Morris tribune., 1895-08-28

|
itor entered.
Nettie was in the midst Of hearing
an arithmetic recitation, when, in re-
Spouse to n knock, she admitted gen.
tleman who was total stranger. She
greeted him courteously, and then
went on with the recitation; but never
before had class recited so wretched-
| ly, especially before company. The
subject that day was az new one, and
the pupils seemed utterly unable to
grapple with some of the mysteries OF
fractions. Seeing this, their youthful
teacher said: 1.-THE class does not seem
to understand the lesson very well, so
will try to explain the subject so that
all may understand and remember
and thereupon she explained the lesson
SO clearly, and went to the root OF
matters so thoroughly. that even those
scholars who "hated arithmetic" grew
interested and understood. So abb
sorbed was Nettie in her work that she
l forgot all about her visitor, who was
intently listening to every word, and
whose face was positively radiant with
delight as his eyes swept over the
scene. He remained and heard several
other Rotations with no abatement OF
interest, and after complimenting
Nettie and her school he took his leave.
Ibid strange, elderly gentleman
visit your school to-day?" asked Nettle
! of Harriet as they were going home.
eyes; countryman that I have
never seen before was in" returned
Harriet, "but l paid no attention
to him, and he did not stay long. No
| one seemed to know who he was; prob
ably stranger in town, who didn't
know what else to do to while away
the time"
A few weeks after this Nettie sud-
denly rushed into Harriet's room, and
thrusting a letter into her cousins
hand excitedly said: "Read that!" And
this is what met Harriet's wondering
eyes as she complied:
BRIGHTON, July 10, 1894
miss NETTIE LEITH, Dear Madam: A va
cancy has occurred in the West school of this
city, and il agreeable to you, would like to
have you accept the position, beginning with
the coming term. The salary is one thousand
dollars a year, with the usual vacations ADJ
wise me at once whether you accept, for there
are numerous applicants; but make you this
proposition after seeing your work In your
present school Yours truly,
John NoURsE, Supt."
why, Nettie Leith!' exclaimed Har-
riet when she had recovered from her
amazement. ''What lucky mortal
you are! congratulate you heartily.
How wish were in your shoes! That
Mr.. Nourse is one of the greatest educa-
tors of the day, and there is no telling
how high you can get now that you
have such a splendid opportunity in
the city. When did you get this golden
letter."
''Just little while ago; and I never
was SO surprised in my life I couldn't
believe it was meant for me-"
"Just your luck! When did Mr..
Nourse visit your school? You never
told me thing about it," returned
Harriet, reproachfully.
THAT is just what troubles me-"
thoughtfully replied Nettie. II have
been thinking and thinking; but he
was never in the school that know of.
But--why, Hattie, / wonder if it could
have been that elderly man whom no
one knew? He visited your school,
too, you remember; and that must
have been Mr.. Nourse. He visited my
school several times after that. but he
never limited who he was"
THAT was surely he, and l thought
he was nothing but an ordinary coun-
tryman," groaned Harriet. HE was
in hit 10
I was i'll humored and was positively
rude to him, and he soon left. What
fool l was! / might have impressed
him as favorably as you have done;
but this is only another case of it
might have been," and Harriet al
most shed tears at the thought.
81 remember now of reading some
where that Mr.. Nourse had habit of
visiting schools where he was I'M
known, and of studying teachers and
their methods. In that way he often
obtained his best instructors; but I
cannot understand why he should offer
me such a position" said Nettie.
Because you deserve it." returned
Harriet, kissing her cousin effusively;
land here have been scolding you,
and saying ugly things right along,
and telling you that you had no ambi-
ton. Yet, in spite of my Boosting
and much vaunted ambition, you have
risen above me. Serves me right; but |
can you forgive me for teasing you
sop
There is nothing to forgive, Hattie. |
l often grew tired and discouraged,
too; but would not give in, and made
up my mind to do the best I could"
'Well, know one thing" replied |
Harriet, decisively, II am going to re-
form and try your plan, and see if /
will fare as well as you"
And so it came about that as Miss
Nettie Leith, who was highly success
full in her new school, was reading her
favorite newspaper, she came across
this paragraph:
Miss Harriet Blake, one of the most
popular teachers in Dalton, has just
been appointed an instructor in Brad
ford academy. Miss Blake is still very
young, but her efficient and successful
work and methods have secured for
her the above desirable position"
A few days later Nettie received a
characteristic letter from Harriet, in