The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1910-04-29
Dreaming Backward wenty-
Seven Years

county, and as is usually the case
with teacher, not possessing many
of this worlds goods, we borrowed
horse and buggy, patched up an old
set of harness and started out for the
neighborhood of Morehead with as
much pomp and glory as Roosevelt is
now getting out of his African hunt.
The writer had already secured
school and feeling very much inter
ested in young Tiff in whom he had
the utmost confidence in ability and
character decided to exert his efforts
in landing Tiff in good paying posi-
tion as rural teacher.
Toward the close Of the day we
drove up to a spacious looking farm
house where resided a very influential
member of the school board. Being
somewhat tired and hungry we decid-
ed to get the name of this director to
a teachers contract as soon as pos
sible.
AS young Tiff was somewhat timid,
the writer took it upon himself to do
most of the talking to this distin-
guished member of The board and
started out about as follows:
As we do not remember the name
of the director we will use the name
Mr.. Showmee. 81 have friend who
is seeking a position as teacher and
learning you had not employed one
for the ensuing year, L take great
pleasure in presenting to you my
friend, Mr.. Geo. r. Tiff.
"Wen, Mr.. Tilrt while we have not
employed teacher as yet, we are
rather particular in selecting one, as
we have decided that our teacher this
year must be man OF great oratori-
Cal ability as we want this school to
rank first in that line"
l said, "Well, Mr.. Showmee, that
being the case you certainly have a
man here that can fill these require
ments." The director replied, "'The
teacher we had last year claimed that
he was an orator too, but we found
out to our sorrow that he was not,
and L am a pretty fair judge as |
have worked at this a little myself.
Anyway as the old saying is "I'm
from Missouri and will have to be
shown"
Having confidence in young Tifft's
ability to carry out anything he
might undertake, said, Gentlemen,
follow me to the barn. Just why l
selected the barn instead of the par
lor, in which to try out Tifft's orator
ical powers, | am yet at loss to
know The barn was large struc
ure, in fact, much larger than barns l
had seen before. AS L had assumed a
great deal of authority in this matter,
| said to Tiff on the way to the barn,
give him the best you've got, for your
job depends on it, he replied. 81 am
all at sea, can't think Of one thing
to say" said, ''well make up some
thing and maybe you can fool him. "
We entered the barn and as L
seemed to be spokesman L suggested
to Mr.. Showmee that it was our desire
for him to feel perfectly easy as any
nervousness on his part might en-
barass the speaker. So l went to
work at once to arrange good COM
Portable seat by making use of some
sacks of corn that elevated him four
or five feet above the floor ] then
told him to sit perfectly still during
the speaking.
About this time l noticed young
Tiff walking rapidly in different
directions and every time pointing his
finger at the old gentleman's nose
This did not look good to me as
thought Tiff was making fun of the
farmer and l said, aside, "Tifft what
in this world are you doing? You'll
make that old man mad and never
get the school,"
He replied Before 1 begin to speak
l think it best to get the acrostiC
properties of this barn." This easeC
me somewhat as 1 saw that he was
master of the occasion.
He then took his position in front
of Mr.. Shawnee, while 1 retired to ;
nearby hay manger, having cracks
large enough for me to get a gooC
view of both speaker and audience
About the time 1 was comfortabl.
posed 1 observed an animal eatinI
hay at the end of the manger il
which 1 was seated and l looke'
at it and thought it was only a null
and couldn't hurt me.
A moment or so later 1 saw tn
same animal which was now still
closer, and this time it looked NOR
, like a buffalo. 1t kept on eatin
, eaannfnolv unnfndful of NV DreSence