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

III tno oNhVNARoms
In tho evening Sam, who, breach his
homo. was obliged TO pass the house in
which tho teacher boarded, walked by
the side Of the latter and carried her
books aud dinner pail. Never before
had he paid such polite attention to a
tutOrcss.
The nezN morning he went to school
in a costume which differed wonderful
" from the one which he wore on the
previous day. He wore his best clothes,
his face was smoothly shaved, and q
bright polish was visible ON his boots.
"Holloi Here comes our dudep' cried
John Sanders when Sam arrived in
the yard. Just look at him, boys. Say,
Sam, what's the matter with you any
how7 What do you mean by layin us
poor fellows in the shade like this?'
"Oh, I just want to look respectable,
that's all, " said Sam. You soc we've
got a teacher who knows something
now for once, and / consider under
these circumstances that I should ap-
pear decent in tho fchoolroom."
Sans four big schoolmates laughed
heartily ut these words. They accepted
them as having been uttered in the
spirit of a jest.
"But. lenvin all jokes aside. when
do we begin operations?" queried John.
II don't understand you, said Sam,
feigning ignorance.
why, when are wo to take charge of
this school and run It to suit o~urselvesi''
explained John.
Boys, I'm not with you this term"
replied Sam.
"WhRtl You're not goin back on MS,
arc you?' a~nxiously inquired John.
you certainly don't propose to forsake
Us in this way. Sam, this is o capital
joke you're tryin to play on u.s."
"But ! am serious, boys, said Sam.
"I'm old enough to know how valuable
is an education. Miss Thomas is n good
teacher, and l spect to learn somethin
this term"
The school had been in session less
than 10 minutes whom John sent a pa
per wad flying across the room. An out
break Of laughter followed, in which
nearly all che pupils participated
Emboldened by this applause, John
threw several other balls. The teacher
detected him.
"Have you been throwing these paper
balls?" she asked, looking straight at
the perpetrator Of the mischief.
yep" coolly replied John.
"You may come forward with your
book and stand ON the floor, " firmly
demanded the teacher.
II reckon not, " said John.
You must obey my command, or ]
will be compelled to send you home"
said Miss Thomas.
II refuse to do either, " was the an
swer. ''I'll not stand on the floor, nor
will I leave school. I'll stay right here
and do as 1 please"
The teacher became alarmed. Her
face grew as pale as death, and her
frame trembled. She bent her head,
looked to the floor and reflected ON what
course to pursue.
Sam Gaines sat silent in his seat dur
ing this brief dialogue. When the sound
of Johns last words had died away, he
arose, took off his coat and advanced
toward the ~disobedient pupil His eyes
flashed, and his brawny arm was uplift-
ed.
go and stand on the floor or take
your books and be off, " he shouted In a
commanding voice. "Do you hear what
/ say?"
The teacher was aroused from her
m~editAtions and looked up. Then she
saw that John Sanders quailed beneath
the stern and angry gaze Of the one
time disturber Of the peace. Without
saying a word the offender quietly
walked forward and took his position
IN the floor.
From that day Laura Thomas en-
countered no further difficulties. The
big boys respected the will Of Sam, and
instead Of raoking their brains to invent
schemes with which to harass the teach
er they applied themselves vigorously
to their studies. Tho children made re-
markable progress, and at the close Of
the term folks declared that Miss Thorn
as was tho best teacher who ever taught
in district No Q.
After adjournment on the last day Of
school Sam fingered at the door. He
was waiting for tho slhoolma'am in or
der TINT he might walk home with her.
Soon a fashionably DRESSED gentleman,
wearing a silk hat, drove into the yard
In n buggy drawn by a span Of hand
some black horses. The teacher seemed
to expect him, for she Immediately gath
cred together her books, and after thank
ing Sam for his many acts Of kindness
left the room and got into the buggy.
Sam watched the vehicle with a looh
Of detection until it had entirely disap-
peared from view.
"Who is the young man who tool
the teacher away7' he inquired Of one
Of the older girls.
"Why, that Is her beau, Charlie Lay.
ton, " was the response. They are t
be married in two weeks"
Sam ground his teeth. and a shadow
passed over his face.
"Ef Ihad knowed that, " no said bit
terly, "Miss Laura Thomas last tern
Of school would ha' been broke up lonl
fore thiA "-Chicago News