The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-01-02
SCHOOL DIPLOMACY.

On a morning in the early part OF De
cenber, in the year 1876. % or so pu-
pills, comprising boys and girls Of differ
snt ages, Were standing in front Of n
country schoOlhouso iii central Illinois
They were awaiting their new teacher.
who was on this day 20 open tine winter
term of school
The young people We're all engaged
in conversation. There We're many sPe.'-
ulatioIs a. T. the appearance Of tho PEI
son who had been intrustcd with the
tuto-ship OF the rising generation in
district No. 6. Numerous opinions We're
expressed as 20 the success y failure Of
the forthcoming term
y short distance from the main body
of pupils five big boys were congregat-
ed These talked in earnest tones. Tho
oldest as we'll rs the largest OF the
group was Sam Gaines, a coarse Eoncd,
robust looking fellow of 20 years He
was the center Of attraction and did
most Of the speaking. 1t was evident
that his comrades looked upon him as
sort Of leader.
The directors Of this deestrict can't
hey much Of an eye for bizness, - saiu
sam Las winter we cleaned out three
:trappin schoolmastcrs. The year before
we licked one man and sent him away
with scars and bruises. while three wO-
mon left a-bawliE. Now thcy hcy hired
ciy belle. and ] s'P0sc shc is badly
stuck up but reckon well sD1n show
her tie ways Of deestrict No. g -
''Yoa just bet your life, " said John
Sanders, who was III size ranked next
to Sam IF the purity girl doezn' know
the history Of No. 6, she Will be treated
70 a fire s'prisc party"
Suddenly 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 80 a glance that she was endowed
with keen intellect.
The pupils craned their necks - catch
q glimpse Of the newcomer. who was
Miss Laura Thomas. the teacher Tho
yonng lady bowed eraciously to all and
smiled sweetly. Then she hastened into
the schuOlhOuse.
Having arrived IN the schOolroom,
Miss Thomas seated herself in the arm
chair behind the teachers desk and
looked around with the greatest ccmpO-
sure. She knew full well the Gnsay0Ty
reputation Of the school which sho was
gboat 20 manage. Sho had learned ero
she signed her contract with the direct
Ors how her predecessors had fled from
their duties III confusion. Indeed she
had been warned by the very men who
employed her 80 consider carefully the
step she was taking Bat this caused
her little concern. She apprehended no
difficulty. Her heart was filed with
confidence.
The pupils came into the house and
eyed the instructress. 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 ono i'll the group. Finally she
arose and approached Sam
Mr.. Gaines, will you be so kind as
to bring in bucket Of water?" she ask
ed, with 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 eterquette,
There's nothin funny about that, as l
can 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
/ to converse with him alone for mo-
ment Waving all the other pupils
away, she spoke to Sam in low voice
1T is quito an undertaking 20 teach
this school. she said. ''Thers i r..--.s