Morris tribune., 1895-08-28
A REWARD OF MERIT.
BY A. j. sTEMPLE.

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, ano
shaken up" both boys and girls on
the slightest provocation, until every
one of her pupils voted her 1.-THE big
asst crank that ever was.
1.-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
at the schoolroom where her cousin,
Nettie Leith, instructed large num-
Der of our future men and women.
She found Nettie engaged in clearing
up her desk; and when she had nm
ished 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"
''WelI, 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
town! I'm tired and disguised with
both; and l 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
deep sigh of disgust.
why, Hattie, what has come over
you?" asked her cousin in amazement.
s'You have pleasant position, and
country school teaching isn't the worst
occupation in the world by any means
''Well if there is anything worse I
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 l 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.
''I 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 more
than deserve"
''Of course they dol You are always
SO 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 a teacher to take
as much interest, and fuss as much
over the pupils as though they paid
her thousand dollars a year; and I
won't do it, that's all. The sooner I
can get out of Dalton the happier
shall be!'' concluded Harriet decidedly.
81 suppose you are going to the con-
cert tonight" asked Nettie, after
pause, thinking to turn the conversa-
tion.
''Why, of course. You are too, are
you not?"
81 did intend to, but can't now, for
Jack Windy is coming over, and N am
going to help him with his studies.
He has been sick so long that he is be-
hind, so told him I would help him
along. had forgotten ali about the
concert when | promised; but I don't
want to disappoint him, so Fam not
going"
You silly grip 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 a bit
more work than 1 have to, and am
just as well off as you, though you are
continually studying and working"
Harriet leased 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. GE
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 a 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
more practical manner.
The months glided by, and Harriet
was as disconnected and grumbled as
much as ever, and continually found
fault with Nettie because her cousin
would persist Gin making 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 rap
came to the door, and she admitted an
elderly gentleman whom she had never
before seen. That day Harriet had
what. she called "a blue streak" and
to show her independence, and her con-
fAmnt for visitors in roparo1 ord