Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1918-08-22
HIS CURIOSITY
BY MILDRED |. DAVIDSON.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspar
per Eyndicate.)

Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspar
per Syndicate.)
The new principal of Elmtown
grammar school was NO longer new In
any sense Of the word, but he WIS still
the most talked Of man In that little
village. "SchOolmaster's" methods Of
punishment and his ideas OH various
matters We're of never-ending impOr-
lance to the village gossips.
Not only about the dinner table Of
many country farm MAS the school
master discussed. For although Rich
ard Brown had been teaching in Elm
town nearly year, he was still re-
sarded with lively interest by his asso-
ciatcs Mt the district school.
The greatest cause OF this interest
lay In the fact that Mr.. Richard Brown
had never been known to ask an un-
necessary question, nor to display the
least interest in any question under
discussion. Village gosslps said "Thut
there Mr.. Brown is lacking in a nnt'ral
sense Of curiosity"
Jessie Dearing, the primary teacher.
who possessed good sense OF humor,
wns very much amused hy this man,
and determined to have 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
.icipated.
a wealthy farmer In Elmtown had,
upon his death, left Elmtown high
school substantial library. Richard
Brown thought that this library
should he catalogued. and so asked
Miss bearing and Miss Barton. his as
sistants at the school, to assist him.
They consented, and the next Saturday
was decided upon us good day to do
the work.
When Miss bearing awoke on Sat-
nrdny she found that 1t was raining
steadily, but being good sport us
well as Il healthy girl, this did not dis
turb her in the lenst.
| Ten o'clock found Richard Brown,
Miss bearing and Miss Barton ae WORK
in the school library.
At noon they stopped work and went
home to lunch. Miss bearing and Miss
Barton going to Il nearby farm, and
Mr.. Brown driving back to his board
ing place.
Mr.. Brown said that he would be
back Mt one o'clock, but when Miss
Dearing and Miss Barton returned ut
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 bearing thought thnt this
would be Il fine opportunity to make
Mr.. Brown display his curiosity. If
| they could get in. Miss Barton
agreed. but could see no way Of get
| ting in.
After some time Miss bearing ran
over to the next farmhouse and Dor
| rowed screwtriver. unscrewing
several Of the iron bars which crossed
the basement windows. she was able to
open the window and squeeze In. It
was very easy then to replace the bars
and run upstairs to let Miss Barton
In.
Miss Bearings next thought was to
return the screwdriver, but as she
opened the door she was confronted
| by Mr.. Richard Brown.
II was just looking to see If 1t were
still raining" she said. dropping the
screwtlriver behind her and not noting
| that it fell into her umbrella.
| Miss Denring was very angry with
Mr.. Brown as well as herself. and II
did not decrease her passion to find
that Mr.. Brown had no intention Of In.
curing how she and Miss Burton had
gotten into the schOolhouse. Instead
| he went quickly to his work without o
question.
1t was quite dark when the cata.
| loguing was finished, and Mr.. Brown
announced his intention Of walking
hsne with Miss bearing. who lived
some distance from the school.
1t had stopped raining during the
afternoon, but just as Miss bearing
and Mr.. Brown started up the street
1t began again. Miss bearing raised
her umbrella and. to her horror, out
dropped the screwdriver which she
had entirely forgotten.
Mr.. Brown picked up the offensive
article and put it into his pocket with.
out u word. Neither did Miss Denrine
| speak about the screwdriver the rest
of the way home.
When they reached Miss bearings
gate Mr.. Brown took the screwdriyer
from his pocket and, looking at 1t
said:
Jessie. suppose you have heard
that ridiculous story about my lack
of curiosity, and are wondering why ]
did not ask how you and Miss Barton
got into the schoolhouse."
AS Miss bearing did not reply, he
continued.
"Well, l once made up my mind, Just
as an experiment, that should not
ask unnecessary questions. Just q
whim, suppose one would call it, but
not bad one after all. really have
a good bump of curiosity, and Just now
am wondering what certain young
lady by the name Of Jessie bearing