The Tupelo journal., 1907-07-26

and admired each other very much in
secret, while openly they were always
quarreling.
"Tll wager a dollar ventured a
tall, heavy-looking boy, "she doesn't
stay a week where Tom Fields is"
I'VE want to see it first, Tody,"
said the hooking voice in the tree.
Tod Miller flushed angrily, as he
pulled a bill from his pocket.
See it?" he said. Now wouldn't
you like to have it to pay for the win
dow you broke?"
A probable quarrel was here pre-
vented by the approach of Miss Lane,
the new teacher. AS she stood talk
ing to the chi On. she vas very ia
vorably impressed by their bright
looks. until she. recalled the warming
she had received concerning a certain
bad boy named Tom Fields. Turning
to the good looking lad at her side,
who was introducing the others in
turn, she inquired:
I've heard of one boy, Tom Fields;
isn't he here?"
"Yes'm" was the reply; that's my
name"
Miss Lane did not show her aston
ishment. She had come prepared to
meet a young rowdy. such were the
wild stories in circulation about Tom,
who was in reality only a very mis-
chievous boy. When she saw her
mistake she determined to make him
a help instead of a hindrance in her
work.
Though it was the first day of the
new term, everything was carried on
in perfect order. Toms good deport-
ment caused some silent wonder
among the other scholars, but he was
too busy to heed them. When not
helping Miss Lane, he was bending
over his books in earnest study. One
person alone understood his strange
conduct. Peggy smiled as she studied,
for it was all as plain to her as if Tom
had said: $50, you expect me to be
Dad; well, | won't then, I'll be good"
Unconsciously Tom grew to like his
new teacher so we'll that, by way of
expressing his feelings, he cleaned all
the blackboards after school. Later
he walked home with her. AS he was
about to go on after a few minutes
chat, Miss Lane suddenly exclaimed:
'Oh, Tom, l forgot my fountain pen.
Would you mind running back for it?"
"Of course not" said the boy. I'll
get it, and taking the key she aand-
ed him he was off on a rush to the
school.
He found the pen, and at the same
time espied Tod Miller's knife lying
in the aisle. He picked it up and
threw it carelessly into his desk, n2t
noticing that as he did so a dollar bill
fell to the floor. Then he locked the
door and ran back to where Miss Lane
was waiting.
The next morning Tom started out
to hunt early violets for his new
teacher. When he arrived at the
schoolhouse he found that the pupils
had already assembled. AS he hung
his cap on a peg in the entry, he
heard somebody say inside
How many saw this boy show
Tom Fields a dollar bill?"
1t was the superintendent voice,
and Tom was never more puzzled in
his life. With a determined step he
walked into the room and took his
seat. &c noticed that every n looked
at him in surprise.
Mr.. Brice, the superintendeat, was
seated beside Miss Lanes de-, and
before them stood Tod Miller in evil
dent distress. Work was suspended
and the attention Of the pupils was
centered upon these three.
"Ah," said Mr.. Brice, on pe~rceiving
the late scholar, I'm glad to see you,
Tom Fields, for we would like you to
answer some questions"
Yes, SIR said Tom politely. There
had been former encounters between
him and the superintendent, which
both had cause to remember.
Well, then,' continued Mr.. Brice,
when your teacher sent you back to
the schoolhouse yesterday afternoon,