The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-05-22
INNOCENT OFFENDER.

a 4N4AOOZ4N4 NJ - AI4NOIlJs
The doctor, being young ana enthu-
slastic, had theory which be believed
be could illustrate and support by max
ing observations OF pupils ana the
methods OF teaching them, According
" much OF his spare time was spent
at the public school opposite his Of
ice. There the neat. blonde doctor, his
eyeglasses often falling and as often
being replaced, would wander, silent
and ooseryHnt. from room to room, with
notebook and pencil In hand.
The teachers allowed him to come and
70 without remark, and some few aid
ed him intelIlgently in Its work in par
tlcular Miss Hinton, a teacher Ia the
intermediate denartment. In her room
he had spent suficient dime to become
somewhat acquainted with the pupils,
so that she, quite naturally, included
him II the conversation which he
found her holding, one midwinter day
az recess, with slender, sWcet-faced
visitor.
''Doetor," said Miss Hinton, Il must
introduce you to Mrs. Hamilton. Mrs.
Hamilton q Richard Hamilton's moth
err
Now Richard was well known to the
doctor aa q very trying pupil.
''You viii beinterested, know" con-
tinued small, quick, gray-haired, alert
cred ~ Hinton. ssyon will be inter
egtea III what Mrs. Hamilton tells me.
She IS willing shall tell you, I'm sure.
Perhaps you can throw some light on
the case, doctor; confess am puz-
Eled. Mrs Hamilton assures me that
Richard, in preparing his lessons with
her shows both Qulckness and intelll-
rence. He Is her only child, and Is
her companion IN her botanizing and
IN a course Of history readings. And
yet Richard q ranked among the low
est ID the class because his Rotations
are vague and unsa tisfactory. Besides
that. he Is daily marked down in de-
pertinent for inattentiOn.
Mrs. Hamilton's fine, sensitive face
flushed, and she spoke In clear, bell
like voice: II am quite sure 1t is not
motheriy blindness on my part At
home Richard Is both quick In under
standing aud IN learning his lessons.
His father has been so mortified about
the bad school reports that ! always
..s.=esseF the next days lessons with
Richard, and he seldom fails In a reel
tation. And yet he tells me himself,
for he Is very honest boy, that his
Rotations at school are all poor. He
SAYS. too, that he daily fails in deport-
ment because OF seeming inattention,
though he tries to be attentive"
ssThats queer" said the doctor.
aAnother thing" saad Mrs. Hamil-
ton. have noticed that when the
lesson turns on any rule explained at
school, his memory OF It IS always SC
faulty that we have to turn back to
the rule ana 60 ever II together"
Miss Hinton showed much concern
What he tells you Of his class stand.
ing q true,s she said, yet he does
NOT always seem wilfully inattentiVe
/ have sometimes noticed him sudden
II awake from his dreamlness, and give
a reply that startles me by Its clear
ness and accuracy. / cannot account
Tor Il :,
perhaps It may be tiifidence," said
Mrs. Hamilton. "He has been so much
alone with me" But here the ring
ing Of a bell interrupted.
Ahl recess Is over," said Miss Hin
ton. aAIrs Hamilton, won't you stay
during q recitation and judge for your
self?"
.sThank You, think / will" sait
AIrs Hamilton, Whereupon the doctor
nodded approval. and taking the thlrt
chair upon the platform, prepared him
sell 10 listen also,
As the class Of boys fled In, rosy ant
breathless from play, Richard Hamil
ton, a slender little lad, with sensi
tive mouth and worried brown eyes
gave a quick smile Of recognition to
ward his inotheF, and his usual,
dreamy, absent face lighted up witt
positive animation.
ma Is not difident, anyway,
thought the doctor, sgho had often NO
fieed tha eonscioaspesa and eHibarrass
cnt displayed By children on the DC
ions dff parental sisits to thei
school
Now Miss Hinton. "a her quick, aler
shfon. called the class for q lessor
Is American history She talked al
e noFed. rapidly and her enuncia
tIen Iaet ea cicasness, but she gave TIT