The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-06-05
MISS HOPES ROMANCE.

MISS HOPES ROMANCE.
And now gentlemen, since We have
finished the business of electing Il trus-
tee, il hehooves NE, as clerk of the dis
trict and Chairman at this meeting, to
speak of teacher for this ensuing
year. Indeed, it gives me great pleas
ure to inform our trustees that they
will have very little trouble i'll securing
the services of "A worthy and estimable
woman. The applicant Miss Amelia
Squabbs came to me few days ago
and asked me to use my interferencc
in her behalf. She probably meant
my influence, gentlemen. did not
quite engage her, but gave her TO un-
derstand that her mind might he at
rest on the subject. Miss Squabl,s left
her photograph to be presented To the
district at this meeting. ! consider it
and her manner extremely prepossess-
ing. Just the woman, gentlemen to
train the tender mind.
"Indeed ~
Mr.. Spicl1's terse remark expressed
50 much that Mr.. Sawyer was on his
feet again in moment.
"Don't feel prejudiced, gentlemen,
because she came to me first. Her face
shows that she has had experience
with boys and girls, and | feel conf
dent she may be able To civilize some
of the wild Indians in this district"
''Indced ~
This second Indeed issued from
the lips of Mr.. Spike, who owned two
of the said wild Indians.
"Yes," continued Mr.. Sawyer, un-
mindful of the interruption, "our
school has been degenerating for the
past five or ten years, until the chill
dren in il are the most demoralized sci
to be found i'm the whole county.
They are ignorant, saucy, bad"
''Have a care, if you please. Saw
yer" spoke up Mr.. Black. "IOu are
speaking of our children, not your own.
We quite agree with you that the
school has not been rs good lately as il
might be. The trustees have not taxi
en as much interest in it a. they
should. We have allowed others in
the district to monopolize the duties of
our office. In the future the trustees
expect to hire the teachers themselves,
TO say what shall and shall not be
done, and to support the teacher in
every way iii their power. So you
may tell Miss Squabbs, the prototype
of this caricature of wOmanhoOd, that
we don't want her. We have Il treat
in store for the children. Dolly Hope
is to teach school next year"
\ murmur of surprise and disappro-
val filled the room, and a tall, buriy
man at the end of the room rose quick
ly.
''Neishbor, Pm safe to say you don't
mean the young gal rs lives over the
fields yonder?'
,"rhe very same, Dawson. What
have you to say against herr"
"Why, she's but a child, not older
than my Jemima. The children won't
obey her"
"Give them to understand that they
must obey"
"I do my best neighbor, but those
Youngsters are fuller of spirit than my
colts are. Pm half inclined To agree
with Mr.. Sawyer; get them teacher
they will learn To dread and have a
Wholesome fear Of"
The speaker was William Dawson a
wealthy farmer with a large family.
His wife was an invalid, and Jemima,
his eldest daughter, Il girl OF twenty,
ruled his home as best she could. He
sent six children 10 school, and that
left at home .Jemima and Robert n
handsome young fellow of twenty-five.
''Is this new teacher the young girl
who goes galiivanting round the coun-
try on big black horse ," asked Red
DIV, the father of another big family.
ayes, she rides horseback"
"She has just returned from Europe,
they say, and doubt not her head Is
filed with all sort of outlandish knowi-
edge. 4 common teacher would do
just an well"
"Why now, ! think we had better
give the young lady chance" spoke
ND ex-soldier Brown. al am glad for
my children's sake that we are to have
refined, college-bred and Travelled
teacher. She is stranger tous all.
Perhaps she will do better than some
of YOU are inclined to think"
"Oh, yes, Brown; to he sure you
have no fear for her, Your children
always do get the benefits. It's a fine
thing TO be favorite pupil"
Mr.. Browns face flushed, but he an
swered quietly:
"Yes, Pm glad my children are Ia
yorites. They are accustomed to ODE
dience and kindness ut home, and
believe they are also good in school
Mr.. Sawyer here arose, and making
his way to the door said:
"Gentlemen, the business of the
evening is finished. ] have helped the
school i'm the past all that ! could. II
Miss Hope wishes my advice III gave
it but the trustees have assumed th'
responsibility of hiring her, now thes
must support her. I'm done. "ooo
night"
And he passed out.
THAT is just what we mean 10 10
support the teacher, and if every ia'n
er here will impress it on his children
minds we won't have so many to expe
| ,axt month.v remarked Mr.. Brown