The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-28
GORDON, tn


- young-that Is, compara-
lively young, say not more
than 80 at the outside
and. for some reason best
known to himself, still a
bachelor.
He vas not what would be called
handsome man exactly, but he was the
rossessor of a graceful, well-knit figure
and a clean-cut, self-reliant face, from
which a pair of honest gray eyes look
ed forth unflinchingly upon the world
Just now they were looking INTO
pair as honest as his own--the troubled
blue ewes of Ethel Ellis. the teacher III
one of Peacedale's half-dozen schools.
Troubled was not their natural express
sion. but troubled they certainly were
at that moment.
II am very sorry. Mr. Gordon, that
Won should have heard such poor re-
ports of my school" she said, looking
the new superintendent frankly in the
face. Eyes, am very sorry, indeed
and the speakers eyes certainly
looked as If she meant it; in fact. Ger
aid Gordon was almost certain he de-
tected tear in one of them AT that
very moment---"but I don't think ii is
enough to keep order. and if the three
or four big boys who have made all
the trouble had a spark of chivalry or
manliness in their nature / should have
no difficulty in controlling the school,
but do you know, Mr. Gordon, there
are boys who simply won't behave, and
there is nothing in their makeup, no
sense of fairness nor justice no gem
tlpinanl,. "a CT al al N p
TO which one can appeal to induce them
to do SOP
"You put the case rather strongly
Miss Ellis" replied the new superin-
tendent. thoughtfully; "but, after all,
there is little doubt that you are right.
Such boys are natural born bullies and
towards as well. There is nothing
that appeals to them except good
thrashing. and you are almost 100
slender to attempt anything of that
kind"
'"Oh, ] shouldn't think of such a
thing, Mr.. Gordon. ! am too tender
hearted to punish my pupils. 1t would
hurt my feelings worse than theirs.
! am afraid, and if | cannot conquer
them by love ] shall have to give up
doing so at ALL"
YOU if | were one of your pupils" said
Gerald Gordon, with a glance of ad-
miration at the blue eyes before him.
The petite and attractive school,
ma'am smiled for the first time during
the interview.
I'm not so sure of that, she said.
archly. IF you were a boy again
and, of course. you couldn't be one of
my pupils unless you were-perhaps
you would be just as incorrigible as
any Of the rest of them
DO you really think so, Miss Ellis?'
Her blue eyes fell before the ardent
glance of his gray ones.
Well, II hope not" she stammered
Thank you" said he with a grace
ful bow. And now. Miss Eliss, if you
will ring the beu for the children 10
come in | will remain an hour or 50
while your classes are reciting and see
II there are any suggestions to be
made. Perhaps your unruly boys will
behave while ! am here"
I'm not so sure of that. They may
take advantage of the opportunity to
show off before a visitor. OF course
none of them know yet that you are
the new superintendent"
That's good. That will give me an
opportunity to see how they behave
when they are off their guard"
ONE DAYS DIFFICULTIES.
moment later the girls came hur-
rying in, with faces flushed from their
exercise In the open aair and quietly
took their seats. The majority of the
boys did tie same. but bringing ur
the rear were half dozen of the larg.
er boys, scunling and showing eacn