The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-01-31

back to his desk and sat there swing
ing his feet idly. lie was determined
that he would not study and wondered
vaguely If the teacher would try to
thrash him for his disobedience.
Presently the others We're gone. and
Miss Aurtha went back to her desk.
Another scholar had been kept in TO re-
write the spelling lesson, ana Miss
Murtha waited quietly until the task
was done. At last they two were alone.
and she called to him. Not once had
she noticed him before, and Tim went
forward wonderingly.
They told me that you We're a bad
boy" she said, 'but did not think
that you would act so toward q Won
an"
Whats the difference?" he demand
ed. You get paid to teach US. don't
you, just like MANI"
Gently she explained that she had
been hired to teach the school, but that
she could not remain If she could not
handle the pupils. If he and some of
the other boys persisted in being dis
obedient, she would have to give up
the school and they would have de-
prlved her Of a chance to earn a living.
When she had finished. Tim looked Up.
Say" he said penitently, I'm let
you lick me II you want to. l won't
fight back"
Il don't want to whip YOU" she said
as she stopped and kissed him Il want
you to be good boy; that's all"
Tommy English was waiting for him
as the subdued Tim went out did
she lick youY' he demanded eagerly.
Il didn't hear you holler"
With a howl Tim sprang at him and
thrashed him as a relief for his over
wrought feelings.
AN I'll do it again if you say any
thing about Miss Murtha," he promised
as he released his victim, AN I'll lick
any Of you fellers what makes trouble
for her"
1t took but a week to make that fact
apparent, and those who had taken adj
vantage Of the fact that Miss Murtha
did not believe in physical punishment
learned to behave.
Then came Rem Hanway upon the
scene and it soon became apparent
that Marion had fallen in love. The
proposition was almost too much for
Tim to grasp, but in a vague way he
realized that the teacher cared a great
deal for Rem. He was not jealous
though he resented the lost walks home
with Miss Murtha, because now Rer
called for her with his buggy, and Tin
was left behind.
But the course Of true love never die
run smooth, and one afternoon Tin
came back to the scboolroom to fine
Miss Murtha, with her head bowed OF
her arms, her slight form shaken by
sobs. Softly he stole out Of the room
and made for the village
Rem would probably be in the Office
Of the lumber yard, and thither he ben
his steps. Hanway was working a
his desk when the door burst open an(
Tim was upon him like a young cata
mount, pummeling and kicking indis
criminately. The attack was so sud
den that it was several minutes before
Hanway could grasp the youngster.
Tears of rage stood in Tins eyes al
he struggled to get free.
"You let me aloner' he shouted. CIV
got to lick you. ! said 1 was goin' t.
lick any Teller that made Miss Murth'
cry. an licked 'em all except Bill,
Hendricks, an l threw stones at him.
Il didn't make her cry" laughed
| HeOuyov fhOpOb bIc faro wont vor-
white. what makes you think sop
You used to drive her home" criet
Tim, "an' now you don't come an
more. an I went into the schoolrooI
this afternoon. an she was cryin', wit
her head ON the desk, an I knew
was your fault an 1 want to lick you.
Hanway's face glowed with pleasure
There had been a small quarrel, but s
successfully had she hidden her fee
ings that he did not think she cared.
"I'll hitch up and go right over t
tell her I'm sorry" he said. "Will tina
do?"
IF she says yes" agreed Tim. Har
way went out
That evening Tim was at the Presb!
terrain social when Miss Murtha an
Hanway came in. Miss Murtha ben
over and kissed him.
my little champion" she whispered
'FYou have made me so happy"
"Then I won't lick Rem again. prom
ised the pleased Tim. 81 thought you
want me to-"