Middletown transcript., 1901-03-09
A Reward Of Merit
BY A. J. SIMPLE.

tally before company. Inc suDlect Cha1
day was a new one, and the pupils seemed
utterly unable to grapple with some OF
the mysteries of fractions. Seeing this,
their youthful teacher said, "The class
does not seem to understand the lesson
very we'll, SO will try to explain the
subject SO that all may understand and
and there upon she ex-
planned the lesson so clearly, and went to
the root of matters so thoroughly, that
even those scholars who "hated arithme-
tic" grew interested and understood. So
absorbed was Nettie in her work that she
forgot all about her visitor, who was in
tently listening to every word, and whose
face was positively radiant with delight as
his eyes swept over the scene. He re-
mained and heard several other recita-
tions with no abatement of interest, and
after complimenting Nettie and her
school he took his leave.
'Did strange elderly visit gentleman
your school to-day?" asked Nettie of
Harriet as they were going home.
eyes; countryman that have never
seen before was in," returned Harriet,
"but paid no attention to him, and he
did not stay long. No one seemed to
know who he was; probably stranger in
town, who didn't know what else to do
to while away the time"
A few weeks after this Nettie suddenly
rushed into Harriet's room, and thrust
ing letter in her cousins hand excitedly
said, "Read thatp' And this is what
met Harriet's wondering eyes as she COM
piled:
BRIGHTON, July 10, 1894.
Miss NETTIE LEITH,
"Dear Madam: Avacancy has occurred
in the West school of this city, and, if
agreeable to you, 1 would like to have
you accept the position, beginning with
the coming term. The salary is one
thousand dollars year, with the usual
vacations. Advise me at once whether
you accept, for there are numerous ap-
plicants; but I make you this PROPOSE
ton after seeing your work in your pres
sent school.
"Yours truly,
John NoURsE, Supt."
''Why, Nettie Leithp' exclaimed Har-
riet, when she had recovered from her
''What lucky mortal you
are! congratulate you heartily. How
wish I were in your shoes! That Mr..
Nourse is one of the greatest educators
of the day, and there is no telling how
high you can get now that you have such
a splendid opportunity in the city. When
did you get this golden letter."
"Just little while ago; and 1 never
was SO surprised in my life. I couldn't
believe it was meant for me-"
''Just your luck! When did Mr..
Nourse visit your school? You never
told me thing about it, returned Har-
riet, reproachfully.
THAT is just what troubles me-"
thoughtfully replied Nettie 81 have been
and thinking; but he was never
in the school that know of. But-why,
Hattie, wonder if it could have been
that elderly man whom no one knew?
He visited you school, too, you remem-
ber; and that must have been Mr.. Nourse
He visited my school several times after
hot hY1k ho Is,,4o1 L.
'That was surely he, and l though he
was nothing but an ordinary country
man," groaned Harriet. 'tHe was in my
school only once, but that day I was ill
lumored and was positively rude to
lim, and he soon left. What a fool I
was! 1 might have impressed him as
avorably as you have done; but this is
,nly another case of it might have
oeen,'" and Harriet almost shed tears at
he thought.
81 remember now of reading some
where that Mr.. Nourse had habit Of
visiting schools where he was unknown,
md of studying teachers and their
In that way be often obtained
mis- best instructors; but cannot under
stand why he should offer me such
position" said Nettie.
because you deserve it," returned
Harriet, kissing her cousin effusively;
i'and here have been scolding you, and
saying ugly things right along, and tell
ing you that you had no ambition. Yet,
in spite of my boasting and much vaunted
you have risen above me.
Serves me right; but can you forgive me
ior teasing you so?''
"There is nothing to forgive, Hattie.
often grew tired and discouraged, too;
out 1 would not give in, and made up my
mind to do the best could.''
"Well, know one thing" replied
Harriet, decisively, 81 am going to re-
iorm and try your plan, and see if 1 will
iare as well as you"
And so it came about that as Miss
Nettie Leith, who was highly successful
n her school, was reading her favorite
newspaper, she came across this para
graph:
''Miss Harriet Blake, one of the most
popular teachers in Dalton, as just been
appointed an instructor in Bradford Aca-
lemy. Miss Blake is still very young,
out her efficient and successful work and
Methods have securedfor her the above
position"
A few days later Nettie received a
letter from Harriet, inform
ng her of the rise in her fortunes, and
he letter closed with these words:
fT have found out that the only way
o be appointed ruler over many things
s by demonstrating ones faithfulness
,ver the little ones and that work is the
magic open sesame to the door of sue
ess. ."-Demorest's Family Magazine.
USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW
Good light means good health.