Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1896-11-07

a School. TEAcnER RATTi.EI

1890 NAAA1 oSS NtS SpCHulnE q
few weeks with some friends at Mont
Alto, Pa. One morning, it was Sat
urday think, shortly after breakfast
there came an independent knock at
the diningroom door. Immediately
the door handle was turned and in
walked sturdy country lad, about
twelve or thirteen years old. Be-stow-
ing upon each Of us grin. which
supposed was his habitual abbrevia-
ton of good morning." he at once
calmly proceeding to comfortably es-
tablish in the seat nearest the FIRE.
He extended his hands to the blaze
well, jennie Mrs. X. asked "did
your mother send you to tell me any
thing ~ "Yes, ma am why ma told
me to come and tell you that she is
sick and cannot come to do your
washing on Monday. but will try to
come Tuesday morning early, and
Mrs. X, she said for me to please ask
you If you could lend her a dime to
buy some sugar over at the store 7"
Mrs. X cast meaning smile upon US
as she took out her pocketbook. Are
you sure, Johnnie, that your mother
wants it, or is it you that would like
to have it 7" she asked with a smile.
81 would mt mind having it myself.
Mrs. X, but honestly, it is for ma.
You can ask her THAT sounds
honest enough" laughed Mrs X,
but here is nickle for yourself.
Will that do" Thanks, yes, ma am.
What is the matter with your mother
jennie ?"
why ma. she has the rheumatic
in her arm, but says that she will be
all right soon. She has the tooth
ache, too, right back here in this
tooth, he explains, tearing his mouth
open with his finger in order to illus
trate. Again we exchanged smiles.
Aren't you afraid you will be late
for school, Jonnie?" asked Mrs. K,
smiling.
why, don't you know we don't
have no school on Saturday." ex-
claimed Johnnie, looking surprised at
the questioner and refusing to accept
the bait offered. He kicked his feet
together for a minute then began
again. Say, Mrs. X, did you see
me going past your house from school
yesterday, before the others were let
out?r
why, no jennie. l hardly believethat
/ noticed you. Did your teacher9'
Eyes mann he sent me home. Oh,
my, but / had old F ratified. but it
was his own fault "Tell uswhy he
became ratified jennie, won tyous"
well. old wanted me to say a
speech; told him that | only knew
one and he would mt want me to say
that. Yes do want you to say it, !
he said. l knowed he was a-gettin
mad for when old yells that way we
allus knows what's comm and"
"And did you say it, Jonnie9' Mrs.
X broke in "Say it?p he cried,
well, ! just guess did. Ny. didn't
/ get him ratified though. He was
going to beat me at first, but he
changed his mind and he told me to
go home and he would see me on
Monday. But l amt afraid of him
and you just bet he won't whip me
for pap is one of the committeeman
and he will put him out if he does and
he knows it too, and"
"But jennie, what was your speech
about, that it should make your teacher
so angry Won't you tell it to us and
then perhaps you had better go for
your mother will want the sugar.
Now let us have it." Johnnie took
his hat from off his foot and pulling
it over his ears, walked to the door,
turned around and began
"Oh Lord of Love,
Look from above,
On this poorechool of scholars,
We've hired fool,
To teach our school