St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-03-21
Jess.

playing school with number of Other
children. Jess was not the teacher; but
che seemed to be the teachers ready as
sistant, for she arranged the scholars IN
their seats, hunted up books enough tc
90 around, and then helped the babies o.
the class to sit still while the opening ex
ercises were gone through with. The cal
ahead of the one that was in had run
off the track, bringing ours to stand
still right near the spot where the chill
dren were playing. So passed the time
pleasantly watching the progress of the
school.
"Celie Brown will take bad mark for
getting up" said the teacher, looking
sternly at very little girl.
Celie's lips quivered; and she seemed
lust about to burst into tears, when less
came to her rescue.
"Oh, she's such a wee bit of a thing.
Miss Bardeen. You'll excuse her this
time, won't your"
less put her arms around the child as
she spoke; and the caress, added to the
tender words, soothed the wounded feel
ings of the little one.
''Well, this time, then; but she mustn't
get up again." was the softened reply.
"Our new teachers coming tomorrow :"
remarked another girl. II wonder if she
will be kind"
Mamma says that teachers are al
ways kind to good children, but I'm lust
as anxious to see her as can be-"
I'm going to get to school early in the
-.,o.-;nu m coo her e got
II can't do that" said Jess, because
| help mamma wash the dishes before
CO."
Scholars will stop talking" COM
manded Miss Bardeen.
At that moment another small girl ap-
peared on the scene, and looked wistfuliy
at the group.
Suppose we let her play" coaxed Jess.
There amt enough books" argued
Miss Bardeen.
"She can have mine," said less. 81 can
look on Jennie's."
very well. Come on, then, Kate Brod-
erick but l do hate scholars to come in
at this hour"
So Kate smilingly took her place in the
class. Then two little sisters made dis
turbance by attempting to play game.
please, Miss Bardeen, may sit be-
tween Alice and Sarah Miller" less
asked aloud; and, in tone meant to be
a whisper, but which plainly heard, she
added, They doa't know they mustn't
play together in school, and it's the best
thing to do"
"All right"
So quiet was again restored, only to
be broken this time by myself. Finding
that the cars were not likely to go on for
several minutes yet, l thought perhaps
could walk the rest of the distance.
Therefore. | lett the car, and. going up
to the children, inquired. "Can any of
you tell me where Mrs. Hastings lives ?"
Miss Bardeen turned very politely to
me, and answered, Right at the corner
of Willow street. It's on your left, and
is large white house"
Thank you. but how am to know
Willow street? Shall l find the name
anywhere
Would you like me to go with you and
show your" asked Jess timioly. at
might save you some trouble"
| thanked the little girl for her offer,
the young teacher excused her and we
started down the street. On our way we
passed a good-sized brick building.
rs that your schoolhouse ?" Inquired.
Eyes, ma'am. It's very nice school,
too; and in our class we're expecting
new teacher tomorrow"
ut does look like a pleasant place.
Are the scholars as pleasant as the build
Iing?"
II think So" the child answered readily.
"All those children you saw on that
sstoopgo to that school, except, of course,
the babies. There's Ida Bardeen, the one
that's playing teacher, she is very nice
sgirl and smart, too, smart as can be.
And Sally Mills, she never misses her les
sons. Then Josie Matthews can do her
arithmetic like anything, and Susie Will
&liams is beautiful reader. Altogether,
1--WE have pretty nice set OF children in
&this neighborhood. l think the new
Teacher will like them. Don't you?"
Probably she will, " answered. But
ware none OF them naughty"
We'll, not to say real bad" she said
Slowly, as if she wished to speak the
truth without talking against her COM
sPanions. "Of course some have faults,
put they mean to be good"
n And how about Jess?"
The child looked up in surprise at the
mention of her name She was not
aware that l had been an audience of
apne at the opening of school. At last
she replied:
n Mamma says that I'm only COM
n n1ocnpIace little girl that can't do any
y nllng extra well, so must make up for
~ by being very good"
III And are you good? ?"
q l try to be-" she answered softly;
out sometimes it's hard, though"
we had reached the large white house,
enc as turned to go in l said % 1t was
Eery Kind OF you, dear, to walk all of this
way with me, and to reward YOU I'm
folng to tell you secret. am the new
8eacher."
An expression of mingled establishment
fn9 delight came into the childs face,
~ then she said, II am so glad!" lust
elore going she remarked somewhat
pash'ully, as ii she stood little more in
I'VE OF me now that she knew was the
ssea!'eher, II think you will like our school
NJ very likely SHALL" / answered. But
Ia ,tnlng ! knew, l was sure to like Jess,
Et!n her kind heart, her contented dispo-
.e,on and the way she had of speaking a
-! 49, word for everybody. Sally's per-
~ N lessons, lda's brightness and Josie
stthews' skill in arithmetic would GER
sS ".n.y :. delight any teacher, but what