Graham guardian., 1911-01-27


ways. The question in Bayport that
summer, aside from that Of the harboI
appropriation, was who should be
hired as downstairs teacher. OuI
schoolhouse Is two story building
with a 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 Fourth
Reader, is called downstairs" "Up-
stairs is, Of course. the second story,
where the older children are taught,
To handle some of the "blg boys" up.
stairs Is task for healthy man. and
such one usually fills the teachers
position there. Downstairs. being. In
theory at least, less strenuous. is pre-
sided over by 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 townspeople thought otherwise.
There was general feeling that en-
joyment was not the whole aim Of
education.
There was a difference of opinion
concerning Miss Seabury's successor.
A portion Of the townspeople were for
hiring a 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 Miss Phoebe Dawes, 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, MS you
might sayT" demanded Alpheus Small
ley, clerk at the store. "Don't we
want our teachin' to be abreast of the
times. and Is Wellmouth abreast Of
anything?"
"It's abreast Of the bay. that's about
all / will give in." replied Mr.. Tidditt.
But the way look at Il We need
discipline more'n anything elsc, aud
Phoebe Dawes has had the best dlsci.
pline In her school that's been known
In these ATTITUDES. Order! Why. say"
1T seems to me-" put In Thaddeu,
Simpson, who ran the barber shop and
was something Of pollti,ian--"ir
seems to mo, fellcrs, that we'd better
wait and hear what Mr.. Atkins has To
say In this natter guess that's what
the committee II do anyhow. We
wouldn't want to go contrary to He
man, none Of us, heyr'
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
"Humphr' he grunted. "Heman At
kins seems to be- Give me a match.
Ase, won't your Thanks. under.
stand there's special prayer meetin'
at the church tomorrow night. Al.
pheus. What's 1t forr'
"Forr Mr.. Smalley seemed sur.
prtcnd ssyt,s ~ fAr nj 81,
what You know It. cap'n. MS wells
do Amt everybody's garden dryin'
up and the ponds 40 low that we sh,n'i
be able to get water for the cranberry
bitches pretty soon? There's need to
pray. should thinkv'
'Humph! Seems a roundabout wa.
of gettin' thing. don't it? Why don't
you telegraph to Heman and ask him
to fix 1t for you? Save time"
This remark was received in horri-
fed silence. Tad Simpson was the
first to recover.
"Cap'n," he said. "you amt met Mr..
Atkins yet. When you do you'll feel
same as the rest of u.s. 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 the
Atkins servants. The honorable and
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 In
the mansion on the hill for some time
The meeting between Captain Cy
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 yet
painted. Down the gravel walk of the
mansion across the road came strolling
its owner, silk hated. side whiskered
benignant.
Godfrey" exclaimed Asaph there's
Heman! See him, WhitT
"Yup; see him. Seems to be head
in this way"
81 do believe he's comm across
whispered Mr.. Bangs. "Yes, he Is.
He's real. everyday, Cy. He won't
mind II you amt dressed up"
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