The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-06
NANNIE'S LUCK


at the door. and tell Miss Burton your
Mamie knocked, and, as Miss Bur
ton came to the door. held out the
book without a word, forgetting to
make any explanation. The teacher
took 1t with smile, asking no ques-
lions.
"Oh, thank you" she said. 'rwiu
you come in and make us a visit?''
''Oh. yes." said Mamie. eagerly.
suddenly remembering the great
TO the spelling mitch. May /?
Il am willing" said Mrs. Carlton,
IF Miss Burton thinks you will not
be in the way"
Mamie never makes any trouble, :"
said Miss Burton. we always like
to have visit from her Maybe she
will be old enough to come all the
time after vacation And, taking
Nannie's hand, she led her into the
room where the children had just TAX
en- their places in a line along the
side of the room.
Instead of taking the little chair
which Miss Burton placed for her by
the window Mamie gravely walked
across the room. and took her place
at the foot of the class. All the chill
dren smiled: and Miss Burton smiled,
lips and shook her head, and no word
was said.
For a while Mamie was very much
Interested in the proceedings, but
presently her thoughts wandered; and
she even began 10 be drowsy as she
watched the clouds float across the
opposite window and listened to the
monotonous sound Of the Children's
voices But suddenly her attention
nv a 70
Separate" she heard Miss Burton
say.
1t was Bertha's turn; and she re-
sponded quickly
"Sep-e-rate.'
Poor Bertbat How her heart sank
as Miss Burton paused q second, and
then said
Mamie was wide awake now. That's
my word" she said To herself Il
know how TO spell separate" And she
began 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 it was too late.
Miss Burton shook her head Next. =
IS e-p-p-ar-a-t-e," ventured the next
And again the teacher shook her head.
S-e-p-S~T-r -4-L~ey Be- pig -2-L-Ss
'.s-e- D a-r-r-a-t-e." said one after
another.
How aid IT happen that some one
did not. even by accident bit upon
more and more bewildered. One little
boy even began II with n &C." and the
last five only shook their heads and
ven said Miss Burton. you have
done very we'll on the whole; and
now. since the whole class has missed
ended. Each one may look it up at
tell me how to spell it."
"S-e -p-a-r-a-t-e.'' said a little voice
at the foot OF the class, quite slowly
and distinctly.
Miss Burtotn 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 pin drop,
and. taking Mamie by the hand, she
led her TO the place above Bertha.
who did not mind at AL losing her
happen, Bertha?7 she inquired,
Why, l do not know at all Miss
Burton" said Bertha, in great excite
ment. II should Just as soon have
thought of the broom speaking up
and spelling separate"
How did. you know, NannteT' she
ooh, learned ii out Of book" an
swered 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.
Let's make a chair, and carry her
home said one. And without delay
Two Of tho biggest girls clasped their
hands together and kneeled down,
while Mamie seated herself on them.
and. putting her arms round their
neeks, rode home in triumph, escorted
by the whole class.
Mrs. Carlton saw them approaching.
wondering what might be the cause
( Of their excitement. She was greeted
by a babel OF voices,
"Naunies at the head Of the classr'
| Mamie is the best speller in school 90
Mamie spelled the word all the rest
OF MS nlIssed+' they were all saying
at once.
Vow. hush. girls" said one at last,
| ALI be suIl a minute, and let Mamie
show her mother. Now, Mamie. can
you spell separator"
Sc p-a-r-a-t-e," sang Mamie on
| her throne. to the tune OF Yankee
Doodle; and then such a shout
went up.
Mrs, Carlton laughed heartily.
/ tn tell you all about it some day
But of course they could not wait
do tell us now. Mrs. Carlton" they
/ begged. I'VE want so much TO know. :
| And then she told them what I have
already told you.