Evening star., 1907-10-26
HOW PATRICK KEPT HIS
PLACE.

pneumonia there was CONSERVATION in the
school. 1t was large country school. and
Patrick was their standby; he had served
the committee for thirty years. and neves
until now had he been absent from his
post a single day. OF course, as this was
the beginning OF the session. man-of-all
work had to be provided. and while the
committee made ample provision for Pat
rick during his Illness. they hunted about
for some one to take his place. The knowl-
edge of this put Patrick in fever
Sure he cried excitediy. IF any one
takes me place, it's me ghostll ha mt him.
1t wili"'
/ In vain the committee explained that II
would be only for time. until he. Patrick.
was able to go to work again; the poor
fellow was too sick to reason. The result
was that applicants for the situation
feared Patricks wrath and kept away.
and the hitherto well-appointed school
house was fast going to rack and ruin.
Miss Bronson. the teacher. was at her
wits end: many a time she had sized
broom and dustpan and dived into corners
that had felt equal to such labor. Indeed,
when dust has grown to certain thick
ness a broom after all. makes little i'm
preston.
The place needs regular scrubbing. "
declared Miss Bronson one day after
school! II wish.'' she added. with
laugh. that I could find some one who
was not afraid of Patricks ghost. Come
children what are plotting over there In
the corner?" and she raped so smartly
with her ruler that the four culprits
started and changed color. They came
down the aisle with a laugh, pausing at
Miss EronSOn'S desk.
I'VE have plan, they said, We re
going to take it before the committee
Mss Bronson looked into the bright
smiling faces, and smiled in sympathy.
These were her favorte pupils. Joe and
Hal Rivers were brothers. =, strapping
fellows, with muscles of iron. Florence
Norton was her "blue-ribbon' girl, and
Fanny Marston, tall and straight as
young pine was the beauty of the school.
May I come too?' asked Miss Bron-
son. who was little -hore than glrl her-
self
Yes, but you're to ask no questions,
they told her, and she laughingly agreed
to the condition. Then she put on her
hat, and they went to the rooms OF the
committee.
The committee consisted of three placid
old gentlemen, who looked with some
surprise at the invading party.
We'll. WELL said Mr. Perkins, what
can ] do for YOU? Mt PERKINS was
chairman of the committee.
We've come to speak to you about the
schoolhousa" announced Joe, who was
chairman of his committee.
' Indeed! You have some plan to sug-
gest?'
longer. and as Patrick won't let any one
we cannot be dictated to by Patrick;
if he is unwilling to have his place filed
temporarily, then he must give it up al
together.
The deputat!on looked aghast.
Give up Patrick" exclaimed Miss
Bronson.
GIVE up Patrick" echoed the others.
''Why. Patrick's been caretaker since
our mothers and fathers were little!" said
Joe Indignantly. They'd take us away
from school if that happened"
The committee looked uncomfortable.
for they knew this was quite true, and
count of Patrick would be too much
What is your suggestion" askeu Mr..
Perkins. affaby. Miss Bronson, l sup
pose, approves?
She knows nothing about 1t, said
Joe, "she just came along. You see, sir
it's no use arguing with sick man
Patrick when he was well. could hold the
fort in an argument and Sex: here
Joe cast up his eyes. and even the com
mittee smiled Miss Bronson saw the
doctor yesterday. PatrIcK's coming on
all right he says, but he won't be ft for
duty for long while. Meanwhile we
four would like to take care OF the school
house. we boys to do the heavy work and
the girls to brush up and polish. Pat
rick needn't know. and even if he did,
he couldn't growl, because we wouldn
take pay"
But how about lessons?" questioned
Mr. Perkins. secretly relieved, though
he felt called upon to make objections.
Wen work an hour every day after
school, said Fanny Marston Soon
everything will be spie and span, and we
won't have particle of trouble keeping
it in order
Only put in Joe. I'VE don't want
Interference from the rest of the school.
Housework will grow ve-y popular when
we take to it. If you will send up
typewriter document signed by the com
rnittee, giving the job to the four of us,
with no help from any one else, don't
think we Will be bothered. Wen frame
it and hang it over Miss Bronsons desk,
where all can see.
Mr. Perkins laughed.
Miss Bronson appiauds," she answered
merrily. I'm proud of my boys and
girls"
."rhat settles it," declared Mr.. Per
kins. lis there anything more?'
Joe brought out list from his pocket.
Wed be much obliged II the commit
tee would send us a few supplies-mops,
busters. brooms. dustpans. soap. buckets.
Scruhbing brushes and Sapolfo, we mean
business" and Joe subsidized. while the
committee leaned back and laughed till
the tears rolled down their cheeks.
But the supplies were sent, also the
typewriter instructions. and the house
committee. as the four called themselves,
went to work in earnest
Before a week had passed the school
house shona with the polish of cnthusi-
asm. but Miss Bronson exacted a promise
from the school that no one would let
Patrick know the stress to which they
had been put.
He would think himself of too much
Importance" she sad. "and our good
Patrick. we all know, is consequential
enough
The day before Patrick was expected
to return to his duties. the house COM
mittee gave a final polishing, in which
hy special permit the whole school joined
Then the framed instructions were taken
down. and there was an animated auction
of the housekeeping utensils. the pro-
ceeds to go to the purchase of something
for Miss Bronson.
When Patrick came hobbling back to his
work the next morning he was greeted
with cheer from the assembled school,
1lo 70 ho aolr' I,a