The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-04-01

Why, he would arrive at the school
every afternoon for weeks running
and leave his pony standing, with ITS
shaggy head hallway in the door,
while he took up his position beside
the teacher, and gravely regarded the
boys and girls.
"Well, Charley, how's your school ?"
the Squire would ask, if he happened
to meet his son returning from the
village. Coming on finely, eh?
Learning readin', writtin' and 'rith.
metic, and sewing into the bargain2 ?"
And then the Squire would roar,
laughing; for he thought it huge
joke the interest the little Squire took
in the village school.
Even the schoolmaster, Mr.. Finch,
spoke OF the school over which he had
presided for fifteen years as the little
Squire's school. But many and MANY
time the good man said to himself :
Hes fine, manly little fellow, the
little Squire; but I'm feared he'll be
spoiled. 'Iisn't more'n human nature
that the little Squire should be spoiled,
with the Squire himself willing to run
at the lads beck aud call, almost, and
the children here at the school fairly
worshiping. A fine, fine lad; but It's
a pity" The schoolmaster said all
this, however, before certain occur
renee and its sequel down at the little
Squire's school.
This is how it was. The little Sqnire
stood as straight as O soldier in front
of long line of boys and girls. He
held spelling book in one hand and
a ruler in the other; the little Squire
was fond of slapping the book with the
ruler. The schoolmaster was smiling
as he sat idle at his desk.
The little Squire turned back the
leaves of the spelling book and gave
ont the word "Bowl |"
Seated at the head of the bench,
with her eyes fastened upon the little
Squire, was little faxen-haired girl
wearing queer, voluminous frock and
skimpy print apron. She was an
odd-looking, eager little girl and she
spelled very quickly "B-o-l-l."
"That isn't right" said the little
Squire -...,.
The little girls face grew red and
white by turns, a bright CLEAN came
into her blue eyes and she showed one
dimple in her left cheek.
"Ann Elizabeth" called out Mr..
Finch, in warning tone.
"Next," cried the little Squire.
"Bo-w-l, bowl" said the second
little pupil, emphatically.
$50 head" ordered the little
Squire. Then he looked at Ann Eliza,
beth; she was actually muttering that
it wasn't fair.
you're a very bad girl, Ann Eliza
beth, said tho lad 81 think you for,
get who is teacher to-day"
Then Ann Elizabeth shocked every
one in the school. She burst into i'm,
pudent laughter
you're Il common girl, Ann Eliza
beth, q" cried the little Squire, energet.
ically; "aud / won't teach this class
any more till Mr.. Finch sees that you
mind your manners.
And with that the lad tossed the
smelling book across TO the teacher't
desk, darted out of the sehoolhouse,
mounted his pony, looking uncon
cernedly into the room, and rode
away in high dudgeon.
'I'm astonished at you, Ann Eliza
beth, " said Mr.. Finch, sternly. 81
was under the impression that you
were well-behaved girl"
The spelling class was for the most
part dumbfounded; but still that dan,
gerous dimple showed itself in Ann
Elizabeth's left cheek, and still heI
eyes cleaned.
81 know Pm common girl" said
Ann Elizabeth, as she trudged home q
quarter of an hour after the other
children "but l know it's worse tc
call person what they is than what
they isn't; and know that word boil
was right. I'll be even yet with the
little Square"
About a week later the little Squire
overlook Ann Elizabeth as she was
walking along the lane. He rode very
| slowly as he came up to her, for ht
wanted Ann Elizabeth to beg his par
don; he wanted to give out some more
lessons at his school. Then the shaggy
little pony of its own accord stood
still by the side of Ann Elizabeth.
; The little Squire lifted his cap ant
said "Good-morning."
, Ann Elizabeth eurtesied.
81 know I'm a common girl, Squar,
Charley, she said suddenly
Ihereupoa the little Squire, wis