The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-04-13
Improving ABOy
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uC-SCnOOl teACner, 10 hiss Carpenter,
her neighbor in the school, at recess,
81 wish that George Smith would pre-
tend he was dog once in while or
do something else to show that he
is a real live boy"
"Dog?" repeated Miss Carpenter.
looking puzzled.
Yes Roy. the young rogue, spent
about hve minues this morning bal
ancing an eraser on his nose. tossing
It into the air and catching 1t in his
mouth. My How he seemed to en-
Joy it," Miss Lucy laughed at the
recollection. He looked exactly like
my dog Bob when Bob Is doing tricks.
NO: the other pupils we're entirely
unaware OF his performance. because
this month Roy sits in the back row.
But little George seems never to
have any fun. he is so poor and weak
and shabby and dull. He never moves
all day.
No, I'm not tickled to death to
have him so quiet. He's too good. I'm
afraid he'll turn ont to be like that
embezzler who was the pride and JOY
OF every teacher he ever had. Didn't
you hear about him? Why, it was
right here in Chicago.
Il pointed out to Roy" continued
Miss Lucy. when | told him to copy
a poem tonight, that he'd better learn
to be good when he had kind teach.
er to punish him than be punished by
some hard-hearted employer when he
went to work and perhaps lose his
place From his actions | think he
would rather take his chances wlth
the cruel boss in the dim future than
be killed by behaving himself in the
present" Miss Lucy laughed, 81 as
sured him that he would be Thankful!
to me some day for making him cop,
the beautiful thoughts in the poem,
but he seemed very unappreciab
He didn't hesitate to tell me that he
would have 'beautifuller thoughts if
he could read Frank on a Gunboat.'
Yes, | agree with you that making
children copy poems is splendid
way to encourage a detestation of the
best literature, but | was determined
that Roy should do the work himself
this time. His mother stayed up hall
the night to work out the cancellation
examples that | gave him the other
day to punish him.
But, dear me, | wish Roy could
divide some OF his surplus energy with
George. What good times they
would both have."
The next day Miss Lucy had an.
other story to tell. II can grow elo-
quent to-day on the curse of granted
wishes" she said to Miss Carpenter.
"Why. | absolutely had my breath
taken away this morning. That timid
little George persstently kept his feet
stretched out in the aisle. When
Gertie fell over them l confined my
self to few remarks about girls who
went down the aisles with their heads
turned over their shoulders; but when
| went down the aisle and George
put out his foot so quickly that it
was only by falling on the neck OF
Harry and nearly strangling him that
saved myself, | could see nothing IN
it but pure righteousness. Do you
suppose he could have heard what /
said to you yesterday about him?
Yes, ! do like boys to have lit
tie fun. but ! draw the line at fur
nishing it for them by turning somer-
saults in the aisles. Miss Lucy join
ed in Miss Carpenters laugh, but not
with her usual heartiness. She las
plainly worried AT noon.'' she s'id
I'm going to try to find out what
possessed the little imp"
So Miss Lucy began her investiga-
tions at the first opportunity. Don't
cry so, George" she said but just
tell me why you were so bad this
morning. Don't be afraid, ! won't
punish you this time, because you
have always been such a good boy.
again, will you?"
But all her coaXings and pleadings
and threats were unavailing. Sobs
which shook the poor, thin little frame
were the boys only answer.
We'll, George, you will have to
bring your mother" said Miss Lucy,
quite out of patience.
The mother, as timid as her son,
could give no explanation when she
came to see Miss Lucy.
He is always a good boy at home"
she said. "He always gets the sup
per and cleans up the house when
am at work This week he gets up
half an hour earlier than usual-and
he is so sleepy-to clean his shoes
because then he thinks you viii be
| glad and maybe will let him stay by
| you after school and clean the black
! boards. He is so lonesome at home
when ] am away. and the boys don'J
/ like him, because he is so still. He
! likes you much, Miss Lucy. ] dom
( think he means to be bad"
"Oh, Mrs. Smith" said Miss Lucy
her voice tremulous 81 did notice
his shoes, but | didn't say anything
he is such a timid little fellow that
don't say much TO him. And his
shoes are lovely, and I'm never go
ing to be cross to you again"
George Is improving" Miss LucS