Middletown transcript., 1908-02-29
Wen, Hida, do you want to try

ing with his back to the fire,
which Hilda had quickened when
she heard him coming. She knew
he would be chilled, for it was g
cold February night.
Johnston told me that there
would be q change for the spring
term down here in Hazel Row.
he went on. The board is going
to meet next Monday, he said.
So If you want to try again we'd
better get in your application
within a day or two.
Mrs. Kenyon heard her hus-
bands question, and came in
from the kitchen to hear what
further he might have to say,
while the two younger children
dropped their play to listen.
They were all interested inHilda's
attempt to get a school.
You could board at home If
you got that, said Mrs. Kenyon.
It's only two miles.
Mr.. Kenyon laughed. Better
catch your hare before you cook
it. Perhaps Hilda doesn't even
want to try again.
Papa, cried Hilda, Indignantly, sou
know want 10 try agaiuA But now lis
ten, You and mama both. And please
don't think don't appreciate what you
have done to help me; but ] want to go
all alone this time. II am ever going to
make teacher, I must learn to depend
upon myself. Ican't alwa Us have you
20 do things for me. And besides, |
don't blame school board for not hiring
q teacher who hasn't grit enough 10 ap-
ply alone. You know / can't say any
thing for myself when you are along,
papa. can talk before stranger lots
better than / can before you.
Idon't see why Jon should feel that
way, interposed Mra. Kenyon. You surely
are not afraid Of your father.
I'm not afraid Of him in one sense,
but in another sense am. | can't talk
to ha&Pre him as I could il |
wdfs - ape appiy for me last
fall, and let him 10 along twice this
spring. and haven't school JET.
Mrs. Kenyon stated to speak, but her
husband shook his head at her. / guess
we'll have to let you have your way this
time, be said. Wen see il you succeed
any better than did.
Hilda gave him grateful look.
But how are you going ? he asked.
Couldn't walk ? Il isn't far.
No, indeed. johnston, Of course, is
less than two miles away, but Mr.. Andrews
lives four or five miles notheast,
and Smith is as far in the other
direction. You II have over twelve
miles, too much snow for you
to walk, any way, even if
it wasn't too far. And ! can't
trust you to drive the team alone
as cold as it is.
I can ride old Selim. He's safe i
enough.
Yes,he's safe enough. But you
will find 1t pretty cold, riding so
far on horseback.
You'd better let your father
take you in the buggy, said Mrs. |
Kenyon. Youth freeze to death
on Selim.
Now, mama, please! begged |
Hilda, and her mother said no
more.
Hilda had many ambitions, but
the nearest and most absorbing
one was to get a school, |
Beyond that lay a college
course, and beyond that-she
hardly dared to think of all the
good things the future might
hold for her and hers if only she
might go to college. But she
knew that the money for a
college course must come from
her own efforts.
She had been a proud girl
when her first certificate came. I
It was only for year, of course.
According to the laws of the
state, one must have taught three
months to receive a certificate
for longer time than that. But
her grades were high enough to
entitle her to a second class.
The county superintendent
had enclosed a kind little note
with the certihcate, and had
spoken personally to her father,
commencing her work very
highly. Hilda felt that she had
> right to be proud.
But the certificate in itself was |
not worth much. Its chief value
lay in the fact that it entitled
ner to teach il she could get a
school. And how she did want
! school She dreamed Of it /.
By night and talked Of it By day. Il
Her fathers announcement
hat there was vacancy 81 nnar