seem
ing irrelevance 81 think | heard one of
the Wilson boys speaking of the fine trout
in this brook. fancy you go fishing
sometimes"
YOU'RE right, | don' There was a
ring of pride in Terence's voice "There's
fine trout here, as ye say, ma'am; but
they're not so many or so foolish that a
Teller can walk up an pick 'em out with a
crooked PIN 1t takes science, tell ye, to
coax some o the big fsh out o their
holes.o
"And, l suppose. they are easily fright
ened?'
Frightened! Why, ma'am, We have to
keep as still as still! If we should let so
much as dry stick crack under your foot
the games up for that time"