Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-01

"a woman. actually
a young woman. 1t was .prophesied that
she could not keep order single day
for, the term before, the big boys had
once arisen and put out Of the building
the man who taught them.
Then there was boy who occasionally
brought dog to school. and when the
bell rang the dog followed the boy into
the room and lay under the desk pound
ing his tail on the floor, and everybody
Uttered and giggled until the boy had
been coaxed into taking the dog home,
for IL merely left in the entry he howled
and whined in way that made study
impossible.
But one day the boy was not to be
coaxed, and the teacher grabbed the
dog by the scruff of the neck and flung
him through a window so forcibly that
he never came back And now a woman
was to teach the school; she was only
a little woman and yet the boys obeyed
her. and I had come TO think that
woman could teach school nearly as well
as a man, when the awful announce
ment was made that thereafter every
week we we're to have a Friday After
7 noon.
There were to be no lessons, everybody
was to lie a spelling match-and that
was ALL But heavensl it was enough.
Monday began very blue and gloomy,
and the density increased as the week
passed. My mother had drilled me we'll
in my lines and my big sister was law
ish inNher praise. but the awful or
deal of standing up before the whole
school was yet to come.
NIX Infc 4 lanf
all Friday morning I was in a burning
fever. At noon 1 could not eat my lunch.
but l tried to. manfully. and as
munched on the <tasteless morsels. salt
tears rained on the johnnycalke held
in my hand. And even when the girls
brought in big punches OF wild flowers
ana cornstalks, and began to decorate
the platform, things appeared no
brighter.
Finally, the teacher went to the door
and rang the bell Nobody seemed to
play, and as the pupils took their seats
some, very pale. tried to smile. and
others whispered. Have you got your
pieoe?' Still others kept their lips work.
Ing. repeating lines that struggled hard
10 flee.
Names were called. but did not see
who went UP; neither did hear what
was said. At last my name was called
1t came like a clap Of thunder-as a1great
surprise, q shock. I clutched me desk.
struggled to my feet. passed down the
aisle, the sound of my shoes echoing
through the silence like the strokes of a
, maui The blood seemed ready to burst
from my eyes, ears and nose.
reached the platform, missed my foot
ing, stumbled and nearly fell. ] heard
the giggling that followed and knew that
red-hairod boy. who had just spoken
and was therefore unnecessarily jubilant'
\ had laughed aloud.
" was angry. L shut my fists so that
the nails cut my flesh, and glarihg
straight at his red head. shot out my
part:
II know not how others may feel. but
sink or swim, live or die. survive or per-
ish, I give my heart and my hand to
this vote. IT is my living sentiment, and
by the blessing of God 1t shall be my dy-
ing sentiment. Independence now, and
Independence forever"
THAT was all Of the piece. I gave the
whole thing in a mouthful and started
for my seat, got half way there and re-
membered had forgotten to bow, turned.
went back 10 the platform, bowed with
Jerk. started again for my seat and.
hearing someone laugh, ran.
Reaching the seat, / burst into tears.
The teacher came over. patted my head.
kissed my cheek and told me had
done first rate. and after hearing several
others speak / Gained down and quite
agreed with her.