Middletown transcript., 1910-06-25

EOOm.
| The lady came forward, a lady
/ of 80, perhaps, a handsome lady
and very becomingly-and yet
| plainly-gowned.
She smiled upon the little
teacher and put out her hand.
am quite sure now, she said.
Then she turned to look for the
stout boy, but he had slipped in
| to his seat.
Ah, there he is, she merrily
cried. Thank you, she added.
Then she turned to the little
teacher. Isn't he funny dear |?
The little teacher had risen
and was looking inquiringly at
the visitor.
Won't you be seated, she said,
and gave her u chair that stood
beside the desk.
The visitor murmured her
thanks as she looked about the
room.
am trying to make it seem fa-
miliar, she said. She looked
back at the teacher. Idon't dare
to stare at you, she added. And
it isn't necessary-because you
have changed very little.
The teacher smiled at this.
Then you have taught in this
building ?
No, no, she answered.
The thin-faced girl in the front
row looked up eagerly.
Please, teacher, she hurriedly
suggested, maybe tn lady sub
stitooted.
The lady's laugh was pleasant
to hear.
No, little dear, she said, I neith-
er taught nor substituted. l
was a scholar here and sat in
the third chair in the first row
right here. She suddenly rose
and ran lightly to the seat she
had pointed out. Will you let
me sit in it again, my dear ? she
asked the wondering girl before
her. Thank you. She slipped
into the seat and sat up demurely
and all the children laughed.
/ have only to shut my eyes,
and then open them suddenly
and the scene all comes back to
me. She made a whimsical face.
If you please, teacher, my mother
is comm to school to see you
cause somebody stuck thistle
burr in my hair and it. looked
mos an hour to comb it out-an'
/ know tn boy who done it, but
won't never, never tell on him.
How the children laughed and
even the little teacher smiled
and then quickly held up her
hand.
TIL lady amt no snitcher, the
stout boy admiringly announced.
-Fritzie, the little teacher sharp
ly admonished.
The lady fluttered back to the
platform.
You must pardon my exuber-
ance, she said, but I'm so happy
to find myself in the old room.
I'm behaving in a way that is
very destructive to discipline,
but I'm sure my friends here
my new comrades-will not take
advantage oft. Will you, dears?
The stout boy arose with sur
prising quickness.
Surely not, lady, he cried.
Then he swung around and look
ed over the school. She is fine
lady, he said in an almost threat
ening tone, an no snitcher
The lady beamed on the stout
boy.
A charming compliment, she
said. Then she looked back at
the teacher. Won't you let me
have my way here for just a little |
while? I'll promise not to be
naughty learned to be good |
right here in this room. Will il
interfere too much with the
studies if l tell the scholars a
little story?
D A story! a story! cried the
eager listeners.
The teacher looked at her
watch.
In twenty minutes we have
recess, she smilingly said. win
twenty minutes be enough /?
Oh, yes, cried the lady, I'm
sure it will be quite enough, she
suddenly laughed. You don't
remember me, do you?
No, replied the little teacher.
II you were my pupil it was a
long time ago.
Twenty years ago, dear teacher
said the lady softly. And now
for my little story.
Il