The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-05-24

NV
offered and joined her on her way /,
the schoolhouse in the morning. Sh,
was afraid TO have an open quarre
with him or 10 demand his dismissal
from school, for the trouble it would
bring upon herself and the gossip O.
the ncighborhood. She could bring
no direct charge against him save q
personal one. 1t was true that he
seldom had his lessons and took q
cowardly advantage Of his belief that
she would not dare to reprove or pun.
ish him. Lucy comforted herself in
the thought that she had only a lit.
tie while longer to endure her situa.
ton and that she would never again
teach that school.
The ensign noticed the change in
Lucy toward the end of the term.
what has become OF your color?'
he inquired one evening. "Are YOU
i'll? Does anything worry you?"
II can't bear" he said. in a soft
tone, ito see you so pale"
This brought back "A little pink to
her face, but she did not answer.
II think" said the ensign, after
one Of those silences in which con
genial souls seem TO come nearer than
through speech, II think you have
taught public schools long enough
long enough. nnd-well, how would
you like a small private one, with lust
"A single pupil, n duh boy, but willing
TO learn and, faith, he thinks he Is al
ready in love with his teacher? Did
You know it, Lucy"
Lucy hung her head and turned her
face, now red as "A rose. away from
the ensign.
IL don't know at length she muir
INJURED; II have one such already"
What" exclaimed the ensign. and
strengthening himself up as if about TO
strike somebody.
What is it you say? / thought
n way was clear between us. Well.
good-by, Lucy. | dare say YOU have
found a better man; strange. though,
l didn't know OF il before. Good
luck To him and you. But | have
loved you well and truly, Lucy. and
II has done me a world of good. Ii
has made a man of me, and taller by
an inch. so my friends saw. Now ]
shall feel small enough. Good-by."
lie stepped quickly toward the
door. but Lucy interrupted him. took
his hands and hid her face on his
shoulder.
There Is none better than YOU. nor
any 50 dear" she whispered. "You
m~istakc-no. il is that have made d
mistake. You know Sylyanus Wal
dron. my big. Oldest scholar: he is in
love with me: follows me like a
shadow. and his attentions. to which
] have never given the slightest re-
Spouse. almost Kill me. Ny situation
is most p~erplexing. | am helpless in
school hours. as ! must treat him as |
do the Others. Out Of school | have
been as cold as ! felt and You could
wish toward him. What can | do
and not make "A world of trouble for
myself and the neighborhood. for
should ! speak of it. complain Of it.
folks would only laugh or gossip and
put me To shame. No. | would rather
bear IL in silence. except with you.'
The ensign sat down again with
Lucy by his side, and thought and
thought how he could punish his
Lucy's prosecutor.
~ don't know much about teach
ing" he said al length. "but | believe
! could get through n day of it,"
what do you mean?" inquired
Lucy.
"Why. let me teach your school for
a day. and you shall stay Mt home
al home. sick You know. / will take
my day tomorrow. Monday. which
they say is the hardest of the week
for teachers: children forget over
Sunday how 10 behave themselves and
are more full of mischief"
How will you manage it?' said
Lncy. in some doubt ms 10 the scheme.
"Oh, / will give them some longer
lessons and more useful instruction
than you ever did" answered the en-
sign, laughing. for the idea tickled
his fancy immensely.
Accordingly a plan was agreed upon
between them and some of the details
TO the order Of recitations ex-
planned by Lucy.
Monday came; Lucy remained at her
boarding place. unable to leave her
room that whole day. and received q
great deal Of attention and sympathy |
the family.
Punctually nj nine o'clock the en-
sign appeared ut the school house
carrying a good. stout stick. osten-
as n cane. To the infinite as
constituent of the scholars he strobe
upon the teachers little platform.
his head almost touched the
lie called the school to orr
der and informed the wondering
scholars that he was 10 he their
for that day. ms Miss winn
was not well and had requested him
TO take her place. which he felt he
could not do; yet il is not to be a
holiday" he added significantly.
The younger children looked 1t
other already awe-strickcn; the
ones were puzzled. There was
silence i'm the room: the pro-
pin would have rcsounded like
/ solid shot. The scholars got out
heir books and pretended to study,
nut could not, they were SO excited by
he situation.