The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-08-17
Patsy Morgan's
Waterloo.


Tho gong in the x school
sounded for dismissal. followed by
the usual outpouring of children with
their clatter and noise
"We got a new teacher! We got a
new teacher!" chorused the excited
pupils of Room as they made a
Lodore-like exit among the others.
Immediately they were surrounded
by a group of interested boys and
girls from other rooms. who clamor-
ously delighted them with questions
Out Of the confusion which followed
from trying to answer several ques-
tions at the same time, Miss Ethlyn,
of the eighth grade, who wore an ac-
contemplated skirt TO school every
day, made heI:elf heard above the
rest.
what does she look like?" she
asked, pointedly.
Several little girls tried to answer,
but Elizabeth, the immensely of
whose butterfly bow made her author
ity on matters OF Importance, waved
them haughtily aside:
wy, she locks somethin' like the
10y what used to keep the lunch
counter at the junction, only teacher
she's kind o. thin, an she's got blue
eyes, stead O. blown, an her hair
amt black like that lady's, but it's
kind o slate-colored, an she don t
wear no rat, an"
AN she amt got no di'munt ring,
neither!" added Gladys, pityingly.
But she's got green silk waist,
Just like my ma got down town at the
bargain SALE" said Helen, whose
mother was the acknowledged leader
of the styles in that neighborhood.
AN she hath a buckle on the
fronth Of her belth and one on the
back" lisped Annie. The failure of
Armies eyes to track" probably &C
counted for the complete inventory
she had taken Of her teachers APP
pearance.
Meanwhile, an excited group of
boys had gathered around Patsy Nor
gan. Patsy enjoyed the honor of be-
ing the incorrigible of the school.
Patsy's former teacher. with the com
bined help of Patsy's mother and of
his father (sometimes) the principal,
the truant officers and the janitor,
had succeeded in reducing Patrick to
state of docility, which, at least,
made life with him bearable. Now a
grin which out-Cheshired all known
Cheshires, illumined his freckled face
clear up to his stubby hair, as he
strobe proudly among his admiring
friends and delivered himself thus:
Gee, but she's easy! She amt
goggle-eyed like old Biffkins was, al
ways watchin' a Teller to see what he
is dom! This teachers peach! She
don't hear nothin', an she don't see
nothin'. Here's where Patsy Moran
studies hard, nit From this time on
l has good time, and don't you fell
lows forget it! It's me fer the gay
life, ha! hal" and Patsy tapped his
chest significantly as he staggered up
the alley toward his home.
And Patsy kept his word. lie not
only refrained from study, but he
made it impossible for those around
him to study. Miss Morris, who had
met Patsy's type many times before
In her varied career, went blissfully
about her work as If Patsy's disgrace
| full behavior was not worth mention
ing. The other children were simply
| amazed at her behavior, and Patsy
himself was somewhat puzzled by itl
| 1t was too good to believe! Boldly
he ran the whole gamut OF INSIDE
l meanors incident to school-shufline
his feet. under his desk when any one
| walked across the room, rafting his
inkwell top with exasperating regu-
larity, banging up each seat as he
passed down the aisle, pulling down
the curtains as he passed the win
| dows. filling his floor with ink and
| scattering Il on the floor I'm n semi.
circle Of mournful-looking blotches.
Thus the week passed BY Friday
afternoon Patsy had very nearly ex.
hausted his resources I'm the way OF
| amusements Somehow he couldn't
understand Miss Morris-she was SO
unlike any other teacher he had ever
seen. To tell the truth, ne was really
beginning TO think she was no good
else why didn't she make him behave
When tho gong rang for dismissal
/ Patsy began to throw his books into
his desk preparatory to making q
| hasty exit.
! Patrick Morgan and DougIa,
Smith may remain after school," an
nounced Miss Morris quietly. "Th,
others may pass
Patsy could scarcely believe hi,
ears lie was so taken aback that n,
could only stare I'm open-moutheC
wonder. too astonishod TO notice tho
significant winks and mods Of his de-
/ parting classmates.
Outside the schoolhouse door Z
group Of his intimate friends excited.
~ speculated on what might happier
to Patsy, and they decided TO wall
until he came out and get the story
/ from the hero himself Twenty min
utes went BY, thirty. then forty, and