Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-01-18

'.What! You re not goin back on us,
are you?'' anxiously inquired John.
'You certainly don t propose to forsake
us in this way. Sam, this is capital
joke you re tryin to play Oh us. -
"But I am serious, boys" said Sam.
"I'm old enough to know how valuable
is an education. Miss Thomas is good
teacher, and I spect to learn somethin
this term.
The school had been in session less
than 5 minutes when John sent pa
per wad flying across the room. An out
break of laughter followed, in which
nearly all the 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
I book and stand on the floor, - firmly
demanded the teacher.
81 reckon not" said John.
"You must obey my command, or
will be compelled to send you home, ="
said Miss Thomas.
81 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 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 John 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.
$50 and stand on the floor or take
your books and be off, - he shouted in a
commanding voice. ''Do you hear what
I say?"
The teacher was aroused from her
meditations 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 word the offender quietly
walked forward and took his position
on the floor.
From that day Laura Thomas en-
countered no further difficulties. The
big boys respected the will Of Sam, and
instead of racking their brains to invent
schemes with which to harass the teach
er they applied themselves vigorously
to their studies. The children made re-
markable progress, and at the close of
the term folks declared that Miss Thorn
as was the best teacher who ever taught
in district No. 6.
After adjournment on the last day Of
school Sam fingered at the door. He
was waiting for the schoolma am in Or
der that he might walk home with her.
Soon fashionably dressed gentleman,
wearing silk hat, drove into the yard
in buggy drawn by 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 look
Of detection until it had entirely disap-
peared from view.
"Who is the young man who took
the teacher away?' he inquired of one
of the older girls.
"Why, that is her beau, Charlie Lay
ton, - was the response, 'They are to
be married in two weeks. u
Sam ground his teeth, and a shadow
passed over his face.
"Ef had knowed that" he said bit
terly, "Miss Laura Thomas last term
of school would ha' been broke up long
fore this. Chicago News.