The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-09-02

"Well, you jes' follow on down that road
there till you come to n school'ousc settin
by the road an that there's it
A short walk soon brought me to the
building. l found the door already un-
locked but no crowd of mischievous boys
hailed my entrance. No one was there but
a quiet little girl sweeping up kindling
chips.
"Your regular teacher will be unable to
be with you today, miss, but l will fill his
place with what ability l can command.
What's your nameY"
do not think ever saw any one look
quite SO surprised as that girl did then.
However, saw nothing very strange in
the matter and repeated
whats your name? 1 am to teach you
today"
"Alice Stanley"
"How old are you, ALICE"
Eighteen.
"Whewp thought to myself "She
doesn't look IA. D."
The desk as whole was quite con-
trast to jack study table at home
The last bell rang, and Alice Stanley
came in. / quietly remarked: 81 am to
take the place of your teacher today. viii
some one start songy"
Calling class Peter Thompson failed
10 come forward. l urged him to no avail.
took hold of Peters shoulder If COM
mands are not obeyed, use force. That's
my motto. Immediately Peter gave such
a yell as l never heard from mortal lungs.
/ spraniE back as if l had touched off n
mine. Peter did not desist, but to the first
burst succeeded an avalanche of blubber-
ings that came down like the cataract of
Lodore l reiterated in dismay, and Peter
halted with strange suddenness. He sulked
behind his apron, however, till recess.
Confronted with those five infants, the
query rose imperiously before my bewil-
dered mind, How in the name of Pestalozzi
do they teach children their letters? / took
the reader and pointed to the first letter of
the alphabet.
What is the name of that letter." 1 in
quired.
They gazed at me in stupid amazement.
"You surely know what that letter is.
Tell me at once said severely.
Munitions of rain in one or two eyes.
Alice Stanley's hand goes up.
Question, Alice?''
"Please, sir, teacher uses the word meth
Cd"
The word method? What might that be?
My course in college SO far had contained
no information on that point. Perhaps it
was in the scientific course. To cover my
confusion l looked at my watch. 1t was
far past recess time, and rang the bell
measured off just five minutes for the
recess. Time was precious if the morning
programme was to be completed Prompt
ly at the expiration of the time l rang the
bell, and as the astonished company hus-
tied back to their seats l noticed Peter
Thompson's place vacant.
Where is Peter"
"He went home crying"
"Said he'd tell his ma"
"Said he warn't goin to no old school, 4"
volunteered dozen voices. 1 summoned
"B geography" This was q class of in
termediatc grade, whose lesson for the day
was Africa.
Right here the door opened wide, and in
it stood little bit of woman, with a sun
bonnet on her head and a mop in her hand
and the cloth frozen stiff. She painted, with
one hand on her heart where's the
| schoolmarmy''
He could not be here today. 1 take his
place Is there anything can do for you,
ma'amY May l ask your nameg'
"1'm Missus Thompson. My poor little
/ boy just come home a-cryin as if his little
heart would break, an I'd just like to
know who's been misusin of him. I'd put
the law on 'em, would! Pretty COINS on
in schoolhouse, must say Oh, there
you are, Miss Stanley Why amt you in
your proper placer
Mrs. Thompson, may see you a mo-
ment in the lobby?'' asked Miss Stanley
while stood entirely dumfounded
"S'pose you may"
While they went out 1 got my hat and
overcoat and put them on. My brain was
] l. tel nl...A II
all, there was certain air of maturity
about her. And that Dekeleial And the
giggling / was fool AS got into the
| lobby-how l know not-Mrs. Thompson
was departing with broad grin on her
face. Miss Stanley held out her hand, with
several roguish dimples playing hide and
seek about her cheeks
Pardon me, / thought at first some
one was trying to play "a trick on me
through you, but 1 fear now have been
the trickster. l was quite tired and dis
couraged this morning. If you were a
teacher--pardon me for imagining that you
are not--you would know how glad l was
| to rest and hear some one else teach and
learn how" This last was added slyly.
When she had directed me across the
fields, lifted my hat and walked off. As
Miss Stanley entered the schoolroom 1
heard tumultuous clapping and cheering.
l plunged tiercely on, reviewing the
mornings experience with burning cheeks
whose fires were none the cooler by the
time reached my cousins school, which
also, 1 noticed, was fronted with a big
elm.
AS went nearer the unmistakable buzz
of a school in session greeted my ears.
Wonderingly raped at the door 1t open
ed, and 10, Jack
How'syour TOOTH" savagely said /.
"Might as well own up. 1t was all a
trick. / came out here and hid. was
going to hear you teach all the morning
and then disclose myself. The boys were
in the secret, but when you didn't come
the joke was on me. Where have you
beenf''
But that never told-Detroit Free
Press.