The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1906-02-16

w III jill iii VI Bld NfAnO NAAAC DAN ~
character, Guy came forward with the
note.
"You may 60 to the Office, Master
Parker" said Mr.. ellison, trying to
speak calmly. Il will see you after /
have finished my Rotations"
But the last vestige of GOODNESS left
the old teacher as he glanced at the
scrap Of paper that Guy had laid upon
the desk, and saw what had been
scrawled upon it:
"Od Gilly would like to lick some
body only he darsent."
He sprang from his chair and
FASTENED after the departing cuIprit,
and three minutes later another case
of corporal punishment had been added
to the record Of the Cushnoc Grammar
School
But the fact that Guys father was
chairman Of the school committee did
not disturb Mr. ellison in the least. In
his present mood he was almost ready
to hope that the committee would call
him to account for what ne had done,
in which case he would surely resign.
And thus would come to an inglOrious
ending his thirty years of work in the
school.
He was somewhat surprised, how
ever, after reaching home, to receive a
message requesting him to appear be-
fore the committee that very evening.
"Ifs a shame for you to be obliged to
go out at night" said his wife, anx-
iously. II wonder what that commit
tee can want Of you"
Il can tell you better after get
back" replied Mr. Gilson grlmly.
When he entered the school COM
mittees room in the city building he
found all the members present, and the
chairman at once proceeded to the mat
ter in hand.
Mr. Gilson," he said, "you have
taught in our city for many years,
without a break"
At this Mr.. ellison bowed assent.
'"The fact u.s." he continued, with a
smile, you need rest and an oppor-
tunity to recover health ana strength;
and we are going to give it to you, and
force it upon you if necessary. The
school was never in better condition,
but we cannot afford to take any risks
with our best teacher whom we should
find it so hard to replace. SO we have
unanimously voted you leave of alb
sence, with pay, for the next two
months, and we expect you to devote
the time to the business of getting
we'll and strong.
"By the way" he added, quite ir-
relevantly, "there seems to be some
thing going on in the hall above. Let's
go up and see what it is"
And at that the committee without
the formality Of an adjournment, start
ed for the assembly hall, taking the as
tonished Mr. ellison along with them.
He was dimly conscious Of q large
company Of people, young and middle
aged, of a hearty round of applause
as lie entered the room, and presently,
of the fact that he was standing upon
the platform, facing the mayor OF the
city, who seemed to be making a
speech. And after some minutes he
began to realize what the mayor was
saying.
Il suppose that some of us old fell
lows would hardly recognize the school
if we were to so back to it. Methods
change and new ideas come to the
front. l hear that even the good old
custom of fogging a boy when he
goes wrong has been done away with.
BIT some things do not go out of
"NIr. ellison, we have heard it whis-
pered that the school committee intend
to give you well-earned leave of alb
sence from your duties, and it would
please us much if you would consent
to spend the time as, in a sense, our
guest We ask you to accept tNis
purse, which contains enough for a
little trip across the water for yourself
and family, and visit to some of the
countries that we used to try to tell
YOU about in the geography class.
eve wish you a pleasant journey,
safe return, and many more years of
splendid service in the Cushnoc Gram
mar School"
The morning paper gave the mayors
speech in full, and it also reported the
remarks of other gentlemen present.
But one little speech, made later in the
evening, escaped the attention of the
newspaper man.
"NIr. ellison" said Guy Parker, seiz-
ing an opportunity for q quiet word
with his teacher, Il hope you'll forget
how we all carried ON in school to-day.
We We're so full of what was going
to happen that we just couldn't hold
in, And about that note. You see, I've
heard so many people lately Dragging
about your having tlogged them when
they went to school that it made me