Middletown transcript., 1901-03-09
HE PUPILS OF A CERTAIN


humor. That fact was self-evident; for
all day long she had snapped and scolded,
and shaken up'' both boys and girls on
the slightest provocation, until every one
of her pupils voted her 'the biggest
crank that ever was"
The solemn old school-clock was the
object of much solicitous attention that
day; when at last the hands denoted the
hour of four, Miss Blake speedily dis
missed her charges, closed her desk with
resounding bang, and then started
homeward, first stopping at the school
room where her cousin, Nettie Leith, in
structed large number of our future
men and women. She found Nettie en-
gagged in clearing up her desk; and when
she had finished, both teachers went
home together.
'fWhat has gone wrong to-day, Har-
riet?' asked Nettie, noting her COM
panion's clouded face. "You don't seem
to be in very good spirits"
'Well, Pm notr' returned Harriet,
decidedly; 'Tm just as cross as bear.
This is the very worst and most disagree
able place in the whole country, and the
people in it match the town! I'm tired
and disgusted with both; and don't see
how you can be so contented in this dis
NAL prison. The country is the doom of
every ambitious person, and it is non
sense to imagine that one can accomplish
anything in it; and Of all things Pm sure
teaching school in a country town is the
worst! It's bad enough to live here; but
to teach school!--'' and Harriet
heaved deep sigh of disgust.
"Why, Hattie, what has come over
you?'' asked her cousin in amazement.
"You have pleasant position, and
school teaching isn't the worst occupa-
ton in the world, by any means"
"Well, if there is anything worse 1
should like to know it" snapped Har-
riet. "You haven't any ambition, Nettie,
and SO you don't mind; but Pm differ
ent, and l am tired of this everlasting
drudge, drudge, and of teaching lot of
stupid children, and pleasing their ignor-
ant parents. They don't appreciate any
thing one does, anyway"
II don't quite believe that; for the
people here are as intelligent as they are
anywhere, and take unusual interest n
education. Why, lots of them praise me
and my school much more than deserve"
"Of course they do! You are always
SO pleasant and agreeable to everyone you
see. But as far as / am concerned,
can't for the life of me be agreeable to
lot of stupid villagers who are forever
poking about in the schools when they
ought to be minding their own business.
They take everything for granted, and
expect teacher to take as much inte: est,
and fuss as much over the pupils as
though they paid her thousand dollars
a year; and won't do it, that's all. The
sooner can get out Of Dalton the hap
pier shall beI' concluded Harriet, de-
cidedly.
'1 suppose you are going to the con-
cert to-night?'' asked Nettie, after a
pause, thinking to turn the conversa-
ton.
"Why, of course. You are too, are
you not?"
Il did intend to, but can't now, for
Jack Windy is coming over, and l am
going to help him with his studies. He
has been sick so long that ne is behind,
so told him I would help him along. 1
had forgotten all about the concert when
l promised; but don't want to disap-
point him, SO am not going"
'You silly grip burst forth Harriet.
"Isn't it enough if you do what you are
engaged for, without spending all your
spare time over school matters into the
bargain? l don't do bit more work
than Il have to, and am just as well off
as you, though you are continually
studying and working"
Harriet teased and expostulated, but
Nettie refused to break her promise; SO
Harriet went to the concert, and had
such ''good time" that she forgot all
about her troubles.
Harriet Blake and Nettie Leith were
cousins. Both had graduated from the
academy in the neighboring city of Brad
ford, and shortly after had begun teach
ing school in Dalton, which was country
town Of two or three thousand inhab-
itants Both girls were very young and
of about the same age One was as am
bituous as the other, but the Am
bition manifested itself in different ways:
in Harriet by continual building
and flights of imagination, and in Nettie
in a more practical manner.
The months glided by, and Harriet
was as discontented and grumbled as
much as ever, and continually found
fault with Nettie because her cousin
would persist ''in making slave of her
self for nothing" ''What is the use of
studying and reading so much?' Harriet
Ollen dSk6u. L III SURE YOU kHOW
more than enough to teach your school,
and no one appreciates it, anyway"
One lovely day in early summer, just
as Harriet had dismissed one class and
was about to call another, rap came to
the door, and she admitted an elderly
gentleman whom she had never before
seen. That day. Harriet had what she
called ''blue streak" and to show her
independence, and her contempt for Wis
itors in general, and strangers in partic-
ular, she coolly seated herself at her desk
and began to write letter. She paid no
attention to several wildly waving hands, |
the owners of which were vainly trying
to attract teachers" attention, nor to
her, visitor, who eyed her curiously. Af-
ter surveying this interesting school for
a little while he asked, respectfully,