The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-11-06
By GEORGE ELMER COBB
(Copyright, 1919. by the Western News.
paper Union.)

| her talkative landlady, "and he is the
adopted father Of those four young tor
ments. I fancy they have about worn
him out with their pranks. They lead
a rebellion at the school about once
a month and your predecessor gave up
his task in despair. There are other
scholars who are troublesome, but the
Roystons are simply unreachable.
"But does not Mr.. Burton try to
curb them?" =.
'He can't. About all he thinks about
is his books, for he is great student.
The boys overrun him and he is too
much occupied with what he calls a
sense of duty to resist them. You see,
when his sister, a widow, died, he
promised to be q father to the little
orphans, and a nice handful he has
had"
All this rather discouraged Frances,
but by the time the school opened she
had gathered up complete information
as to the history and traits Of all Of
the scholars and had decided upon
definite policy. She stood in the open
doorway as the odd-twenty children
trooped in. To each she extended a
welcoming hand.
'1 hope we are all going to be like
happy, helpful family this term" she
said.
Jem Royston grunted ungraciously
and slipped past the extended hand,
but each Of his brothers returned the
greeting cheerSy.
"Oh, I'm late again! I'm always
late" painted a girl of twelve, dash
ing breathlessly into the study room
after the last stroke Of the bell had
sounded.
"This is Mercy Lisle, is 1t not?" quer-
led Frances kindly.
"Yes'm. And I have to help with
the Dishes"
'1 know all about It." interrupted
Frances graciously, and we are 60
ing to excuse you always, If you are
little behind time. You mustn't run
this way, though, and get all warm
and flustered. Now, children!
All hands fixed their eyes on the new
teacher. Miss Hollings took from the
hook the ragged, discolored FOOLS cap
her predecessor had used. She walked
to the stove and thrust it out Of view.
Then she picked up the ruler on the
desk and heckoned to the elder Roy
ston lad.
'sYou are stout and strong, Jem,"
she spoke. "Wo4't you please break
the ruler in two and throw 1t out Of
the window? We won't need that
kind Of thing any more, will WEI" and
Jem swelled up with Importance at
this compliment to his strength and
smartly showed of in reducing the
ruler to splinters.
A strange spell Of calm brooded over
the little schoolroom that morning.
Jem Royston alone exhibited some rest.
lessness. At recess Miss Hollings
called him up to her desk.
"You like to be outside, Jem, do
you not?" she intimated.
"Should say I did! Huh! If I
had my way I'd be in the woods half
the time"
'That is a good trait. It shows that
you must love nature, and the birds,
and the flowers. have an errand for
you to do, if you will be so kind. It
Is to 60 down to the general store
and get some crayons for blackboard
service. You needn't come back here
till afternoon school,"
It was strenuous week for the poll
tic, though at times fearsome teacher
diplomat, but at its end she burst in
upon Mrs. Porter with a radiant face.
"Oh, I am so happy" she cried.
''Those Royston boys have become my
most loyal champions"
"And Mr. Burton was over here an
hour ago." said Mrs. Porter, wonder
ing what new mischief the lads were
breeding, for they had changed so in
q week he had got suspicious"
Mr.. Burton told the same story over
again to Frances in person a week
later. and he seemed to entertain so
favorable and grateful an opinion of
the charming, friendly school teacher,
that his delight was to stroll over to
the little red schoolhouse and walk
home with her.
''The town trustees are dreadfully
anxious to have you sign for another
year." Mrs. Porter said to Frances at
the end of the school term.
"I-I have changed my plans" stam-
mered Frances, in an embarrassed
way.
"For the better, dear?" smiled the
wise old widow. "And you deserve it.
You managed those unruly boys as
their Teacher, and as their adopted
mother you will certainly make per.