Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1911-10-19
ARTHUR'S
PERIL

Whb Cduou away lTOul ueT pupllb lOr
a few minutes the other day one lit
tie boy took the opportunity to SHOW
or"
There was much excitement among
the self-appointed monitors when the
teacher returned. Fifty little hands
shot up, waving and darting. Fifty
little bodies wriggled In sympathy.
All were eagerly demanding permits
sion to tell what had happened dur
ing the teachers absence. Contrary
to their expectations, she seemed in
different TO disorder.
Suddenly one little boy in a back
seat, remembering that the teacher
had forbidden tattling and fearing
that no explanation would be allowed,
jumped to his feet and, still waving
his hand, excitedly exclaimed: Miss
Boots. AFTER, he wuz maxim fistes
when you wuz out O de room"
Huh! He does like dis here" said
another boy, shaking his fist threaten
ingly.
That means he'll show you." in
terpreted fair.haired little girl in
the front seat.
AN den"
Six excited and scandalized chill
dren began to relate in chorus the de-
tails of Arthur's misdemeanor.
THAT will do" said Miss Booth,
calmly arranging some flowers in her
belt. IF you children had been do
ing your work you couldn't have seen
Arthur. l shall count the whole room
disorderly."
The children sank back abashed
and disappointed. They looked at the
offending Arthur who sat stifly erect
at his desk. tightly clutching a read
er from which his glance never wa
vered.
The teacher continued to prepare
writing lesson as II nothing had hap
pened. Yet her eyes twinkled just
little bit, and the ghost Of a smile
twitched the corners of her mouth.
Had they remembered similar occa-
sions they might have recognized in
the twinkle and the smile a danger
signal for the offender.
In the meantime Arthurs fear gave
way to establishment He had ex-
pected to stay after school, at least.
With a cautious glance to assure
himself that Miss Booth was not look
ing, he jumped up beside his desk,
which for the teachers convenience
was at the front of the room. Facing
the other children, he rapidly darted
his tongue forth and back several
times. and finally megaphoned through
arched palms low, clear "Stung!"
The murmur of scandaliEed propri-
ETY. which this new defiance aroused
stirred him to fresh daring. Before
risking a repetition, however, he
turned warily about, only to look
straight into Miss Booths keen gray
eyes. Slowly and meekly he slid into
his desk and hung his head.
Come here, Arthur" she said,
quietly. STAND here by me and do
that again for the whole room"
Arthur came slowly and reluctant
ly forward and backed against the
wall.
"Out here in front, where every one
can see you" said the teacher, indi-
eating a space by her desk. you
may make faces now"
Arthur hung his head.
I'm waiting, Arthur" she said.
He twitched his sharp little nose
feebly.
"Oh, no; that won't do. Make the
same kind of face you made at Wal
ter"
He. twitched his nose more vigor
ously, and drew down the corners Of
his mouth.
Are you sure that's right? per-
sisted Miss Booth, with funny little
catch in her voice.
This time Arthur sQuinted his eyes,
puckered up his nose. drew down the
corners OF his mouth and darted out
his tongue.
Nov. you may continue that for
the next five minutes" said Miss
Booth.
Then. turning to the other children.
she asked: How many boyO IN 0in
room have strong musclSsT
Thirty right arms swung IN ~ air.
Have you ever noticed" che co..
tfnued to me class, what kind fA0es
some people have and what hORrsd
faces others hAvof
yes, l saw q man the other day,
and he had only one eye" interrupt
cd an excited voice nom the rear.
But, l wonder" continued Mis-
Booth, why some people have f1ovn-
ing wrinkles between their eyes, oven
when they are smiling"
II know" said Walter OATS Gus
deg frowned so much dere faces stays
dat way"
yes, that's right They have been
using their bad face muscles 30 long
that they have grown strong enough
to pull their faces out Of shape. Go
on, Arthur; l didn't tell you to stop.
Some old people, you know, have such.
sweet kind faces. They have been
using their good muscles all their
lives, so their faces are always pleas
ant and kind"