Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-08-04

TELLING ON THEARLE
By FRANCIS TRUMBULL

Tommy continued to be verisahass
model of pupil Others al times
were unruly, but Tommy actually
seemed arrayed upon the side of right
and he gazed in hurt surprise at thosss
who attempted to disorganfze ahe
classes.
Even Mrs. Bedding was pleased To
take notice and cited the new teacher
as proof OF her oft-repeated statements
| that Tommy needed only q kind WORD
to make him mind.
The other teachers were brutal and
the poor boy resented it as any boy
would" she declared at the Doreag
meeting. Miss Conover says SITS
hasn't had to speak to the little dear
once and it is almost the half term
| The other mothers nodded assent
| ingly and wondered what spen SUSIE
had thrown over the boy That thers
was change was not to he denied.
The other pupils declared this to bes
a fact and, without Tommy TO lead
them astray, discipline was excellent
| 1t was not until the fall term was
drawing to a close that the change
oNN>' ouSiS was uSllSulSu Will LlES
| position. The mothers all liked her and
even Mrs. Bedding smiled approvingly
when she flashed past in John
1hearles buggy after school hours I'm
stead of behind Joel Peters unRre.
Ihearle was Mrs. Belongs brother
and she mentally assured herself that
anyone who could effect so great II
change in Tommy's reputation was
| worthy even of her brother
Then Tommy fell from grace Soma
impish freak threw the school into mo-
mentary disorder and a litter Bena
about the room when Tommy was told
| that he must remain in after school
| hours. The last time Tommy had been
kept in he had spilled the better part
OF pint Of ink over the teachers
dress. The immediate result had been
| that she had hurried home to get the
ink stains out while they were fresh.
and Tommy had gone home, too Now
he looked longingly at the dress ana
wondered whether he dared repeat this
| episode. But it was a very m eek lad
who remained in his seat when the
others had filed out, and to her SUP
prise Susie found that he was crying
Gently she sought to reason with
him, but he would not listen. He could
only sit and gaze apprehensiyely at
the door, and presently John ThearSe
entered to ascertain the cause OF the
teachers latenegs.
He perceived the situation nj "a,
glance and with never word he LAID
Tom hic Enno anI mead
until the boy promised to be good.
II was tired Of being known as the
uncle Of the worst boy in the school,
he calmly explained to the astonishe6
teacher. Tommy takes advantage of
the law in regard to punishment in the
schools and the knowledge that his
mother will not make good this fault
| told him this fall that the first TING
he was a bad boy he would get tho
spanking that's been coming TO him
ever since he was old enough 10 be-
spanked. l have kept my word. ms
shall keep it again if it is necessary.
THAT amt all you said" walled fhe
offended Tommy. I'm goin' to tell fhB
rest. You said If l drove Miss Susie
out of town before you had a chance
to marry her you was goin' I tan the.
hide often me-that's what You said
PRECISELY" agreed Thearle. i saw
you at the station that first day. he
explained and | loved you then, STl-
sic Do you think that there is "a
chance for me? that you could stan3
being the aunt of the worst hoy ira
| town."
81 think" she said softly, that J Rna
wilfing to be the wife of the incest
man in town."
Going to get married?" demanded
! Tommy, eagerly.
ThearIe started. He had forgotten
the boys presence. And if l amp" ne
| asked.
"Gee!" murmured Tommy, TN ger
square on the next teacher"