The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-09-10
Nathan
Thorpe's
Examination
By F. E. ROBBINS.

When he applied for the Swamp
Hollow school Nathan Thorpe was
barely seventeen years old, but he
was large and strong for his age.
and having attended the academy for
nearly two terms, he considered him
self well qualified to begin his career
as 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.
II don't believe it takes a great
deal of knowledge to teach the Swamp
Hollow school," said Nathan.
Maybe not, Nathan, maybe not"
replied his father, significantly. But
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.
/ mo, / 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 We?
] shouldn't set We over twenty at the
outside he suggested, squirting his
eye in his accustomed manner when
inspecting live stock.
sHowsomever," he went on, after
Nathan had modestly owned to the
correctness of this conjecture, II
d'know as that need to bar you ont.
The deestrict voted not to pay over
ten dollars a month, and board the
master round, and as / told 'em at
the meeting, you can't expect much
at that figure. d'know but I'd as
soon risk it with young chap just
beginning as ] would with an old fell
Ter that was willing to work for that
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.
"JeR 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.
Dul tough examination before Jeff
will give You certificate. l don't
mind telling you that you're the fourth
chap that's been after the school, and
said 10 'em all that I'd hire 'em Il
they could get a certificate. and I
haven't seen nary one of 'em since.
But maybe you'll have better luck,
seeing as you've been to Walnut Hill
Academy. You can go right I'D and
see JEFF this afternoon, and If you get
your certificate, I'll hire you straight
on. You might as well come back
this way, anyhow, and let me know
how you come out"
Nathan murmured 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.
After a walk of mile or so. Ma
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
nan, with stooping shoulders and a
Fery short chin. At first glance he