Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-07-15

took her departure. Immediately the
housekeeper came in and expressed her
approval Of Wight's concession.
"Lyddy's a smart gal. and for all her
purity looks and baby way she's got u
heap Of grit. Pity her pa didn't have
II. He used TO be II professor. and he =
dedicated Lyddy to use good speech"
At the meeting the next night Lydia
received n unanimous vote. and when
school opened she was installed rs
teacher. She made companions of the
big boys and girls and pets of the little
ones. The country people We're perfect
ly satisfied. In due course of time Dea-
con Watrous and Bill stiles came to
make the accustomed visit. Lydia was
fully prepared for this occasion and in
vited them to question the class. They
knew but few questions to ask. and
as they had paid many visits to the
school the pupils knew the answers by
heart. Then Lydia asked them to sing
a stirring war song and a hymn. Bits
hearsed beforehand. The two members
went away enthusiastic over the new
teacher and told Wight he had better
go and see for himself.
And he did, appearing suddenly and
unexpectedly near the close of an In
dian summer afternoon. Lydia's ex-
preston of dismay caused litter Of
appreciation among the older boys. In.
stead of a reprlmand she gave them an
imploring look that could not be with
stood. and order reigned ut once. Ly-
dia felt that the visitor had noted the
look and interpreted II as a confession
of inability to govern.
Just as she was about to call upon
the scl-sA for song little Bob Hanks
let loose a mouse he had carefully con-
fintA I'm his book bag Excitement pre-
vailed among the girls and delight
among the boys. Had Lydia known
that she was to lose her position she
would still have done as she did now.
jumped up on her chair.
Hugh caught the mouse, threw 1t out
Of the window, elected Bob and his
book bag and In stentorian tone re-
stored order. Lydia came down from
her chair and In her confusion called
upon the arithmetic class to come for
ward She wished that I.ige Jenkins
had remained at home that day. Arith-
metic was not his forte. She planned
adroitly to omit him. but the visitor in
stantly detected the omission and
pOunced upon the unfortunate lad.
ar 4
does 9 20 In 2Ii"
To Lydia's dismay Lige promptly
stepped to the blackboard and COM
menced solution via long division.
finally putting down for an an
swer.
TRY again. Lige." urged Wight
cheerfully.
I.ige then substituted the figure
for 2.
you've got another guess coming.
Lige."
The boy looked bewildered. and Ly-
dia desperately came to his rescue.
"Lige. won't it go three timesT' she
asked insinuatingly.
Lige looked at her axiously.
why, yes." he replied slowly, eft
will. but it's n dern'd tight squeeze
Then came that delightful uncon-
strained burst of laughter that Lydia
had heard once before from Hugh
Wight. The school joined with him.
The teacher looked at the clock and
thankfully observed It was time for
dismissal She stood ut the door until
the last scholar had vanished. Then
she came back to the platform, where
Wight still sat and Lige fingered.
Say" observed the lad earnestly,
faint her fault. l never did know
nuthin' about 'rithmetic nohow. She's
the best teacher we ever had"
This touch of sympathy from the
little champion was too much for Ly-
dia. Her self control slipped. and her
head went down on the desk
"Lige." said Wight gently. you did
better than l expected. There are lots
Of things in life more desirable than a
knowledge OF the science OF numbers
Take this dime and go down to the
Corners and see what 1t will buy"
The boy sped happily away. Lydia
raised her head. A little CLEAN Of an
ger and defiance flashed through the
tears.
You can send and get man teach
er as soon as you want to. am glad
am not a man."
$50 am l. Lydia" he said heartily.
with such earnestness of voice and
eyes that the slender hand Of the
schoolteacher went up in a pathetic
little way to her eyes.
II am your quorum you know" he
said whimsically. but with the new
softness still In his voice. land didn't
come to inspect the school nor the
scholars. but to take the teacher driv-
ing. Will she go?"
Her hands came quickly down from
her eyes. whose dimness was melting
away in a glow OF pleasure
"Yes." she replied. II will 60"
The New England Kitchen.