Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-08-03
LYDIA'S
QUORUM
BY BELLE MANIATES
Copyright, 1908, by Belle Maniates
BY BELLE MANIATES


young Wight thinks we ought to have
a man. OF course you'll have my vote,
but Bill Stiles is always straddlin' q
fence and the last man he talks 10 gets
him This young f"llers highfaluttn
talk kind of caught Bilrs fancy, and he
was totterin'. but I took him IN hand,
and now he's leanin our way again.
I'll stick 10 him tighter than brother
and keep him away from Wight till the
meetin is over. It's tomorrow night
You are so good, Deacon Watrous''
replied Lydia, raising grateful eyes
''and II get the place III do my Dest
10 vindicate your choice"
''Pll do all can, Lyddy," said the
deacon
Lydia Gardner had spent the past
summer away from home, and when
she returned 20 the farm she had
found the family In O state of gloom.
Crops had been poor, number or cat
tie had died, and the inevitable mort
gage had TO be met. Lydia proposed 10
meet Il by teaching In the district
school. She had been reasonably GER
tain Of securing the position, counting
on the deacon and Bill for n quorum,
but now this young man, who had fall
en- heir TO the farm OF his uncle, John
Wight and had come to the Corners In
her absence. might carry his point of
hiring a man to teach.
She simply had TO have the position,
and she determined TO help Deacon
Watrous In his efforts TO secure BtlPs
needed vote. 1t would be useless for
her 70 appeal TO Bill-"Weathercock
BILL" as he was called. She resolved
20 make bold move and encounter the
enemy whom she had never seen.
Hugh Wight was In the sitting room
OF the old homestead pondering over
this same subject of quorum. When
he succeeded TO his Inheritance he had
determined 10 become practical farm
er and win the esteemed position his
uncle had ever maintained in the
hearts of the simple country folk. They
had laughed at the young man for
thinking he could be a farmer but he
had shown them he could learn from
them and improve on their methods.
They were glad TO have him succeed
his uncle rs a member of the school
committee. That seemed to be more In
his line.
He had as firm convictions on the ed
ucational question as he had on most
subjects, and he thought n man more
fitted 10 wrestle with the difficulties of
O country school than q woman. He
had not seen this applicant, but he did
not approve Of young girl who had
no preparation or experience In teach
ing
In the midst of his cogitations there
was rap at the outer door. He opened
II to admit a winsome, willowy girl
with big. innocent eyes and an artless
manner.
Are you Mr.. Wight am Lydia
Gardner"
He acknowledged the introduction
gravely and asked her to be seated.
Hugh Wight was not a susceptible
man. and Lydia's beauty only strength
enad him In his belief that she was not
competent for the position of school
teacher at the Corners.
Il am, as you know" she said. "a
candidate for the position of teacher.
l hear that you are In favor of hiring O
man for the place, and don't suppose
anything that l could say would change
your opinion. | came to ask you not to
induce Bill Stiles 10 vote against me-"
He was somewhat surprised at this
frank appeal. He liked directness.
1T means a good deal to u.s." she
continued earnestly, "and II don't get
the place 1t will go very hard with my
father. Ny salary would help him
more than you can know"
Hugh felt as If he had been stealing
sheep. She did not want the money for
fripperies. then. but to help her father
What do you mean by my infuenc-
ing Bill" he asked.
''It's like this" she explained. "Dea-
con Watrous Is OF course for me, and
Bill Is, too, or would be, If you leave
him alone and say nothing about the
advantages of having a man. but the
last person that approaches Bill has
him, and they say you have convinc-
ing tongue The deacon IS going to
try and keep Bill away from you until
the meeting is over, but | didn't care
10 trust 10 that, so I came to ask you.
l wouldn't presume to ask you to vote
for me, only TO let Bill alone"
Up TO this time the eyes, voice and
manner of the young man had not been
at all encouraging, but IN the hearty
peal OF infectious laughter that follow
ed her request Lydia caught a note Of
appreciation. and some way she deriv-
ed hope from his amusement.
Miss Gardner, ii strikes me as rath-
er odd that you should come and show
me the way to gain my point and then
ask me not TO take IT,"
Maybe It is" she said wistfully,
but didn't know what else TO do"
He remained In deep study for a mo.
nent. He did not Ike TO be Influenced
by personalities.
We'll" he said abruptly, I'm not
speak TO Bill or in his presence about
this matter. and I'll waive my objec-
tions for this year and vote for you
myself, though I still believe n man
should have the plnce"
Two bright spots burned In Lydia's
cheeks
Thank you. | will now have an
other incentive to do my best shall
try 10 show you that can I'LL the po-
sition as ncceptably as a man You
look increduIous. They all said about
here that you. a city chap, could new
er make farmer, but you showed
them you could. III show you | can
make teacher"
Having made this telling point, Lydin
took her departure. Immediately the
housekeeper came In and expressed her
approval Of Wights concession.
'Lyddy's smart gal. and for nll her
Durty looks and baby Way she's got n