The Republican., 1899-09-28

young man is physical tOrce, or the rear
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, I'm not big enough
to frighten them, and as nothing else
seems to answer the purpose | am hav-
ing rather a 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
1 wanted to make a good record so l
could retain the place, as J am fond of
teaching and would prefer making a
living in that way to any other. |
presume, however, that th~ school com
mittee won't want me another term un-
less l can manage somehow TO keep
better rorder-and if they dismiss me I'm
sure | don't know what 1 shall do"
"Well, Miss Ellis, if l were in your
place, | shouldn't be at all discouraged,
Keep on doing the best you can with
your school, and | will get around as
often as possible and assist you in
strengthening matters out in case |
find it necessary to do so. l think |
shall be able to visit your school three
times a 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-
. h, or,
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
luxuries. but for the bare necessities of
life. Mr.. Gordon was very polite and
kind to her, it was true. but probably
not more 40 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 a 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-the day when perhaps she
1 l. II, 10 -
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
a 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
con1ings as a 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 We're
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 if they did not, she felt that she
could not blame them. 1t would be
only what she deserved. She was too
weak. too soft-hearted, to teach school
School had been dismissed for the day,
the scholars had all gone home, and
as Miss Ellis was following out this
train of thought and clearing up her
desk preparatory to taking her depar-
ture she suddenly exclaimed:
> "Oh dear. I'd give anything if were
only a mani"
just then a quick step crossed the
, threshold and a CHEEKY voice sung out:
''Fie, fie, Miss Ellis, what a wish that
is! But, of course, you don't mean it. -
''Of course | do, though | didn't in
tend you to hear me, Mr.. Gordon" re.
sponded Miss Ellis, blushing wildly as
she turned toward the speaker. I'm
sick and tired of being only woman.
'Why, | wouldn't have you anything
else for the world!" exclaimed Gerald
Gordon, moving a step nearer and ear
nestly gazing down at the troubled face
before him. Only woman, you say.
but to me you are the dearest, sweetest
and best little woman in the whole
world, and | need you just as you are >
a few moments later, as they were
walking slowly homeward side by side
she glanced shyly up at the stalwart
lover upon whose arm she was leaning
and said:
"A dreadful suspicion has just come
into my mind Gerald. | believe you
proposed to me out of pity, because
because I'm a failure as a school-teach-