El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-28
)U are the new teacher?'
Cyrus Sprang's voice was in
sensibly lowered. as though

OlAQS OpldnS > AOACC ~ O. III
sensibly lowered. as though
he were speaking to a child who might
be alarmed by the gruff, hearty voice
that was his ordinary tone
"Oh, dear" was the unexpected re-
ply Now. please don't tell me that
you think / am too young or too small
or too something to be the teacher.
Every one else has. That is why l
came so far from home Every school
trustee with whom 1 had personal
interview found fault about something,
and I've got to teach, you know. It's
all 1 can do"
II guess you can do it." was the
cheering, assurance. all except licking
the big boys I'll have to do that for
you. I guess. Jump in the cutter. II
a long ride over to the Center
There will be no necessity for any
thing like that" prophesied Maude and
Cyrus only smiled. The last teacher
had sued the township for damages
because Of a broken arm sustained In
the maintaining of discipline
All the Crosbys and the few other
families in Crosby Center made oppor-
tunity to see the new teacher on her
arrival, and loud were the predictions
that she would not last beyond the first
week
Miss Holbrook's eyes, surveyed the
class, from the 6yearolds in the front
row to the six footers at the rear
of the room, and her heart qualleu.
She wished that trustee Sprang had
ACCOMPANIED her to make good his
promise to thrash the unruly.
Trying Out the New Teacher.
It was not until the afternoon ses-
sion that the boys began to misbehaTe
One of the boys had brought with
him a handful of buckshot, and these
he began to throw about the room
With such sternness as she could
command Miss Holbrook ordered the
offender to come out upon the floor
For a moment there was no response,
and litter ran through the room A
second time the command was repeated,
and now one of the young men on
the rear row of seats admitted his guilt
and invited the teacher to come ana
get himA
The teacher paused helplessly beside
the desk wondering what would be
the best course to pursue. when Hiram
Crosby, the giant of the class, made a
diversion in her favor
Without warning he grasped the
rebel by the coat collar ard dragged
him out of the room to the woodshed.
whence presently issued the tumult or
battle. Ten minutes later Hiram led
the delinquent back to his seat and
faced the rear rows defiantly.
Miss Holbrook says I can be mon
itor," he announced truculently-
guess I can keep order here.
He sank back into his seat. redden-
ing at the glance of thanks Maude
Holbrook bestowed upon him, and
quiet reigned the remainder Of the
afternoon.
Hiram was waiting TO escort the
teacher home, for she was boarding at
his mothers house the first week. but
after his duties as host ceased he elect
cd still to walk home with the teacher,
to the scandal of all ambitious moth
ers, who knew that at his fathers
death Hiram Crosby would become
owner of one of the largest and most
fertile farms in the district.
When the Gossip Began
Affairs at the school were progress
ing finely. and Cyrus Sprang was con-
graduating himself that he would not
have to spend weary hours in CORE
spondence with teachers agencies,
when deputatiOn Of the Crosby Cen
ter mothers visited him with an ulti-
matum.
With troubled face he sought the
little teacher the following afternoon.
What is it?'' asked Maude anxious
ly Il can see from your face that
you bear bad tidings."
There's no use saying no. admit
ted Cyrus. plunging into the matter
Its just this. Every woman in Crosby
Center who wants Hi Crosby for
soninlaw-and most of 'em dds
afraid that you're going TO get him"
Hiram is a mere boy" declared
Maude scornfully. Hes only 20"
st told em that" replied Cyrus, but
they say that unless you so, they'll
take their children away. SOS there
won't be any school for you to keep"
And you want my resignation?" she