The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-04-24

lleit were VIII ScuOlulS III lHul SCHOOi'
The girls, well-grown up romps, who were
almost without exception, handsome, and
who knew it. A nice time, fair-haired,
blue eyed, gentle young Harry Mum was
to have with them. lie guessed that as he
arose at his desk on the first morning.
Five young men and one elderly woman
had departed from that school house
vanquished, and now he headed the forlorn
hope--a man not five and twenty yet,
with a collegiate education, sensitive feel
ing, and no physique. He knew nothing
about girls. His two demure sisters might
not have been of the same race, for all the
likeness there was between them and those
romps. And they were so pretty, especially
Violet Raynor, the worst romp Of all
In those first days they tried all their
old tricks; hid their slate pencils and
heated his, chaked faces on the blackboard
and wrote rhymes in the copy books.
Passed some simple answer that everybody
knew up and down the class Talked, ate
apples, and cracked nuts. Wrote him IA
love letter, which they signed with the
name of the late deposed spnster and sent
it to him by Il small child, who arrived in
schooltme. Set flies ON the wing with
paper slips tied to their legs. Tripped
over his toes and apologized. Overset his
inkstand on purposes and did thousand
other such impish things.
He kept thinking that Violet was the
prettiest girl he had ever seen. She looked
50 good and sweet, too. How could she
Join in these frolics? And indeed she was
not as bad as the rest, and once or twice
actually behaved beautifully.
Violet certainly could be charming, if
she chose. She, on her part, secretly
thought the teacher very handsome and
very pleasant. She was seventeen, and old
enough to thi TX OF handsome men with
some interest. His delicate manner and
gentemanly habits pleased her, and she
would have behaved herself in ladyike
the girls had resolved not to give in to
any young man teacher. They were proud
OF their horrible conduct and when she
had endeayored to do well had tainted her
with being cowardly. Violet could not
yield TO her better impulses dared not.
And then she knew very well that the
young teacher admired her and under
such circumstances, it became sort of a
triumph to hold out ''lIe'll think I've
taken fancy to him if ! give in" said
she. And in the queerest spirit of defiance
she fairly led the riot from that moment.
Henry Mum found this very hard to
bear, but he had no intention of giving in.
One by one he conquered the girls The
small ones he switched on their palms As
a last resort, the older ones were consigned
-dinnerless-to long lessons, or had pri-
vate lectures, which shamed them into
decency.
OF course he did not wish to switch
Violet She was young woman. Nor
did lectures have any effect on her what
ever. She giggled and pouted, and played
some trick on him ten minutes after At
last one day her outrageous sauciness be-
came more than he could bear, and he
determined to endure it no longer.
He waited until she was quiet for "A
moment-she was drawing caricature of
him-and arose at his desk
Miss Violet Raynor," he said.
=, ~
your eyes?"
Miss Violet Raynor,' repeated Mr..
Mum, II have come to a conclusion con
corning you
"Ah!' said Violet; sis it possible"
''Iou are demoralizing the school, Miss
Raynor," said Henry; Setting Il bad and
unladylike example to every one here.
When such scholars are found in the part
came from it is customary to expel them.
Therefore | now eNpel you. Take your
hat and books and leave this room, and
never enter it again while am teacher"
Violet Raynor stared at him in amaze
ment; she laughed.
"I'll 20 when I'm ready, Mr.. Mum,
and come back when please she said
81 suppose you forget who | am--that
am Col Raynor's daughter, and that no
schoolmaster can turn me ont of school,
Mr. Mum arose, went to the wardrobe,
and took down the coquettish hat and
sacque and parasol, carefully deposited the
books in the neat strap, and handed them
to her.
PUT your things on, Miss Raynor" he
said, ''and allow me to open the door for
you, unless, indeed, you prefer to apologize
and behave henceforth in manner that
shall not disgrace the school and yourself"
"Apologze," said Violet, who began
to tremble, rejecting on the questions that
would be asked at home. II certainly will
NTTfA a From US.Journn, ~ Iie3,rine
~ "A Prof. w. II. Peeke, who