The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-04
THE EVENING STOR Y
NIiIton's Mothers.
(By w. F. Bryan.)


out past the school yard with its we'll
beaten earth, trampled hard and
smooth by the play of generations OF
children, through the orchards, now
pink and white with the promises or
fruition, down to where the river
wound its silvery length between
green banks and tiny islands.
1t would be hard to give it all up,
and yet before her, on the desk, was
the formal communication from the
school board of Milton township,
notifying her that her services would
not be required during the ensuing
term.
The note was cold and formal, but
for weeks past she had known of the
battle being waged against her. The
only objection was her age, but every
mother with a marriagable daughter
or son had urged this objection upon
was not overwelI stocked with young
men, and this girl from the city, with
her self-possessed ways, her stylish
clothes and her bright face. consti-
tuted a menace to the mothers.
For once they united in common
cause and urged Bess' removal. The
dimple in her chin, the soft color. of
her cheeks, the laughing brown eyes.
the ripping hair and the delicious
curves OF her throat, each constituted
an objection that found common ex-
preston in the cry that she was too
young to manage the young men who
formed the upper class in the winter
term.
There's Jed stroughton.'' urged
Mandy Mills. "Why, he's two years
older'n she be. And him trottin' over
to her house every evenin' t git help
with his Latin! What does the boy
want of Latin, anyhow? OF course,
it was the teacher he wanted. When
1 was girl and taught school, you
en- remember L used to whale the
boys good. They never had a chance
to flirt with tn teacher then"
81 Judson, chairman of the board.
told himself that that was in part re-
sponsible for her continuation in a
single state of. blessedness. but Mandy
was the sister of the editor of the
Banner" and ST wanted to be town
clerk at the next election.
So each of the other members had
been approached and the result was the
letter that lay on the desk in front OF
the girl. Had she been re-engaged she
might have spent the summer in Mil
ton. Now she must go back to TIL
hot city and haunt the teachers agcn-
cies until something else Offered for the
coming year.
Slowly she rose to her feet and w mt
to the door. At the threshold she
paused a moment and looked around
Her eyes filled as her glance swept the
empty benches and the CHASTITY white
walls with the faded maps. She had
been happy here in Milton. She was
looking at her schoolroom for the last
time.
She slipped across the road to judi
sons house and delivered the keys ito
the keeping of the grim-faced Mrs.
Judson.
II should like to say goodby to Mr..
Judson." she faltered "He has been
very kind to me this winter
IT sent him over to the Center" fi=
mother said stiff1y. Isl amt got no
call to be gaddin' about with young
girls. 'Tain't decent
ho oln no will mir oh Ne
of emphasis that just avoided a posi-
tive slam. and Bess turned away tow
ard the river. She loved the river 1t
was both companion and comforter, and
a little nook formed by a screen of
bushes, and the tears that had been
sternly depressed all day flowed I'M
checked.
When she had first come she had
looked forward to the long summer
days which she would spend by the
river. Then she had been full of en-
thusiasm and there was no question in
position. Now, just as the river seem
ed at it's best, she was going back to
the city. She recalled with a shudder
her struggles of the year before. Her
father had died just after she had
graduated from college. When the
small estate was settled it was found
that he had lived up to every penny of
his income. There was just enough
leave a couple of hundred dollars for
the girl. The half of this had gone for
board while she sought position. The
rest together with her small savings,
must go this year She had commenced
the drudgery of life. She could meet
1t brave1y, but it tore her heart to
leave the river and the country that
she loved so we'll.
She should see the river in town. she
knew, a broad, silent stream, covered
with shipping and discolored by the tides
her old friend; a tantalizing reminder of
the river she had lost. She was still
sobbing when a sharp, staccato bark re-
sounded and a small terrier bounded
into view.
Bess rubbed her eyes confusedly. The
dog was fawning upon her in a very
paroxysm of joy. Surely it would not
be Tony, and yet. On the glistening
collar plate she read the name. IT am
James Harvey's Tony. Tell him he's
lost me- Tony was a ghost from her
other life, and she threw her arms about
his wiry little neck and buried her head
upon his shoulder
James Harvey, coming softly UP to see
a moment to contemplate the picture |
Another instant he had sprung forward. |
Where did you drop from, Bess?" he |
demanded. ST have been searching the
four corners of the globe for you"
"I have been right here" she said
steadily as she offered cool, soft hand |
1T had to do something, SO decided to |
put to use my only talent. 1 amor, |
rather. have been-the teacher of Dis |
trict Four"
And the terror of every mother with |
-