The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1910-09-17
MINNIE'S SCHOOL.

she had attended the kindergarten
for quite; some time, and knew ever
so many things. She could read a
bit, too, in tiny little book written
| in very big letters. And she could
sing ever SO many pretty songs, and
could make funny little figures out
Of clay Indeed, Minnie was consid-
cred a most clever little girl for her
years.
She is going to become a great
woman" said 9randmamma, nodding
her head emphatically.
Shes the prettiest little witch in
all the country declared grandpapa
earnestly.
She's a genuine little brick, and
my pal" laughed papa, patting Min
MES curly head.
She's just my own darling baby"
said mamma. tenderly, STOPPING to
kiss her wonderful little daughter.
I'm goin' to be a teacher in
formed Minnie, proudly. An my
first day of school is to be this morn
in"
OH" calculated papa. And who
are to be the pupils, dearie??'
"Tabby, Hero, Puggins, Georgia
May, Florence and links" said Min
ME, counting them off on her fin
gers.
Tabby was the dear old family
cat. Hero and Puggins were the two
pet dogs, Hero being a fine big fell
low, while Puggins was just what his
name implied, a fat, wrinnied-taced
little pug, whose nose was always
turned heavenward. Georgia May
and Florence were Minnie's lovely
dolls, and links was a big Japanese
doll dressed like sailor.
School was called at 9 o'clock
sharp, and was held in mammals
sewing room, for there the windows
were so nicely shaded from the hot
sun. Minnie brought her pupils in
with her and ranged them against
the wall on chairs. But she found
it very difficult to make Hero and
Puggins sit still. And old Tabby,
too, gave her some trouble, for just
as she was about to begin the reci-
tations Tabby jumped to the floor
and began playing with an empty
spool she found under table. But
Minnie took the spool from her and
hid it under a cushion on the couch.
Then she put Tabby on her chair
and said, speaking to the class:
Now, chilluns, school is COM
menced. So you mus behave very
nicely. Listen, there, Hero, an stop
scratchin' your ear. An you, Pug
gins, wake up. Stop your snorin'
Now, Tabby, tell me how to catch
mice"
Tabby looked wise, but said moth
ing. But Minnie knew Tabby could
not talk, so she played at talking
for her.
81 go to the cellar when it's very
dark an sit beside a hole an catch
one" Minnie answered her own
question. (Of course, she played it
was Tabby who replied.)
Every good, Tabby," encouraged
Minnie. Then, turning to Hero, she
asked: Hero, did you ever catch a
very wicked tramp at was tryin' to
get into the stable to steal eggs?"
Then she replied for Hero:
Eyes, ma'am, teacher. l often bark
very loud at tramps at creep round
the stable an house at night.
wake up your papa, so at he can
chase the tramps away l am very
brave dog, teacher"
eyes, you are very brave" admit
ted Minnie. But you don't say at
you ever caught tramp. Barkin' at
one isn't catchin of him."
What sort of work do you like to
DO, Puggins?" Then she replied for
Puggins who was now fast asleep on
his chair:
Il like to chase stray cats an to
bark at other dogs. An love to eat
cake. May l have some cake after
SCHOOL,"
But at this minute Hero got {
his chair most deliberately and went
to the door leading into the hall.
Before the little teacher could get
him back again he had gone leaping
down the stairs and an instant later
Minnie heard him barking at some
passerby out of doors.
Then Minnie turned her attention
to the others of the class, and To-
Puggins awakened and was chasing
Tabby round the room, and Tabby
was enjoying the frolic as much as