Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-09-01
. New Teacher at District Four
By Alice Waldron.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,

u unuSual amount OF DuStle and
confusion in the kitchen at the Mason
home. There was such hubbub, in
fact, that Mrs. Mason declared, when
she stumbled for the third time over
Jimmy, who was trying to separate
his overshoes from the varied assert
ment behind the stove: "You never'll
get any breakfast, Bill, if you don't
make these young ones get out of my
way"
The kitchen was low room, rather
large, but seeming quite small on ac-
count of the many things crowded
into it. The rough, unpapered walls
were decorated by few bright-col-
ored picture cards and a calendar un-
der the clock shelf. In one corner
hung gray wasp's nest, still
fastened to the branch where it had
been built. Newspapers, with their
lower edges irregularly notched, were
tackled up to the windows for cur
tains- A row of caps and overcoats
were suspended from nails in the wall
by the door. In the center of the
room was the breakfast table, with
the red cloth spread
Mr. Mason. a tall, angular man.
with a stubby red beard and great,
hairy, brown hands, was combing his
hair before a cracked mirror.
Jim, come round to this side of
the stove. Molly, can't you set the
table for your mother?" he said, turn
ing TO girl of about IA, who sat on
fhe edge of chair slowly twisting
She ends of two yellow braids around
her fingers.
I'm lacin' my Shoes" she said,
seized with sudden industry.
Just then the door opened and Bud
came in.
Bud was big. stalwart boy of
about Il. built like his father and of
the same complexion. He looked at
the table and scowled as he pulled off
his coat.
Amt breakfast ready, ma? Wen
be late TO school, / reckon"
Il guess you won't get back seat,
anyway" said Billy, looking up from
his place on the floor where he was
rummaging an old wooden box for his
pencils. Joe and me are going to get
there first. and Tom Pierce will be
there too"
After breakfast the confusion be-
gan again with increased violence.
1T was the first day of the winter
term in the district school, and all
the boys had neglected to hunt up
their books and pencils until the last
minute, but at last all were off.
When Miss Gertrude Wells. the new
teacher, came up TO the school house
that morning she found small bow.
with his shining dinner pail In one
bare, blue hand, and slate in the
other, shivering in the shelter of the
school house steps. She smiled as
she drew near. Good morning. You
are n little early, are you not? Come
In and Wen see if we can have fire
pretty soon," she said while she I'M
locked the door.
Silence and frozen grin were the
boys only answer, but he followed
her into the house, put up his pail
and cap and, placing his slate on a
desk, came and stood by the stove.
Miss Wells was slight, young-look-
ing girl, with a pleasant mouth and
merry blue eyes. Little locks of red
dish-brown hair curled around her
high forehead, and her neat, dark suit
of smooth cloth was in excellent con-
trast to her white skin. She took off
her wraps, then lighted the fire. Soon
1t was roaring up the rusty pipe.
After a little time the other pupils
began to come. The boys, with their
high topped boots and shining faces,
and the girls, with neatly braided hair
and freshly starched calico aprons.
There was a decided preference for
back seats, and those who got them
arranged their books In triumph,
whispering behind their hands.
Miss Wells said very little beyond a
pleasant greeting to each as he
came in.
At exactly nine o'clock she tapped
the bell for silence.
Bud Mason did not have a back seat,
but sat In front of Billy and Joe
Moore, who were triumphant. No
sooner was the teacher engaged with
the little ones than Bud turned
around and whispered:
Say, you boys, whatn you take
and trade seats with me at recess? ''
Nav" returned Billy, 1--WE don't
want to trade for nothin'."
"This Is a lots nicer seat for you.
It's so much higher. You can't write
back there"
lncredulity was written on the
smaller boys faces. Nor pull Lucy
Whites hair" added Bud, making q
suggestive motion towards the short,
taffy-colored curls touching the top of
the desk.
Joe giggled, and the teacher turned
around. Bud was sharpening his slate
pencil noisily. Joe was looking into
the desk with q very red face and
Billy's pencil scratched busily across
his slate.
The number class was reciting be-
fore Bud had another opportunity to
return to business. Say, I'll give you
everything I've got in my pocket II
you'll trade"