The Delta independent., 1907-06-14

in being considered of enough conse-
quence to be talked about now and
thenv
"It's privilege l wouldn't pay for,
l can tell you." said Hortensia tartly.
Then | am afraid you are working
at a trade instead of rising in your
chosen profession" said Sophronia.
EVERY teacher ought to be paid enough
to keep him, body, MIND and spirit. in
the best possible condition for work.
That is mere good economy, just as it
is good economy for farmer to keep
his machinery well-oiled and his farm
animals well housed and cared for"
"You are not using good economy in
your own case then,' said Hortensia.
II won't say word about myself, for
my work is much easier than yours
anyway; but you have worked far be-
yond your strength this year; and /
know you have gone without books you
these things have tried your soul, al
though don't expect you to admit it. /"
''lf you mean have been worth more
than | have been paid said Sophronia,
Il certainly hope you are right; but
that is the case with every good teacher.
You may pay a man, whose aim is to
work so many hours for so many dollars,
all that he earns-possibly more. But
as you were saying few minutes ago,
a real teacher must be some body and
in order to pay him all he is worth you
would have to pay not only for what he
does, but for what he is, every hour of
the twenty four; and that is neither
possible nor desirable. The teacher
who does his work with his eye on the
clock and his mind on payday, had
better seek some occupation where his
influence will be less harmful, for the
mercenary spirit is about the last thing
that the young people of today. need to
be taught, either by precept or by exam
pie. Teaching is poor trade, Horton
STA, but it is glorious and satisfying
profession.'
After ALL" said Hortensia little
wearily, "even in a profession. you
don't want to work too many hours for
your bread and butter.'
Il know it and I'm hungry for mine
right now." sad Sophronia. Don't you
hill again? III open my letters, if |
may. before we get into town; and we
wont talk shop any more.
One after another Sophronia tore
open her half dozen letters, while Hor-
tensia walked beside her in the friendly
silence of good comradeship, until they
had nearly reached the turn IN the
steep grade. There, the sedate So
phronia almost surprised Hortensia into
makn mis-step and sliding off the
grade.
'Hortensia,' she cried. do you
believe in telepathy? Look at what |
have been carrying in my hand while
we discussed the matter of salaries.'
and she spread a typewriter sheet,
with the business heading of the secre-
tary of the school board, before Hor-
tensia's delighted gaze.
Never mind the first part. That's
just the usual thing about their being
happy to inform me of my reelection,
said Sophronia eXcitedly.
Maybe it isn't so usual with every
BODY said Hortensia.
We'll, it is with you, Don't growl,
but read that last paragraph said
Sophronia:-
'It is with especial satisfaction that
We retain our entire force of high school
Instructors at an increase of ten dollars
each. per month"
Now" said Sophronia. .'aren't We
sorry we didn't read that before we
said anything meant"
W uIuil 1 say oily tilliiS HiSai o'io
I'm not sorry,'' said Hortensia. Il
couldn't be sorry for anything, with
that ten dollar gold piece shining in
my eyes like a sunrise on the ocean,
"Now." said Sophronia, ..1'll have
new hat every season and all the books
want. If there's anything this town
respects, it's fine millinery and plenty
of it: and if there's anything my heart
Graves, it's fine books and plenty of
them. can please the town and my
self now
well, shall not put any more but
tons in the contribution box. said Hor
tensia cheerfully and III have all
kinds of shoe laces. If there's any
thing this town expects of you it's
pennies in the contribution box: and if
there's anything my foot Graves it's
ALL kinds of shoe laces.
Aren't you ashamed to mock me
like that" said Sophronia, when
YOU re going to have ten whole dollars
more to spend. each month, next year!
Let's go into Eaton's and celebrate
with soda, while we plan how we can
make every dollar 60 the farthest'
II its electric bring il to me or I'll