The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-11

of the stage had won Icons deep admira-
tion. He did not have to be educatedD
On reaching the white house which stood
SO lonely on a hill. Leon timidly ap-
preached the door. 1t was open and from
1t came the sounds of childrens voices as
IL reading aloud. A lovely young woman
was standing near the open door. book
In hand. Leon looked up into her face,
but could not gather courage to speak.
Evidently the pretty young lady saw his
embarrassment, for she came outside the
door and stood upon the lower step. Good
morning, little man. she said. In the
gentlest of voices. Immediately she had
won Icons heart. what is your manner"
Leon Richard Harding. six years ole
las week." replied Leon. Then he blushed.
for he was a bashful little chap. having
seen SO few strangers in his life..
And Is that your dinner In the little
pailr' asked the pretty lady designating
Icons little tin luncheon pail.
"Yes'm," replied Leon. Granny put in
lots of goodies for me to eat at school.
But-but-Im not going to school,
The pretty lady raised her eyebrows
Not going to school?' she asked, won
derment In her eyes. Leon felt quite
ashamed to have confessed the truth
Perhaps she thought him wicked boy
one who wished to be a fool-if he did
not go to school, Then he decided to ex-
cuse himself by explaining why he would
not go. THE teacher would lick me- he
said. lump coming In bis throat. "An
the big boys would tease me. l don't
want to go to school. ! want to find my
home and--and-Granny."
At mention Of home and Granny tears
came into the baby eyes Of little Leon.
The pretty lady saw them, and STOPPING,
she put her arm about his shoulders and
said: mo, the teacher will not lick you,
dearie, nor will she allow the big boys to
tease you. Come. III put you beside my
desk today. Then you'll like 1t BETTER
And she led Leon. calmly yielding. into
the big room where about twenty boys
and girls were sitting before funny little
tables, two and two together.
And then 1t was that Leon beheld Jack
and Mary jackson, his nearest neighbor
children. They grinned at him in q friend
ly way. And Leon began to wonder what
the place was, and why so many children
were assembled together. 1t was some
time before it dawned upon him that this
was the school, and by some unknown
road he had been led right into its ter
rible jaws! But-the pretty ladyl Could
1t be that she was the TEACHER, that
horrible creature he had so feared2 Yes,
so 1t proved to be. And she had him sit
ting on chair close beside her, and after
a while she taught him many words that
were written on a blackboard. And then
she tapped little bell, saying: Recess
for Is minutes" And the children oil
sprang to their feet and ran out into the
big yard, playing together. And wonder
OF wondersl Jack and Mary Jackson led
Leon out, and he Joined in the games
that were played. Oh, such fun he had!
And when the bell rang he was reluctant
to leave on playing till he remembered
the lovely teacher. Then he ran In and
got on his chair and was most happy to
watch the big pupils at their study. And
teacher gave him some work to do on a
slate. which he found intensely interest