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

far enough away from the house, as
she had done at Mr.. JohnstOn's, to en-
able her to accomplish this feat with
out being seen. And she was truly
thankful that no one asked her how
she came. She much preferred that
the men whose interest she was try
ing to enlist should not see her perch
ed up on old Sellm, like a big round
bump on log" as ner father had
expressed it.
Fortunately, she found both Mr.. An
drews and Mr.. Smith at home, but she
ala not receive the encouragement
from them that she had done from
Mr.. Johnston. Indeed Mr.. Andrews
told her that the school was as good
as engaged, and that it was useless for
her to see Mr. Smith Hilda, remem-
bering what Mr.. Johnston had told
her about the cousin, made no reply,
but resolved to call upon Mr. Smith.
Mr.. Smith listened to her courteous
ly and quietly. Pretty young, aren't
you?" he asked
Hilda laughed Il expected you to
say that But it isn't always age and
experience that make success. I have
always wanted to teach, and I've al
ways thought could teach and l be-
lieve / can, If am young"
i don't know but that's the right
way to talk. We've got to believe in
ourselves before we ever amount to
much. How much would you want
month";"
She was not prepared for this ques-
ton. In her heart she knew that she
would take the school at whatever
they might offer. But she reflected
that It would not be policy to say so,
so she answered:
Whatever you have been paying
for your spring term"
We'll, We'll talk over your applica-
ton Monday, If we want you, we will
let you know You needn't come to
see us about it again"
Hilda was obliged to be content with
this. She thanked him, and then, be-
hind the grove where she had tied her
horse, she bundled herself up for the
ride home, where an eager audience
listened to her story while she thawed
out her fingers aud toes.
The next six days seemed intermin-
ably long to her, but Monday came at
last. All day she listened expectantly
for step on the front porch, but no
one came that day or the next. We'd
nesday morning she was helping her
father about the barn, when she heard
some one behind her, and turned to
face Mr.. Johnston.
"Hello!" he cried $50 you conclud-
ed to try farming il you couldn't get
school?"
Hilda smiled in reply She could
not trust herself to speak. SO she had
failed again.
Mr.. Johnston chatted with her faith
Ell, for time, while she went bravely
on with her work. 1t would never
do to let him know how disappointed
she was
well, Hilda," he said, finally, 'T1l
expect you to do me credit this
spring"
Hilda looked up, surprised.
I'VE concluded we would try you,"
he continued. Andrews stuck out for
his cousin, but Smith went with me.
Smith was quite taken with you. An
drews cousin had let him attend to
her application, and had never come
to see one of us about it, Smith didn't
like that way Of doing things, and /
confess don't, myself. You'll get
thirty-ive dollars for three months If
that is satisfactory, guess we might
as well go to the house and sign the
contract now.p
Hilda felt that she was treading on
air as she followed him to the house,
and when she saw her name signed to
the little slip of paper, the contract
between herself and District No. SO,
she secretly pinched herself to see if
she were awake She wanted to shout
but of course that would not do. But
the moment Mr. Johnston was gore
she seized her mother about the waist
and whirled her round the room.
Just think, mama! Just Think"
she cried, ''I've actually got school.
One hundred and five dollars, and no
board to pay. Maybe, now, won't
have to wait any longer to go to col
lege than I had expected to do in the
first place. And, mama" she drew her
mother close and whispered in her ear,
when get to be professor in some
big university you won't have to work
any more, and can give you the
things that I've wanted and wanted so
long to give ou"-Youth's Compan-
ion.
A Curious Hotel.