Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-03-14
CHAPTER III.

/ Il btOEe ulSCuoo ROht2Sc 90 q 6Su
Hi eral thing, state and national
u politics In their seasons. but
county politics and local affairs al
ways. The question In Bayport that
summer, aside from that Of the harbor
appropriation. was who should be
hired as downstairs teacher. Our
schoolhouse Is two story building
with q schoolroom on each floor. The
lower room. where the little tots begin
with their "c-a-t, cat" and progress
until they have mastered the F",stli
Reader, is called downstairs" up
| stairs" is, Of course, the second story.
where the older children are taught.
To handle some of the "big boys" up
stairs Is Il task for healthy man. and
such one usually fills the teacher s
position there Downstairs. being. IN
theory at least, less strenuous. Is pre-
sided over by a woman
Miss Seabury, who had been down
stairs teacher for one lively term. had
| resigned that spring in tears and hui
initiation Her scholars had enjoyed
| themselves and would have liked her
| to continue. but the committee and
the t6wnspeople thought otherwise.
There was general feeling that en-
joyment was not the whole aim Of
| education.
There was u difference Of opinion
concerning Miss Seabury's successor.
| A portion Of the townspeople were TO.
hiring q graduate Of the state normal
school. young woman with modern
| training. Others. remembering that
| Miss Seabury had graduated from that
school, were for proved ability and
less up to date methods. These latter
had selected candidate In the person
| Of u Miss Phoebe Dawes. u resident OF
Wellmouth and teacher Of the Well
| mouth downstairs" for some years.
The arguments at Simmons were hot
ones.
| whats the use Of hirin' somebody
| from right next door to US. as you
might say" demanded Alpheus Small
| ley, clerk ut the store. Don't We
want our teachin' to be abreast of the
times. aud is Wellmouth abreast Of
anything:"
Its abreast Of the bay, that's about
all will give in." replied Mr.. Tidditt.
But the way | look at 1t we need
discipline more'n anything else. and
| Phoebe Dawes has had the best disci-
pline In her school that's been known
In these ATTITUDES. Order? Why. say"
1T seems to me-" put In Thaddeus
Simpson. who ran the barber shop and
was something Of a politician-"it
seems to me, fellers, that we'd better
wait and hear what Mr.. Atkins has to
say In this matter. guess that's what
the committee II do anyhow. We
wouldn't want to 60 contrary to He
man. none Of US. hey"
Tad Simpson was known to be deep
In Congressman Atkins confidence.
The mention Of the great mans name
was received with reverence and mods
Of approval
That's right. We mustn't do moth.
in to displease Heman." was the gen.
eral opinion.
Captain Cy did not join In the
chorus. he reflled his pipe and cross
ed his legs.
"Humph" he grunted. "Heman At
kins seems to be Give me a match.
Ase. won't you? Thanks. under
stand there's a special prayer meetin'
at the church tomorrow night. Al
pheus. What's 1t for?"
"ForT' Mr.. Smalley seemed sur
prised. Its to pray for rain. that's
what You know It. cap'n. as wells
l do. Amt everybody's garden dryin'
up and the ponds so low that we shan't
be able to get water for the cranberry
bitches pretty soon1 There's need te
pray. should think!'
"Humph. Seems a roundabout way
OF gettin' thing. don't itY Why DON
you telegraph to Heman and ask hin
to fix It for you? Save time"
This remark was received In horri
lied silence Tad Simpson was tht
nrst 10 recover.
"Cap'n." he said. you amt met Mr.
Atkins yet When you do you'll fee
same as the rest Of US. He's comm
home next week: then you'll see."
| A part at least Of Mr.. Simpsons
prophecy proved true. Hon. Mr.. At
kins did come to Bayport the following
week. accompanied by his little daugh
ter, Alicia. the housekeeper and th'
Atkins servants The honorable ant
his daughter had been since the ad
journment of congress on pleasure
trip to the Yosemite and Yellowstone
park. and now they were to remain II
the mansion on the hill for some time
The meeting between Captain e.
and Mr.. Atkins took place the morn
ing after the latter's return. The cap
tain and his two chums had been In
, specting the progress made by the car
penters and were leaning over the new
fence. then Just erected. but not ye
painted Down the gravel walk Of tn
mansion across the road came strollin
, its owner, silk hated. side whiskered
benignant
Godfrey" exclaimed Asaph there
!. Heman! See him, Whitr'
"Yup: see him Seems to be bead
: in this way"
3 IL do believe he's comm across.
whispered Mr. Bangs "Yes. he Il
He's real. everyday. Cy. he won
mind II you ain't dressed up"
Mr. TIdditt removed his hat Bale
touched his Captain Cy looked prt
yokingly Indifferent He even whil
! tied.
81 Good mornin'. MIR. Atkins" halle
the town clerk. raising his voice b'
cause of the whistle. I'm proud
see sou back among uss sir. Hope 20
and Alicia had a nice time out ives
, How Is she-pretty smartT
= "Ab. Asaphr' he said 1T - 20
thcnf ! thought So And Bailey to-
\ II Is certainly delightful 70 see. 20
both aguin. Yes. my daughter u vel
thank you. She. Ike her father.
q glad to be back in the old home nef
after the round Of hotel life and Ga,
ETY. which we have -sle-recently u
= dergone. Yes"
"Mr. Atkins" said Bailey. giancin