The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-10-17

eGopyrighes AsOls BY Daily Story Pub. Coz
q CHO0LM'A1IS are just as susceptible
~ to blindness and love, as ordinary
people. When the little budding hearts
Of the classroom, who will be mischiev-
Gus despite pTotestations and commands,
grow warm with love toward the
Miss whose duty it is to act as
the target as well as the instruc-
tor IN the teaching of the young
idea now to shoot, 1t somehow takes seed
in her own HEARTH the heart offers the
ground for the rightful planting and
the flower and the fruit is beautiful The
sweetness OF the blossom is given back
ever SO quietly and unconsciouslys but
there Is an invariable reward for its
return. There is more love and more
kindness for the branch that bears the
flowers and soon all IS radiant with hap
piness
Miss 4ennis Williams, teacher in
charge of the Third ward school at Mer-
ton, knew the secret well and her heart
was a good place for the planting.
Though the school had heretofore held
name which carried hesitancy to the
minds Of many a schoolma' am who had
applied for the place, Miss Williams was
most successful in her work Happy
and really jolly at all times, there was no
loss Of dignity for her.
Then, when another bit Of a seed took
root in her bosom, and when several
lads ia the village saw their hopes-we
call such things Hopes" always-be-
numbed by the arrival Of the young rail-
way man from the city, no one dared to
begrudge him his good fortune. In
fact everybody wished him we'll Such
Is not always result IN such affairs.
Everyone liked William Masterson,
superintendent OF the Southern division
Of the 3. & B. To hear the words ''sup-
erintendent Of the division" once in
spired the villagers to conjure up visions
Of q meFciless creature, with several
idle dollars ceaselessly jingled in his
pockets by an oppressive right hand.
That was before they knew Billy.
Even when the dertonites found out
that Billy was the real enough son Of
the president Of the road, they were
merely surprised; their interest grew to
the fact that one can be the son OF a
railway pFesident-the head of 'heart-
less corporation without being a
monster.
Contrawise TO the situation at Mer-
ton, someone in the city found out and
that started all the trouble.
One evening the father and the son
stood face to face in the Nasterson house.
both flushed with wounded pride and
anger.
What strange things love viii bring
about!
Billy was very short and decisive.
@All right, sir" he said, 'T'll 60. The
whole road can't buy my heartl sup
pose she is only a little schoolma'an'
as you say, she IS a woman dearer to me
than any Of the dolls who prance about
IN your drawing rooms!"
After delivering this rather ultra
democratic speech, Billy Masterson
wrote and delivered his resignation from
services on the 3. & B.
He was on the southern, going toward
Merton. the next afternoon.
why, Mr.. Mastersoni" exclaimed
Old jim, the conductor, surprised when
Billy offered him a regular paid ticket.
tits all right, Jim" Billy ansyered.
'Ive quit the road" Then he leaned
back in his seat and wondered what she
would say.
There was a long silence in the room
when Billy finally told her my little
schooima'am," he called her. She
spoke first.
Please. Billy, go back. she pleaded.
''Why should you leave
Billy drew the pretty head close to
his shoulder and held It there snugiy
and ever So long. Only a sob, and then
another lost itself g the stiffness alI
about