The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1918-10-18
His CURIOSITY
ny MILDRED l.. DAVIDSON.
Copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndieatel

EfhullElaF tsEIiuDA Ado hO iouESA ASW Ah
iuly sense Of the word but he was still
the most talked OF man In that little
village .ScIloolmaster's methods OF
punishment and his ideas on various
matters were Of never-ending iinpor-
tance to the village gossips.
Not only about the tiinasSs: table of
m..ny u country farm WAS the school
master discussed. For although Rich
ard Brown had been teaching In Eln-
town nearly d year. he was still re-
garded with lively interest by his asso-
ciates at the district school,
The greatest cause OF this interest
lay In the fact that MIR. Richard Brown
had never been known to ask an un-
necessary question, nor to display the
least interest lii any question under
discussion. Village gossips said "That
there Mr.. Brown Is lacking In nat'rai
sense OF curiosity"
Jessie Dearing, the primary teacher,
who possessed good sense of humor,
was very much amused by this man,
and determined to have n good time In
making him show the curiosity which
she was sure was there.
Miss Bearings opportunity to test
Mr. Brown came sooner than she an
ticlpated.
A wealthy farmer In Elmtown had,
upon his death, left Elmtown high
school d substantial library. Richard
Brown thought that this library
should be catalogued, and SO asked
Miss Dearing and Miss Barton, his as
sistants at the school, to assist him.
They consented, and the next Saturday
was decided upon as good day to do
the work.
When Miss Dearing awoke on Sat
urday she found that ii was raining
steadily, but being a good sport as
well as d healthy girl, this did not dis
turb her In the least.
Ten o'clock found Richard Brown,
Miss Dearlng and Miss Barton at work
in the school library.
At noon they stopped work and went
home to lunch, Miss Dearing and Miss
Barton going to nearby farm, and
MIR. Brown driving back to his board.
Ing place.
Mr.. Brown said that he would be
back at one o'clock, but when Miss
Dearing and Miss Barton returned at
quarter after one, he had not arrived
AS the schoolmaster had the key to the
school, there was no way for the girls
to get In.
Miss Dearing thought that thil
would be fine opportunity to make
Mr.. Brown display his curiosity, i
they could get In. Miss Bartor
agreed, but could see no way of get
ting In.
After some time Miss Dearing raj
over to the next farmhouse and bor
rowed a screwdriver. unscreWlni
several Of the iron bars which crossed
open the window and squeeze In.
was very easy then TO replace the bar
and run upstairs to let Miss Bartol
I'm.
Miss Bearings next thought was t
return the screwdriver, but as sh
opened the door she was confronte
by Mr.. Richard Brown.
Il was just looking to see if 1t wer
still raining" she said, dropping th
screwdriyer behind her and not notin
that 1t fell into her umbrellas
Miss Dearing was very angry wit
MIR. Brown as well as herself, and
did not decrease her passion to fin
that Mr.. Brown had no intention of II
quiring how she and Miss Barton ha
gotten into the schoolhouse. Instea
he went quickly to his work without
question.
1t WIS quite dark when the cats
ioguing was finished, and Mr.. Brow
announced his intention of walkin
home with Miss Dearing, who live
some distance from the school.
1t had stopped raining during til
afternoon, but just as Miss Dearin
and Mr.. Brown started up the stree
II began again. Miss Dearing raise
her umbrella and, to her horror, OF
dropped the screwdriver which ST
had entirely forgotten.
Mr.. Brown picked up the offensis
article and put 1t into his pocket wit
out a word Neither did Miss Dearin
speak about the screwdriyer the re,
OF the way home.
When they reached Miss Dearing
gate Mr.. Brown took the screwdrivt
from his pocket and, looking at
said:
Jessie, suppose you have hear
that ridiculous story about my lat
of curiosity, and are wondering why
did not ask how you and Miss Barts
got into the schoolkouse.'
AS Miss DearIng did not reply,
continued.
well, once made up my mind, ju
as an experiment, that I should n
ask unnecessary questions. just
whina. suppose one would call 1t, b.
not d bad one after all. I really ha'
d good bump Of curiosity, and just nc
I am wondering what certain your
lady by the name OF Jessie Dearil
thinks of man named Richa
Brown VIII she tell me7"
Jessie's answer must have been II
lssactory, because II was some TIN
later, In spite Of the rain, that Rlc