The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-05-19
Her
Country
A Flag Day Story
By Clarissa Mackie
A Flag Day Story
By Clarissa Mackie
Copyright by American Press Asso
alton. 1911,


Miss Fleming adjusted the spectacles
on her thin nose and peered nearsight-
eddy at the principal of the Lakeland
school. There was look of greedy
expectancy In her little eyes as she
waited for his response
"What shall I do about the matter,
Mr.. Freeman, or do you want Miss
Lands to make her own rules2 OF
course the other teachers are making
the usual preparations for the OBJ
seryance of the anniversary of the
birth of our glorious emblem of free.
dom"
"You say that Miss lands refuses
to carry out the program / have out
linedT he asked ut last.
YES"
what is her reason"
"Why, she says it's asking too much
of IN Englishwoman to celebrate the
birth OF flag that brought defeat to
her countrymen."
"Please send Miss lands to me, and
will talk with her."
After the assistant principal had de-
parted Paul leaned back in his chair
with a certain pleasurable expectancy
in the coming interview. The shy re-
serve Of the youngest teacher had
proved great attraction for the grave
young man, and the occasional glimpses
hn 90 MI
der the thick fringe of lashes had been
bittersweet lessons in a study that
had not been included In the curricu-
lum of his university.
Uhe door opened, and Angela lands
entered the little office.
"You sent for me, Mr.. Freeman"
she inquired In her low vibrant voice.
He turned his dark, thoughtful face
toward her; 1t was almost stern In its
self repression. Eyes. Miss Lands. Is
1t true that you have refused to carry
out the Flag day program assigned to
your room?"
''Yes," she said.
'Do you not call that insubordina-
tion?" he asked quietly.
eyes"
you know the penalty for that, Miss
Landls2"
""The culprit shall be called before
the board and II found guilty shall be
dismissed, returned the youngest
teacher promptly, quoting from the
rules that hung in each classroom.
Paurs lips twitched n little. II hope
/ shall be spared that unpleasant duty,
Miss Landls Can't we compromise
the matter2"
She looked out of the window at the
tumbllng bees, and her eyes clouded
with sudden concern. 1t would be n
serious catastrophe IL she should lose
her position In the Lakeland school. 1t
would mean the breaking up of the
tiny home she and her widowed mother
had made In the newlbJuntry and their
removal to another town and the con-
sequent expense. which they could Ill
afford.
The color faded from her cheeks, and
frightened questioning glance came
into the violet eyes.
''You are troubled, Miss lands. Per
haps l may be able to help you out"
suggested the principal In his pleasant
voice. He had read in her face the
problems that confronted her. "Tell
mo what you did last year on the 14th
of JuneT'
81 was not here then. came at tho
same time you did, Mr. Freeman-at
the opening of the fall term in Sep
tember."
The principal drew sheet of paper
from a drawer In his desk and studied
the penciled memoranda he had made
OF the exercises for Flag day. He
looked up, and his brown eyes caught
hers with one of his rare smiles.
81 see that your class is not called
upon to perform many deeds of pa
triotism ON the 14th. They are TO
assemble in the hall with the rest of
the school, and three of your children
are to recite poems about their-your-
our flag, Miss lands. Except for
joining In the singing of patriotic
songs they have nothing else to do
Surely you cannot object to drilling
them in these poems. and the music
Instructor will take charge OF the sing
ing"
Miss Lands rose and stood before
him, her red lips curving rebelliously.
81 do object to carrying out these In
structions, Mr., Freeman, but l must
submit because / am afraid l will lose
my position. But you don't know how
hate this countryr' She turned flash
ing eyes on him in which all the gen
tleness had given place to contempt
81 wish you would tell me why you
hate It." he said calmly.
"You cannot understand" she said
bitterly. IL was born and bred in
England. Until FIVE years ago l had
never seen America. Then my moth
er married again, and she married an
American whom / detested. He talk
ed of nothing save his country--its
size, its superiority, its wealth-and he
waved the American flag morning,
noon and night. He was broker. and
his business was IN New York. So we
came here, and went to finishing
school, where the girls laughed at my
pam NAOthSo uhN hsVNhSo AhS nNNNh~
Then my mothers husband lost ev-
erything he possessed and shortly aft
er his failure died. leaving US almost
penniless. He had lost my mothers
little fortune as well as his own.
81 went to normal college and quail
fed for a teacher, and this is my first
position. j cannot afford to lose 1t,
Mr.. Freeman, and so / shall do my
best to drill my pupils in the patriotic
lore of their country, for that is what
/ am paid to do. as Miss Fleming has
raynindaH mo ~