Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-05-01


Yes, teacher" added another lit
tie girl. I'VE were saying how grand
It would be II you taught us school.
And, say, teacher" she whispered in
confidence to Marion, my father
knows a policeman who knows an
alderman with a pull and maybe he
could get a teaching Job for you. You
don't get paid for teaching here. but
at real school teaching you get RICH"
A prominent member Of the sewing
class poo-poohed the idea. Teacher
don't have to work. She is going to
get married. Aren't you. teacher?
Sure, teacher is going to marry the
rich gentleman that sends the ice
cream. Aren't you, teacher"
Marion was still blushing from the
effects of this remark when an aus
picfoAs silence fell on the crowd Of
children and all eyes we're focused
on the door. Then a chorus broke
out. Teacher, here is your friend.
Here Is your gentleman friend" and
Marion turned around to see the
beaming face of Peter.
Poor Marion was never SO confused
In her life as she was at this minute.
OF course. she was glad Peter had
come, but having to speak to him
with 100 bright and eager eyes fixed
upon her made her for the time be-
ing wish she had never gone in for
settlement work. However, Marion
managed to welcome the visitor and
introduce him to the class. Then to
larion's surprise he stepped before
the class and smiled and started to
talk. He was proud, he said. to know
the sewing class. He had decided to
give them a picnic. He would ar
range to charter a little steamer and
would take them for an all-day sail
next Saturday. They were all to
come and bring their brothers and
sisters. he told them, and he would
ask Miss Drew to see that they had a
good time.
Marion gasped, but no M noticed
1t, for the class Of children was over
come with joy and excitement. Fin
ally. at the stroke of the hour for
dismissal. Marion got the little girls.
with some difficulty, to file out Of the
building. Then she came back to
Peter waiting for her in the class
room.
Peter" she said. holding two
hands out to him. you are the kind
est man in the world. l never knew
1t was in you. 1t is SO wonderful to
feel that you take pleasure in this.
too. when everyone else criticises me
for It." There were tears Of weari-
ness in her soft brown eyes. that
made them glow with more warmth
and sympathy than Peter had ever
seen in them before.
He. had intended to make a clean
breast Of it.. and tell her the truth,
that he wasn't interested in the work
at all, but had done 1t all because OF
his interest in her; that he had sen
the parties to, the children SO that
the class would get too large for her
to handle, and she would be forced
to give 1t up and so come back to the
club activities; that he had told peo-
pie Of her success so that they would
weary her with their commensurate
now as he looked at her he hadn't
the heart to spoil her enthusiasm
over his interest. Besides he had
really enjoyed the sewing class and
the prospect Of spending next Sat
urday with Marion. Making a boat
load of poor children happy was
much more alluring than the pros
pect of sharing her society with a
half a dozen other young men at the
club.
Marion DEAR" Peter said. encour.
aged by what she had just said to
him, 81 know you meant what you
said when you said No before, but
won't you give me another chance?"
Marion was perplexed. and then
the sound of childish voices was
heard again in the hall.
Il knew he vas a swell when he
sent the first party one Of the little
girls was saying, but I never knew
he was such a big swell till saw
him"
Another voice broke in. "Say,
isn't teacher lucky? Maybe they are
married already"
Peter smiled at Marion, and Marion
up with happiness in her
eyes. Yves, Peter" she whispered.
Il am lucky. but let's escape before
they lei u.s."
1913, by the Mcclure News
paper S~yndicate.)