Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-08-25

or the boys she would have asked MIN
to ring 1t for her-boys like to help
cept two or three year olds-
Miss Wade rang the bell and waited,
smiling, but with dignity, for her
pupils to file in She had her own
idea Of how II should be done, quietly
and in order, but she would wait and
take things as she found them for
this first morning. But she was hard
ly prepared for the noisy crowd that
came pelting in. all girls except a
few wee boys in kits. 1t was a revela-
ton to Miss Wade. but she was wise
and said nothing. Where are the
boys. she wondered; for she had
heard there were many of them.
After the girls had all struggled in
and she had taken her seat at her
desk. she remarked calmly, in a voice
quiet, but full Of power, Wen file in
more quietly next time, in better
order"
This was greeted by a boisterons
roar but she paid no attention to it
The young teacher had laid out
program which she meant to follow;
but at the very opening of the ex-
ercises she met with a snag-
we can't sing called out one
rough girl
Wait for the boys" called another,
they'll do the singing"
Where are the boys?" asked Miss
Wade. little puzzled.
t1lQOln - rOareQ one.
They're goin' ter carry you on,
snickered another, "same's they did
'tother teacher"
Miss Wade was learning fast. Her
eyes were being opened and she was
having a vision of human nature she
had never imagined beforehand from
mere childreni-So the boys meant to
carry her off, did they?-they would
seeI
Well. We will begin work." she
said quietly, and started to pass the
pencils Just then the door burst
open and a dozen boys. of ages from
seven to fifteen, burst into the room,
with stamping feet They carried a
kind of litter. Miss Wade faced them
and raised one commanding hand.
Boys do you belong to the school?'
she asked. and there was something
in her eye that for moment queIled
| them
"Sartin' sure" squeeled one who
| seemed to be the leader. IAN we're
| goin' ter give we ride in this ere"
Miss Wade paid no attention to the
threat. but said pleasantly: You're
| Just the one I've been waiting for,
you're strong and can open these
windows for me, will you, please?-
The rest may take their seats
| QUIETLY"
The boys looked a little surprised
and sheepish. Two or three of the
larger ones started, with a noisy dive
for the windows. The younger ones
skunk into their seats, hardly knowing
| which way to turn
Thank you very much smiled
| Miss Wade when the windows were
all wide open, now we can breathe
freely. If you will take your seats we
will proceed with the work"
| Taken unawares the boys drifted
into their seats. but not to work AL
the morning there was half sup
pressed laughter and whispering 60
ing on. and a shuttle of feet, and
glances, which plainly said: Just wait
and severe not going to be con-
quered by you"
Miss Wade thought best to paw nc
attention to the mutiny, but kept uL
a constant change of work that left
no time for disturbance. In fact, she
succeeded in interesting the younger
ones, and even some Of the girls, and
calling forth looks of expectancy and
wonder as to what would come next
But it was with a feeling of intense
relief that she saw her young charges
tumble out at the end of the day.
| 1t was a noisy exit not at all what
she had planned. or expected-WaS
this the work to which she had looked
| forward with SO much joy and en-
thusiasm? 1t seemed that the whole
world was arrayed against her. She
leaned her arms on her desk and sanI
her throbbtng head upon them Fol
a moment she was almost tempted Il
give up to despair-But hope and
courage were strong within her.
NO" she cried, rising and throw
ing her head back proudly. I'm no
chievous boys and girls; 1 don't be.
heve they're bad at heart I mus
find some way to reach them. They
didn't succeed in throwing me out to.
day, anyhow. that's one thinl
gained and the smile came into he
I ar the fhnIIUhT Of
: Day by day went by and Miss Wadt
seemed to gain but little Roadway
Two weeks had passed, and condi
tlons were in very much the samt
state. the undercurrent of rebellion
1t was telling on her nerves Sh,
felt her pupils were not learning
| Something must be done.
Just before the close of school OIL
Friday afternoon Miss Wade stoot
for a moment before her class in 81
lence- Her ewes swept the room will
| gaze that almost meSmerised ever.
pupil. till at last there was silence il
the room such as there had not beel
since she first entered it Very frai
she seemed and very pretty, yet witt
inward strength and dignity.
Scholars" she began at length, il
calm. quiet tones, in which there wa
power. and an undercurrent of Low
} and sympathy MY boys and girls
[ came here to teach you-to help yol
: 10 DO you gOO0- II Is my nrm De
| lief if my pupils do not learn it i
my own fault and 1 am to blame.
) think 1 have tried but 1 do not Sc
/ the results-Boys and girls. am I
failure-Shan 1 give up-Shan 1 g
home?-Or-will you help me?"
II For a moment there was perfect 81
! lence. not a child moved The SLOW
; ticking of the clock seemed like
, knell- Then the boy who had bee
; the leader of them all. gaunt and tai
5 sprang to his feet In his eye was
look Miss Wade had never seen be
fore.
. Bully for you. teacher" he cried
> Il like your pluck, an you hahn
! failed Stand by us an We'll STAN
5 by you!-FeIlers an girls" he called
= Every one who's goin' ter stand b,
Miss Wade an do your best, stan
= upI"
D Every one rose to his feet
4 Now three cheers for teacher!
shouted the leader, and the old build
| ing rang with the hearty chorus
4 Tears came into the little teacher
eyes. but they were tears of joy. Sh
l had conquered--Boston Record
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