Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-09-08
Nathan
Th1orpe's
Examination.
BY F. r. ROBBINS.

y - -
When he applied for the Swamp
Hollow school Nathan Thorpe was
barely seventeen years cd, but he
was large and strong for his age
and having attended the academy for
nearly two terms, he considered him
self we'll qualified to begin his career
as a teacher.
His father thought differently, and
tried to dissuade him from the under
taking. You don't know enough to
teach school, my SON." Mr.. Thorpe
declared, bluntly
Il don't believe il takes great
deal of knowledge to teach the Swamp
Hollow school," said Nathan.
Maybe not, Nathan, maybe not"
replied his father, significantly "i3tft
still it must take some"
But Nathan was not to be discour-
aged, and one pleasant Saturday. late
in the autumn, he walked four miles
across the fields and through the
woods over into the town Of Farm
ingdale to the house Of one Mr.. Mil
lett, who was the agent of the Swamp
Hollow school district.
'tNo. haven't hired any master
for the winter school yet" Mr.. Mil
lett admitted, when Nathan had
stated the purpose OF his errand.
But you're pretty young, amt ye?
shouldn't set ye over twenty at the
outside" he suggested. squirting his
eye in his accustomed manner when
inspecting live stock.
"Howsomeyer.'s he went on, after
Nathan had modestly owned to the
correctness OF this conjecture, Il
dknow as that need to bar you ont.
The deestrict voted not to pay over
ten dollars month, and board the
master round, and as told EN- at
the meeting, you can't expect much
at that figure. 4 dknow but ia as
soon risk it with young chap Just
beginning as l would with an old fell
Ter that was willing to work for that
7 price.
Il know you come of a good stock,
and judging by your looks, you ought
to be able to handle the school. No
very big boys to go. anyway. But
there Is one thing may bother you
you've got to have your certificate.
you know, before you can begin the
school. Maybe you don't know JEFF
Daggett, our school supervisor? This
is his first year, and he kind OF feels
his Importance, / guess.
JEFF isn't. much account in most
responsibilities long Of his father.
old Cap'n Daggett. and is just as
much under the old mans thumb as
ne was before he was one and TWEEN
ty. But he's got learning. and they
do say that you have to pass an aw-
ful tough examination before jeff
will give you certificate. don't
mind telling you that you're the fourth
chap that's been after the school, and
said to EN- all that I'd hire 'em II
they could get certificate, and l
Haven't seen nary one Of EN- since.
But maybe you'll have better luck,
seeing as you've been to Walnut Hill
Academy. You can go right up and
see jeff this afternoon, and If you get
your certificate. I'll hire you straight
off. You might as we'll come back
how you come out"
Nathan mlrmured his thanks for
this conditional engagement, but as
he shook the farmers hand he felt
by no means sure that he should
look upon his honest face again
n, 90 n w.
than had no difficulty in finding the
white house, with the tall tree in the
front yard, that had been described
to him, or in finding the supervisor
Of schools. who was in the barn,
with his father. engaged in husking
corn
Mr. Daggett was an understood
man, with STOPPING shoulders and a
very short ch n. At first glance he
appeared almost insignificant, espe.
cially in comparison with his father.
who was tall and erect. with br.stling
gray hair and deep-set eyes that look
ed out almost fiercely from under
shaggy broWs.
But when the little man had learn
ed the reason For Nathan,s call, his
eyes frightened, and he Strengthened
up into an attitude of dignity BETTING
his office.
Very we'll. he said, rising from
the milkingrstool On which he had
been sitting. IF you will step into
the house will proceed to examine
YOU
But here the old captain interposed,
in a tone Of command that fairly
startled the visitor.
"Ycn don't need to go into the
house. You can just as well stay
/ right where you are and keep on with
ycur huskins while you're putting the
young Teller through his PAGES. Get
him another stool and let him sit
down. and then fire away with your
questions. He can take some shingles
out of that bunch by the door to do
his figurin' on. I'm. tired of being
left TO work alone while you are in