Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-10-19

Such Is the story Of Jean Mitchell
jean Mitchell fl the Oldest daughter
CT a widow lady, and has beer ap-
poin ed teacher to take charge Of a
school, where, "A few have been In
the habit Of running things. and only
rod and muscular force held sway,
but Jean rushed In where Angels
dare not tread
This frail girl, neat and modest,
and thinking more Of her school
work than Of the fashion OF dress
arrived at the depot and Is brought
to the school house by Mr. Martin. a
member Of the school board, who, all
the way keeps up the subject of re-
bellion and anarchy. now and then
ment .oning the name of a former
teacher, "The fellers had put out.
The school room is at last reached
The trustees son Is present ready to
convey the latest news, concerning
the New teacher" to his father. Ill
tempered Joe Martin, sneaking Harry
Stevens, Chattering Sally Brown. and
Susan Forbes are also present.
The first thing on program was a
peal of the Red, White and Blue,
from the dust covered and time be-
grimed organ. 10 weld their little
hearts together instead Of long
course of lectures, rules and regula-
tions.
Their higher criticism does not pre-
vent the Scripture reading or the re-
peating of the Lords Prayer
The pupils begin to recover them
selves from the sudden change of
affairs, and the hum of noise begins
to arise from girlish, and shutting Of
che boys feet. The spit balls begin
to fly
Jean started to talk about parades.
instead of using the well known ex.
preston of Scholars, ! want you to
distinctly understand, that / am the
boss here and am going to have or
der in this room If l die by It," and
soon each little hand had flag rude
ly sketched on his slate.
At noon, Joe Martin was asked to
fix the organ and when he started
home, he said, Boys, ] guess she's a
different style teacher from any we've
ever had yet. and I'm going to stand
by her as she asked
No one could become restless or
disinterested when the walls were
filled with pictures and the boards
filled with well made drawings Every
morning was a fresh beginning, each
day was the world made new.
Miss Jean would make suggestions
and leave the children to discover,
Each school has it high tempered
Joe Martin, and when that point is
reached, may each teacher exclaim
as did Jean Mitchell Dear God, |
know net what go do next, please
help me"
Such will send Joe artin home ia
tears and heart talk with all our
sympathy poured out. will always
win over sneaking, lying Harry
Stevens. In this way we always win
the confidence of the roguish.
One by one the churlish pupils
were won over to spirit of loving
obedience and good fellowship. Ono
by one the dulland idle were inspir-
ed to courage and effort. BY such
means Jean Mitchell, brings hard
school into kindly cooperation.
Thanksgiving comes and the child
rem are enthused, the parents are
working for the teacher, the teache,
for the children.
Here is the secret, Miss Mitchell
sat mp late at night, preparing small
souvenirs for the occasion.
Now good-natured but AWKWARD
Benjamin comes in, to attend during
lHt NiuleI mon ms, anu ID hitt WIN
kindness and an appreciation for his
frankness.
The holidays, such as Arbor Day,
Lincoln's Birthday, and Washington
are all celebrated with appropr ate
exercises.
Harry Stevens life Is changed, and
Joe artin is ransacking the Libraries
for debates.
Why has this quiet change taken
place in this school? Have We not
loved our pupils? Have we not built
play houses? drew pictures, and told
stories of Robinson Cruso, or Jack
the Giant Killer?
We have tried all these things, yet,
there is something lacking,
Miss Mitchell took her pupils into
her own Confidence. until their young