The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-03-10
In the Long Ago
MYRTLE CONGER


N"nytlSnt, L'VS, ey Daily story Pub. Coz
DATRICIA's chief characteristics
were her beautiful eyes and her
Self-reliance
She was from the city, and she had
begun her first term as teacher in the
village school, much to the consterna-
ton of the inhabitants, who had never
known any teacher for their children
other than the ancient Mr. James.
l might tell you about the pictur-
esque woods near the school; or, the
little brook that ran at the foot of the
hill; and the fiowery paths where the
children walked home in the glow of
the evening, swinging their dinner
pals or munching their leftover din
ner cakes; or, the big swing on the old
beechnut tree in the school yard; or,
aDoY the little brick schoolhouse
itself, only these things would not be
true, and besides, they have nothing
to do with the story.
The real beginning was when Miss
O'Connor Chat was Patricia's teacher
nance saw Kitty Wright attempt to
pass note across the aisle to Philip
Brooks. The note slipped to the floor
before Philip could secure it.
Philip" said Miss O'Connor, sweet
ly, please lower the window; the
room seems close"
By the time the window was low
cred Patricia had secured the note,
consigned its remains to the waste
basket and called the American his
tory class Philip gasped. Last year,
Mr.. James had read their notes pub
licly.
That night, after the books had been
put away, the teacher said: Phillip, |
wish you to remain. | have some work
l wish you to finish before examina-
ton. The rest may pass out"
And the unsuspecting pupils passed
out. Kitty paused long enough at
Philips desk to whisper: Il will wait
for you at the bend"
When Miss O'Connor went back to
Philips desk he was nervously max
ing KS and US on his tablet. Nothing
that Mr.. James had ever done could
produce the effect of the brown glances
from PatriC:as eyes and the even
tones of her soft voice.
Here they are. Ten of them" she
said
Philip took the paper awllwardly.
Phillip, how old are your"
The paper fluttered to the floor. 1t
was swept up next morning and tossed
into the fire
Nineteen last January" he returned.
recovering somewhat from his sur
prise.
'Heavens!" commented Patricia, in
wardly. Older than | am" Aloud,
she said: 81 have been thinking,
Philip, that you will not be benefited
by going to school here much longer.
You already are ahead of the course.
You are almost man now, and YOU
must be thinking about your future.
What do you intend to do with your
future?"
Philip was speechless.
Would you like to be a physician,
like your father?"
mo, Miss O'Connor; oh, no."
What would you like to be, You
must be something, you know"
| would repeat all their conversation
only never have been told it all, and
\ | wasn't there. All l learned was that
Philip didn't seem to have a very def
mite notion of any kind of a career,
except few stray dreams of becoming
a newspaper man"-and that Kitty
waited in vain at the bend that night.
The next occurrence that has any
real bearing on this story was when
Philip passed a note to Kitty Patricia
saw it. She had learned TO watch for
such things.
kitty Wright she said, quietly,
bring that note to me-"
Il won't!" Kitty snapped back,
clasqing the note tightly in her hand
Iou know how all the pupils acted
then--just as they did when your teach
er caught you passing a note to your
schoolgirl sweetheart across the aisle;
or across two or three aisies; or across
the full length of the room for that
matter; or at whatever angle she sat
from you.
In an instant Patricia was at the
girls side She repeated her request,
to which Kitty gave the same defiant
answer and added some additional
paragraphing something on the fol-
lowing order: you haven't any bust
ness with my notes Why are You al
ways bothering yourself about Philip
and me? Mother says that's all you
do. anyway. Why don't you teach
school? That's what you're here for"
Like flash Patricia's firm little
fingers buried themselves in the back
of Kitty's hand and the note changed
possession