The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-22

~ promote nlin-aHu viii S'Suie
GU, Of the question" and he blew MS
nose loudly.
Yes, why, yes" echoed the other
as,onished members of the committee.
Gentlemen" and Miss Stones
voice was hard and determined, al
though her face was flushed and pref
ty. YOU have been pleased with my
work; at least you have said so. and
have asked me to return for another
year. shall not return If you are to
interfere in this way with my work.
You doubt my word report that this
poor neglected boy has done credita-
biz and deserves promotion. You and
your boys and girls have made 1t as
hard as possible for Pickles. |, alone.
have tried to give him a chance.
have given evenings and Saturdays to
helping him, and he has worked hard
err tnan any other pupil"
There was dead silence for mo-
ment
May We see his marks?" asked Mr..
Brown. haughtily.
IL anticipation OF this request, Miss
StoAe had ready her record book,
which she placed before him
"ln-ah, his average In arithmetic is
onl, 60, and only 70 in the other stud
les Your pass mark is 7O?"
Yes, but in recommending him for
a diploma. l have had to take into
consideration his handicap and the
neglect of previous teachers, just as !
had TO take into account your sons
illness, Mr.. Brown.
MIR Brown refrained from asking
what his sons average In arithmetic
had been, and suggested that Miss
Stone withdraw a few moments while
he and the other members Of the COM
mittee consulted about this somewhat
extraordinary proceeding.
Miss Stone. excited and indignant
almost to the point Of tears. withdrew
as requested, and listened with half
contemptuous smile to the low-tOned
discussion behind her She was re-
called after a few minutes and the
work Of signing the remainder Of the
certificates of promotion was resumed
without further mention OF James Nc
Closkey. Mr. Brown fingered behind
the other members of the committee
and said conciliatingly that they didn't
see how Pickles could be promoted
with so low a mark. II Miss Stone
wanted to give him a special examina-
ton which ne should pass, he would.
OF course. be glad to sign the paper
The next morning Miss Stone quiet
ly laid a paper on Pickles desk say
ing that she would like to have him
work out the examples and hand them
to her at recess time. III you have
any trouble, let me know" and she
smiled ut him encouragingly.
Hut he had no trouble. lie always
did his best work when no special
pressure was brought to bear on him,
and this morning every one else was
busy, and he worked along unconcern-
eddy until the recess bell rang Miss
Stone hardly dared look at the paper,
SO afraid was she that the boy had
Numbered. She was thinking now as
much Of the mother as she was of
Pickles Example after example she
checked off seven eight. nine The
tenth one was unfinished but nine
were correct and Pickles passed with
a ninety mark
She stopped him that night Tell
your mother YOU are going to be pro-
NOTED and want her to come with
YOU to the exercises" was the mes
sage she gave to the astounded boy.
She watched him from the window as
he turned off up the hill. then took the
examination paper and the unsigned
certificate. and in few minutes was
in Mr.. Browns store Here is James
McCloskey's examination paper. and
here is the certificate. have insert
ed the words with credit. and all that
II needed is your signature"
"Um. all yes. Oh. yes, indeed"
said the surprised and embarrassed
Mr. Brown. With many 6ourishes he
signed the certificate. and as he re-
turned ii he remarked:
You are very fine teacher. Miss
Stone. | am-ah-very much pleased
that you are going to return next
year" And he gave her genuine
look Of admiration as he held open the
door for her to pass out.
Ten minutes later she flung herself
on the feather bed in her modest front
room sanctum and wept tired nervous
tears at her first hard won victory.
Copyright. 1917. by the Mcclure News