The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-10-07

THAT has any effect on that sort of
young man is physical force, or the fear
of physical force. The fear of it an
swers as well as the reality in most
cases, as l have found in my expert
ence that boys who behave in that way
are invariably towards at heart"
mo doubt you are right, Mr.. Cor
don, but, you see, Pm not big enough
to brighten them, and as nothing else
seems to answer the purpose i am hav-
ing rather hard time of it trying to
keep them within bounds.
Il wouldn't care so much, but this is
my first term at school teaching, and
/ wanted to make good record so
could retain the place, as am fond of
teaching and would prefer making a
living in that way to any other. 1
presume, however, that the school COM
mittee won't want me another term un-
less l can manage somehow to keep
betterorder-and if they dismiss me I'm
sure don't know what shall do"
''Well, Miss Ellis, if 1 were in your
place, shouldn't be at all discouraged.
Keep on doing the best you can with
your school, and i will get around as
often as possible and assist you in
Strengthening matters out in case I
find it necessary to do so. think l
shall be able to visit your school three
times week, or perhaps oftener for
the present, and if there is anything re-
quiring my attention at any time trust
you will not hesitate to let me know"
And during the rest of that long sum-
mer day, and the many long summer
days that followed, that dingy little
schoolroom somehow grew brighter and
brighter; but even in the sanctity of
her own chamber, with only her con-
science for confessor, pretty Ethel Ellis
dared not whisper to herself what it
was that had caused the change.
She was only a school teacher strug-
Cling for living, working hard, not for
Injuries. but for the bare necessities of
life. Mr.. Gordon was very polite and
kind to her, it was true, but probably
not more SO than he would have been to
any woman situated as she was.
Sometimes she had thought there was
something deeper than mere friendship
in his looks and tones, but no doubt this
was only her fancy.
Nevertheless, the mere fact that he
had come into her life as friend and
counselor brought brighter smile to
her lips and a sense of contentment to
her bosom. If things could only run on
so forever she would be perfectly con-
tent and happy. But she dreaded the
awakening day when perhaps she
should be weighed in the balance as
teacher and found wanting, separated
perchance from the companionship she
had learned to treasure, and the work
that she still loved in spite of its draw
backs, and with shattered hopes turned
adrift in the world to sink or swim, as
fate might will.
The school term was fast drawing to
q close, and as yet no word had come
to Miss Ellis regarding an engagement
for the term to follow. For some time
she had been in daily expectation of
hearing from the school committee, but
as day after day passed and no mes
sage came to her she began to fear the
worst.
None knew better than she her short
comings as teacher, and how utterly
she had failed in checking the turbu-
lent element in the school until it had
been awed into reluctant submission by
the frown of the new superintendent.
Since his advent she had succeeded in
keeping better order, but there were
times even yet-too many of them, she
sadly realized-when the school got be-
yond her control and gave her many
uneasy moments.
Though she had done her best, she |
Felt that her teaching that first year
had been far from success; but she
hoped, oh, how eagerly she hoped, that
they would give her another trial!
But it they did not, she felt that she
,ould not blame them. 1t would be |
,nly what she deserved. She was too
weak, too soft-hearted, to teach school.
school had been dismissed for the day,
he scholars had all gone home, and
IS Miss Ellis was following out this
rain of thought and clearing up her
lesk preparatory to taking her depar-
ure she suddenly exclaimed:
"Oh, dear! I'd give anything if were
My a mani"
just then quick step crossed the
threshold and CHEEKY voice sung out:
''Fie, fie, Miss Ellis, what wish that
5! But. of course. Won don't mean If ;,
"Of course l do, though / didn't in
end you to hear me, Mr.. Gordon" re-
pended Miss Ellis, blushing wildly as
he turned toward the speaker. I'm
ick and tired of being only woman"
"Why, / wouldn't have you anything
lse for the world!" exclaimed Gerald
'ordon, moving step nearer and ear
estly gazing down at the troubled face
efore him. "Only a woman, you say.