The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-10-09

| get the place she could save all her
salary, for the schoolhouse was so
near that she could board at home as
her mother had said. She must get
| 1t, that was all. And she felt that she
must go alone. Mr.. Kenyon made no
objection this time, and Mrs. Kenyon
consented on the condition that Hilda
would allow herself to be well bundled
up for the long, cold ride.
Hilda readily consented to this, but
she almost rued her bargain in the
morning when her mother insisted on
putting large coat OF her own over
Hildas and in tying a scarf over the
warm hood, and when the girl had
climbed on the horse she had wrap
ped warm shawl about her.
How in the world am to get on
and off again with all this stun,
mama?" she asked Il feel as wrap
ped up as mummy. know I'll
brighten all the horses / meet.H
1t was well, perhaps, that she could
not see herself, for she certainly cut
rather ridiculous figure. Added to all
the rest, she was riding her fathers
saddle. The right stirrup had been
thrown over, and in this her foot rest
ed, while the left stirrup dangled be-
low. She had never been fortunate
enough to possess a side saddle, and
had often ridden in this way about
the farm. But she could not help feel
Ing a little sensitive about her ap-
pearance on this occasion, which
meant so much to her, and she wished
her mother would not be so fussy.
AS she drew near Mr.. Johnston's
house, she considered.
1t would take her some time to dis
entangle herself from her many wrap
pings, and to any one watching from
the house she would present rather
ridiculous appearance III her neces-
sarily clumsy efforts to dismount. So
she halted old Selim some distance
from the front gate, and here, hidden
by the trees, she Invested herself of
her extra garments.
Her heart was pounding away Wig
orously as she knocked and inquired
| II Mr.. Johnston was in. She had
known him ever since she could re-
member, but he seemed suddenly to
have become almost stranger. Out
wardly, however, it was very dig
ni1ed young lady who presented her
case before him.
1t seemed to her that he looked at
her for fully five minutes without
speaking. 80 you want to teach?"
he asked at last. Pretty young,
aren't you? How old are you? Seven
teen?'
Yes, sir" answered Hilda Il sup
pose that isn't very old, but have a
good certificate, and / am pretty sure
that can teach good school, At
least, I'd try my best if you would
give me chance"
That's what they all say, remark
ed Mr.. Johnston.
Il know. But that is all can say
till somebody gives me chance to
show what can do.
you have had no experience, of
course"
mo. But if l am ever to make a
teacher, I'll have to teach my first
school sometime and somewhere"
Il guess that's so. Got some pretty
good grades here He had been ex.
aiming the certificate she had hand
ed him.
Eyes, sir answered Hilda, modest
ly,
Again he was silent Then he handed
her back her certificate. well, I'll
tell you, Hilda. So far as | am con-
cerned, am willing to give you a
chance. I've know you ever since you
were baby, and know you are a
wide-awake, energetic little girl But
I'm only one of three, and | am afraid
you won't stand the best of chances
with the other two. You don't know
chance. I've known you ever since you
thought not. Andrews wants the
place for cousin of his, and Smith
will think you are too young. But go
and see both of them. Don't tell them
what I've said. Simply say that you
spoke to me about it, Smith is presi-
dent Of the board"
Hilda thanked him and went her
way, much encouraged in spite of what
he had said about her possible recep-
ton by the other two members.
She experienced some difficulty in
mounting and dismounting each time
encountered as she was, but that did
not trouble her much now, although
she was careful at botn places to stop