Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-04-05

monotonous sound Of the children's
voices. But suddenly her attention
was reused by familiar word.
Separate" she heard Miss Burton
say.
1t was Bertha's turn; and she re
sponded quickly
"Sep-e-rate."
Poor Bertha! How her heart sanh
as Miss Burton paused a second, and
then said:- "
Wrong. Next" @"
Mamie was wide awake now That's
my word" she said herself. II know
how to spell separate" And she be
gan to repeat to herself the letters
she had been singing in the orchard
two hours before.
"S-e-p-p-e-r-a-t-e,' said the little girl
who stood next to Bertha. Bertha
knew now, but 1t was too late.
Miss Burton shook her head. Next, u
she said briefly.
"S-ep-p-a-r-a-te," "s-e-p-i-r-a-t-e,
"se-p-a-r-r-a-t-e," said one after an
other. q
How did it happen that some one
did, not, even by accident, hit upon
the right way? They seemed to get
more and more bewildered. One little
boy even began 1t with c, and the
did not try at all.
WELL" said Miss Burton, you
have done very we'll, on the whole:
and now, since the whole class has
missed this word, we will call the les.
son ended. Each one may look 1t up at
home, and the next time you see me
tell me how to spell It,"
Separate" said little voice
at the foot Of the class, quite slowly
and distinctly. ., ..
Miss Burton looked up in astonish'
ment. The children were so surprised
they looked almost frightened-none
more so than Bertha. For a moment
you might have heard a pin drop.
"Well done, Nannie!" exclaimed the
teacher at last. Our little visitor goes
to the head of the class, it seems:
and taking Mamie by the hand, she
led her to the place above Bertha,
who did not mind at all losing her
position in this way. How did this
happen, Bertha?' she inquired.
Burton" said Bertha in great ex-
citement. II should just as soon have
thought Of the broom speaking up
and spelling separate"
"How did you know, Nannie?" she
asked, turning to the child.
"Oh, I learned it out of a book
answered Mamie with baby dignity,
leaving her sister no less puzzled than
before.
When school was dismissed, the
children clustered around Mamie,
who did not understand why they
should make such a stir, but none the
less enjoyed being the center Of so
much attention. ....,..
Lets make a chair and carry her
home!" said one. And without delay
two Of the biggest girls clasped their
hands together and kneeled down,
while Mamie seated herself on them,
and, putting her arms round their
necks, rode home in triumph, escort
ed by the whole class.
Mrs. Carlton saw them approaching
and came to the door to meet them,
wondering what might be the cause
of their excitement. She was greeted
by a babel Of voices: 4
'"Nannie's at the head Of the
class" Mamie is the best speller in
SCHOOL," Mamie spelled the word all
the rest of us missed" they were all
saying at once. "
"Now, hush, girls!" said one at
last, "all be still minute and let
Mamie show her mother. Now, Nan
ME, can you spell separator"
Separate" sang Mamie on her
throne, to the tune of yankee
Doodle" and then such a shout went
up.
Mrs. Carlton laughed heartily. e
"I know how it happened" she said.
"I'll tell you all about it some day"
But of course they could not wait.
DO tell us now, Mrs. Carlton!'
they begged. 1--WE want so much to
know" And then she told them what
have already told you.