The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-01-11
SCHOOL DIPLOMACY.


pills, comprising boys and girls of differ
ent ages, were standing in front of
country schoolhouse in central Illinois
They were awaiting their new teacher
who vas ON this day to open the white
term of school.
The young people were all engaged
in conversation. There were many spec
ulations as to the appearance of the per
son who had been intrusted with tn,
tutorship of the rising generation in
district No. 6. Numerous opinions wert
expressed as to the success or failure Of
the forthcoming term.
A short distance from the main body
of pupils five big boys were congregat-
ed. These talked in earnest tones. The
Oldest as we'll as the largest of the
group wa Sam Gaines, q coarse boned,
robust looking fellow Of 90 years. He
was the center of attraction and did
most of the speaking. 1t was evident
that his comrades looked upon him as a
sort of leader.
The directors of this deestrict can't
hev much Of an eye for bizness, I" said
SAM. Las winter we cleaned out three
strappin s~choolmasters. The year before
we licked one mar and sent him away
with and bruises, while three wo-
men left a-bawlin. Now they hev hired
a city belle, and / s'pose she is badly
stuck up, but l reckon we'll soon show
her the ways of deestrict No. g."
You just bet your life, - said John
Sanders, who was in size ranked next
to Sam eff the purity girl doesn't know
the history of No. 6, she will be treated
TO a fine s'prise party"
Suddenly a girl made her appearance
in the yard and walked briskly toward
the schoolhouse. She was perhaps not
more than Is years of age, slight of
stature and handsome. One could per-
ceive at a glance that she was endowed
with q keen intellect.
The pupils craned their necks to catch
q glimpse of the newcomer, who was
Miss Laura Thomas, the teacher. The
young lady bowed graciously to all and
smiled sweetly. Then she fastened into
the schoolhouse.
Having arrived in the schoolroom,
Miss Thomas seated herself in the arm
chair behind the teachers desk and
looked around with the greatest compo-
sure. She knew full we'll the
reputation of the school which she was
about to manage. She had learned ere
she signed her contract with the direct
ors how her predecessors had fed from
their duties in confusion. Indeed she
had been warned by the very men who
employed her 60 consider carefully the
step she was taking. But this caused
her little concern. She a~pprehended no
difficulty. Her heart was filed with
confidence.
The pupils came into the house and
eyed the in~structress. The big boys es-
pecially regarded the schoolma'am with
expressions of mingled curiosity and dis
dain.
Miss Thomas studiously inspected the
latter, as If attempting to single out a
particular in the group. Finally she
arose and approached Sam.
"Mr. Gaines, will you be so kind as
to bring in a bucket of water?'' she ask
ed, with q smile. ~
The manner and wording of this
speech completely amazed the big boy.
He nodded assent, and grasping the buck
ct hurried away, followed closely by
his four companions, who snickered
loudly when they were on the outside.
"You stop your laughin, " said Sam,
displaying considerable embarrassment.
This girl understands eteruuette.
There's nothin funny about that, as / |
III see.
When Sam returned to the room, the
teacher heartily thanked him. At the
same time she seized the opportunity to
inform the young man that she desired |
70 converse with him alone fer o mo-
ment. Waving all the other pupils |
away, she spoke to Sam in q low voice. |
1T is quite an undertaking to teach !
this school, - she said. There is much
hard work before me, and / would like
to do it well. have taught school for
TWO years, and my efforts have always
been crowned with success. This will |
be my last term, and ! should greatly
regret making o failure. 1t would be q
terrible humiliation. There is n wav
by which / a succeed 1t is By your
ald. With Your help it will be an easy
task to teach this school. I take Won to |
be q gentleman, Mr.. Gaines. May not
hope to have your unqualified co-opera-
tion.'i
Sam Gaines looked admiringly into
the beautiful face before him, and his
eyes met the girls, which imploringly
rested upon him. He was deeply moved
BY the eloquent plea. He began to feel
Q genuine pity for the teacher, and when
be gazed at the frail form his compass
sion was emphasized. The marked con.
sideration which Miss Thomas had
shown him also took effect in another
direction 1t produced in Sam d senti-
nnent OF profound respect for the young
lady.
III have always been unruly in
school, he said, land many ii the
teachers MS hev feared me. But yon ap-
pear like q lady, and as far as / am con.
ceyned you shall hey no trouble. And
mebbe y can even assist you In keepin
1890 x~w&sM& Al & Y. wo&n - n~al-mA