The Washington herald., 1913-03-02

moving about They crowded around her
like ants to a lump OF sugar. Some of
them were beginning to evince . laxity Of
pronunciation. sounding the personal pro-
noun "T' like the interjection "Ah."
In a few days I went back-Chester
sneered at me as I went by-to tell Miss
Frayn of the necessity of teaching the
effects OF stimulants and narcotics ac-
cording to the Iowa law. She was great
ly surprised when told Of this require
| ment.
What. daily. Mr.. Superintendent she
exclaimed.
Quires it,
1T seems 20 unnecessary" she said in
perplexity. THE young gentlemen will
find out all about 1t In due time; and 1t
Is raght to experiment with the littlest
| ones? And wheiah shall I obtain the
liquoh fob the demonstrationsr
I felt strangely overcome at this as
founding speech, by an indescribable
| mixture of tender so'icitude for her well
| fare, and horror at her fearful mistake;
! but / reproved her for jesting at the
vice of drinking.
"Vice!' said she. with a bubbling
laugh. "Why. down home we-all regyahd
dS an accompaniment. Iout An IeChOn
you ah jokin' about teachin' II. Youah
jokes and use of the lettah 'ah' ah things
All shall nevah get used to. Ah'm
afraid: but Ah'm glad you don't mean
that about the drinkin'."
Despairing OF making her under
stand. I left her. again conscious of be-
ing under occult and abnormal control.
was astonished to see in the school
several large boys who must have been
greatly needed in the fields They look
ed at one another sheepishly as I came
/ in. but most OF the time they gazed
at the teacher. rather than at their
books. Not having the gift of prophecy.
could not see in their presence the
cloud that would soon overshadow my
official life. I took their attendance as
proof of the popularity OF the school,
studied the philosophers. and sought
calm Of spirit. Learning from Epictetus
that the earthen pitcher and the rock do
not agree. and from Lubbuck that love at
first sight is thought by great minds
actually to occur. I re-e1amined my alb
normal psychic symptoms in Miss Frayn's
presence. and prudently refrained from
seeking her society. Poise alone makes
possible consistent career, and this
/ had in large measure reconquered
when. like a bolt from the blue-or at
least with much abruptness-into my
quiet Office burst a committee from the
Teal Lake Township School Board. ac-
compa MED by a number of patrons OF the
Boggs scnooI-all old neighbors of ours
headed by the defeated Mr.. Slizur Mid
dlekauff This could mean hut one thing
Miss Frayn, The rebel invasion was
at the door.
Mr.. Middlekauf,." said one. is the
spokesman"
We've got a grievance" said Mr.
MiddlekauT "a whale OF a grievance
in our deestrict; and we've come right
TO the power-house to fix it"
1t shall command my most careful
consideration" said I. please state the
case
That ere railroad wreck" said Mr.
Middlekaur. who was a very forcible
speaker at caucuses. "let loose on our
people a scourge in caliker more pesti-
lential than the Huns and Vandals. We
come to you as clothed with a little
brief authority. an accessory after the
fact to this scourge business.
II fall" said I. ito catch your mean
ing"
Il mean said he, growing loud. that
peaches-an'-cream invader from the
States lately in rebellion that you've give
stiffkit. an your brother Chet by
stratagems an spiles has got himself
elected an put into our school. That's
what I mean"'
Il infer" said /. some implied stric-
lures upon the character or school man.
agement or educational qualifications Of
Miss Roberta Lee Frayn."
wi You infer surprisingly clus to the
truth" replied Mr.. Mddlekaufr. often
sively. We're a-complainin' of this
schoolma am with the rebil name: and
of her onrivaled facilities rr spreadln'
treason an emotional insanity. Try
to git that through your hair
Like lightning a course of policy oc
CURED to me.
Are the defendant" said I. looking
them over. land Mr.. Boggs. the director.
among your numbers
No" said Mr.. MiddlekaufY. This is
kinder informal An besides. we'd crawl
out right where We went in If she was
here. tell you she's a-a-irresistible
force
1T is elementary said I, that no
ex parte investigation can have any
validity"
Now, see here, Oc Boggs!" Kissed
he. II don't take any hish-an mighty
stand-on from a hunkhead that's stole
my melons when he was a kid. You'll
hear this complaint see?'
l did not weaken. but I allowed his
standing in the community and party to
outweigh offensive orthoepy, rhetoric.
and manners. Unofficially. I took down
the complaint. reserving my ruling. AS
the horrid tale was told I grew sick at
the problem before me. l CLEAN the de-
tails of the situation from my notes:
Miss Frayn (aIl these things are set
down as asserted) had assigned William
Middlekauff, whose father was a men,
bed OF the G. A. r., the Confederate
side of a debate on the comparative
greatness Of Washington and Robert E.
Lee. and had said: She reckoned Mr..
William ought to have won, as he had
the strong side Complained of as
against public policy. adhering to armed
insurrection, and giving aid and COM
fort to the enemy. Quoere tper o. b.: