Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-06
In the Long Ago
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SAc WAS lEOAn IHo CfVy, ana Sh0 na0 begun her first term as teacher in the village school, much to the consterna- tion of the inhabitants, who had never known any teacher for their children other than the ancient MT. James.
 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 pails or munching their leftover din- ner cakes; or, the big swing on the old beechnut tree in the school yard; or, about 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 Patricias teacher name) 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 OConnor, 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: Philip, l wish you to remain have some work wish you to finish before examina- tion. The rest may pass out''
 And the unsuspecting pupils passed out. Kitty paused long enough at Philips desk to whisper: T will wait for you at the bend"
 < When Miss O'Connor went back to Philips desk he was nervously mak- ing KS and ys on his tablet Nothing that Mir. James had ever done could produce the effect of the brown glances \ from Patricia's eyes and the g even tones of her soft voice.
 Here they are. Ten of them.' she said
 Philip took the paper awkwardly.
 Phillip. how old are you?'' E The paper futtered to the floor It was swept7up 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: T have been thinking, Philip, that you will not be benefited by going to school here much longer al \ ky oh of 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 physician. like your father?"
 No, Miss O'Connor; oh. mo-"
 What would you like to be! You must he something, you know
 I would repeat all their conversation only I never have been told it all, and I wasn't there. All learned was that Philip didn't seem to have very defi- mite notion of any kind of career, except a 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 note to Kitty Patricia saw it. She had learned to watch for such things.
 "Kitty Wright" she said, quietly. bring that note to me-
 II won't!" Kitty snapped back, clasping the note tighty in her hand
 You know how all the pupils acted then-just as they did when your teach CT caught you passing note to your schoolgirl sweetheart across the aisle; or across two or three aisles; 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 busi- ness with my notes. Why arc 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.
 kitty, you may go home now and return when you are ready to apoio- gize"
 Here was the place for the custom ary "subdued hush" that is supposed to accompany all such occasions, but ii I remember rightly there was som. noise and giggle or two as Kitty left the room. The next day Kitty returned to the school with her mother. There was some loud talking on the part of Mrs. Wright, and some insolence from Kit. ty, but Patricia came out victorious. One monday recreation not long after that Miss OConnor found Philir at his desk, reading book she had placed there for that express purpose
 Do you still want to be a 'newspa.