Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-16
He was looking into his mothers

He was looking Into his mothers face.
 "'Tain't so," Paul repeated with un- shaken confidence.
 Mustn't believe all ye hear" said the widow, who now turned to the, doubting Thomas.
 And that very moment Tom was come to the last gate of childhood. whereon are the black and necessary words, Mustn't believe all ye hear"
 The boys in their new boots were on the track of panther. They treed him presently at the foot of the stairs.
 How'll we kill him?' one of them inquired.
 Just walk around the tree once" said the mother, "an' you'll scare him to death Why don't ye grease your bootsy'
 ",Fraid it'll take the screak out of 'em." said Paul, looking down thought fully at his own pair.
 "Well,' said she, you'll have me treed if you keep on. No hunter would have boots like that. A loud foot makes a still gun"
 That was her unfailing method of control, the appeal to intelligence. Pol ly sat singing thoughtfully, the locket in her hand She had kissed the sacred thing and hung 1t by ribbon to her neck and bathed her eyes in the golden light of 1t and begun to feel the subtle pathos in its odd message. She was thinking of the handsome boy who came along that far May day with the drove and who lately had returned to be her teacher at Linley school. Now he had so much dignity and learning she liked him not half so well and felt he had no longer any care for her. She blushed to think how she had wept over his letter and kissed 1t every day | for weeks. Her dream was interrupted presently by the call of her brother Tom. Having cut the frost on a win. i dow pane. he stood peering out. A man was approaching in the near field. His figure showed to the boot top mounting hills of snow and sank out of sight in the deep hollows. It looked as if he were walking on rough sea. In moment he came striding over the dooryard fence on pair of snowshoes "Its MT. Trove, the teacher" said Polly, who quickly began to shake her curls.
 As the door swung open all greeted the young man. Loosening his snow. shoes, he flung them on the step and came in, a fox tail dangling from his fur cap.
 He shook bands with Polly and hel mother and lifted Paul to the ceiling Hello, young mani" said he. If one Is four, how many are two?"
 eff you're speaking of new boots, 2 said the widow, "one is at least if | teen.'
 The schoolteacher made no reply, but stood a moment looking down at the boy.
 Its cold day." said Polly.
 "I like It." said the teacher, lifting his broad shoulders and smiting them with his hands. God has been house cleaning. The dome of the sky is all swept and dusted. There isn't cob web anywhere. Santa Claus come"
 "Yes," said the younger children, who made rush for their gifts and laic them on chairs before him.
 Grand old chapw said he. staring 1 thoughtfully at the flannel cat In hii hands. Any idea who 1t is:"
 Cant make out" said Mrs. Vaughn "very singular man."
 Generous, too." the teacher added That's the best cat ever saw, Tom If had my way the cats would all bt made of flannel. Miss Polly, what did you get?"
 "This," said Polly, handing him thu locket.
 "Beautifulw said he, turning 1t in hi' hand. Anything inslde"
 Polly showed him how to open It He sat moment or more looking a the graven gold.
 Stranger said he presently, survey ing the wrought cases.
 Mrs. Vaughn was now at his elbow.
 Stranger she inquired.