Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-03-30

lV~lHE crowd at Simmons general
store discuss politics az Il gen.
eral thing, state and national
A---"e1 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
Schoohouse is Il two story building
with n scboo!room on each floor. The
lower room, where the little tots begin
With their cat, cat and progress
until they have mastered the Fourth
Reader. is called "doanstairs. Up
stairs is, # course. the second story,
wlseF~ the older children arc taught.
To handle some of che big boys" up
stairs is II task for healthy man, ana
such a one usually fills the teachers
position there. Downstairs. being. in
theory at least, less strenuous, is pre-
sided over by a woman.
Miss Senbury, who had been dawn
stairs teacher FOR one lively term, had
resigned that spring il tears and nv
themselves and would have liked her
20 continue. but the committee and
NE townspcople thought otherwise.
There was a general feeling that en-
'oymeEt was not the whole aim OF
MuCutiOn
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 perst
of Il Miss Phoebe Dawes, a 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 at the store. Don't we
want our teachin to be abreast Of the
times. and is Wellmouth abreast of
anything:"
ITS abreast Of the hay, that's about
all will give in" replied Mr.. TiG1itt
But the way | look Mt it we need
discipline more'n anything ese 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 1'haddeus
Simpson, who ran the barber shop and
was something Of q politician-"it
scems 10 Inc, fellers, that we'd better
wait and hear what Mr. Atkins has to
,ay in this matter. guess that's what
fhe committee II do anyhow We
wouldn't want to go contrary to He
man, mono 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 70 displease Heman," was the gen-
eral opinion.
Captain Cy did not join in the
chorus. He reAllod his pipe and cross
ed his legs.
''Humph." he grunted. "Heman At
kins seems to be Give me match.
Ase, won't you? Thanks under
stand there's a special prayer meetin
at the church tomorrow night. Al
pheus What's it for?"
"For" Mr.. Smalley seemed sur
prised IT'S to pray for rain. that's
what. You know It, cap'n, az wells
l do Amt everybodys garden dryin'
up and the ponds so low that we shar
be able to get water for the cranberry
bitches pretty soon? There's need to
pray, l should think
"Huniph Seems Il roundabout way
Of gettin' thing. don't 1t? Why don't
sou telegraph to ueman and ask him
10 fx it for you? Save time"
This remark was received in horri.
ned 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 w, He's comm
home next week; then you'll see"
y part at icast Of Mr. Simpsons
prophecy proved true. Hon. Mr. At.
klns did come to Rapport the following
week, accompanied by his little daugh
ter, Alicia, the honsekeeper and the
Atkins servants. The honorable and
his daughter had been since the adj
joninment of congress on pleasure
rip to the Yosemite and Yellowstont
park, and now they were 70 remain II
the mansion on the hill for some time
The meeting between Captain Cy
Ind Mr.. Atkins took place the morn
ng after the lattcr's return. The cap
ain and his two chums had been in
jpecting the progress made by the ear
Denters and were leaning over the new
fence, then just erected but not We
painted. Down the gravel walk of tn
mansion across the road came strollla,
its owner, silk hated. side whIskered
benignant
Godfrey" exclaimed Asaph there
Heman! See him, Whit"
"Yup; l see hlpl. Seems to be head
in this way"
IL do believe he's comm across
whispered Mr., Bangs. "Yes, he is
He's real. everyday, Cy, He won
mind if you amt dressed up"
MIR Tidditt removed his hat. Bale