Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1915-02-26
A SPELLING SCHOOL
It Wasn't a Large Affair, But
Brought Matters to a
Head.
BY LAWRENCE ALFRED CLAY.


It on foot or by vehicle the first resi-
dent you encountered would have
been Deacon Salathiel Green, putting
a leather hinge on his front gate or
seated with folded arms on the steps
of the post office.
Had you asked the deacon for q
list of excuses as to why the village |
existed he Would have answered:
well, we have Miss Bird Davis,
who is handsomer than an acre OF |
red, white and blue hollyhocks, and
smarter'n chain-lightning.
ALSO three-legged calf, owned by
Keziah Perkins.
Also, the loyalty of the people. We
have seven hundred inhabitants, but
claim twice that number
ALSO, a church spire that has been
struck five different times by light
ming.
Also, Grandma Hazleton, who re-
members that she dandled George
Washington on her knee when he was
kid six months old.
ALSO, half a dozen young fellers
who are in love with the chain-light.
ming gal"
This was the tale told to young Roy
Campbell as he arrived in the village
to spend vacation Of month in the
late fall. He was slightly interested
in the three.legged calf, and he rea'
soned that in time he should behold
Miss Davis, but he was not startled.
AS he bent his steps toward the inn.
Deacon Green looked after him and
shook his head
HE may be a nice young man, and
he may be a post office robber instead.
Time will tell"
The village of Freedom had gath
cred the vegetables from its gardens,
and had plenty of time in which to
size up the stranger. II came to the
conclusion that he was not dangerous,
but why didn't he come out as frankly
as the wire-fence man. the windmill
man and others had done and relate
his history from childhood up? II
counted for nothing that he attended
church the first Sunday OF his arrival
and made a generous contribution as
the plate was thrust under his nose
Indeed, as Mr.. Sparrow said, and as
others agreed with him: IF he hadn''
been in Jail somewhere for something
or other would he be seen inside {
church and trying to deceive us?"
mo! MOI"
He gave up half dollar to thu
plate, while the rest Of us gave pennies
and nickels, but wouldn't Captain Kid,
have done the same?"
The young men realized at ono
what had brought the stranger to tn
gates OF the village. He had hear,
OF the winsome Miss Davis and ha
come to admire, fall in love and We
her and bear her away. He was fror
the city. and she had been heard I
say that she should never live in
village after marriage. Therefore, the
glared at him and avoided him an
talked to his detriment and wishe
him to Halifax.
A woman can overlook II in a ma
for being bit wicked, II It is not he
husband. A girl can and does owe
look It II the man is young and goo'
looking and a mystery is throw
around him. 1t was logical that whe
the young men dropped their diffe
ences and combined against the stra
ger they excited curiosity more tina
distrust among the female hearts NJ
too old.
N;,, ptrd na.ie annountarad NJ
Roy Campbell at church and on Il
street and said to herself: "He ms
be a criminal and a fugitive fro
Justice, but I'd like an introduction
him just the same"
They told her that he was probab
a horse thief. That he was scout 4
post office robbers. That the const
BILE had an eye on him. That the she
IN was seeking to get his finger-print
That while he looked as innocent as
yearling babe, he would try every O
to get a girl to elope with him, a
after a month leave her dead broke
the street OF some cold and cruel eli
Miss Bird listened. She also laught
She likewise suggested that an int
ducton to such an interesting char;
ter was in order.
What brought matters to he
was a spelling school, Freedom "
proud of her school. 1t wasn't a gre
big schoolhouse, with large and
eral staff OF teachers. On the c,
trary, no unnecessary building I
terial had been used, and two teach,
did all the whaling and teachi
Neither French nor German v
taught there, but when It came do
to old.fashioned photography the r
of Warren county had to go way bf
and sit down. Whenever in a ne
paper or magazine one Of the puI
discovered the word program" "
the final me" added, an
dignant protest was at once forwar'
to the guilty party.
Beginning with the fall term, tn
spelling schools we're held once
month all winter. One was due a
days after Mr.. Campbell appeared
Freedom. II was talked Of as be
better than moving picture show
a circus. People who wouldn't &c
a funeral had the front seats at th