Smyrna times., 1919-07-09
ALOVE PROBLEM
BY MONA DoRR.

city or jamestown TO teacn at Lne us
trict school, the rural scenery gave her
a feeling of cOntentment.
Glancing out through the window in
the tiny waiting room she saw small
runabout stop and a tall man spring |
out.
He came into the station, and step
ping up to her, hat in hand, asked:
"Is this Miss ThorntOn%
AS the girl nodded, he continued:
I'm Douglas Ramsey, superintend-
ent of schools. Mrs. Gray asked me to
meet you. You know the roads are so
muddy" He threw her a reassurlng
smile as he picked up her bags and led
the way to the car.
On the ride to Mrs. Gray's she
learned that her companion was Mrs.
Gray's near neighbor, living with his
parents.
The beautiful scenery and lovely
fields impressed Lillian, who had been
used to city life, and the ride had not
seemed a twO-mile run when the car
drew up before a low, Old-fashiOned
cottage. Though it was the month of
September, the grass was still lovely
green, and the dahlias, gladiOli and
other late foliage, in their mingled
glory of yellow, pink and red, seemed
to nod bright welcome to the girl.
AS they started up the graveled path
the front door was opened and a
plump, pleasant-faced woman smiled
a welcome to Lillian.
"We1l not require an introduction"
said Mrs. Gray as she pressed the
girls hand.
After a few words, Superintendent
Ramsey departed with the promise to
call for Lillian the next day to intro
duce her to the new duties at Kelsey
school.
Mrs. G-t.S's family consisted of her
husband. a genial, hard-working farm
er, and her six-year-old son Richard,
who would start into school with the
new teacher.
Lillian retired happy tnat night with
| the assurance of a pleasant home, one
good scholar and the anticipation of
several others.
Tuesday morning found Lillian and
small Richard starting out for the
school, which stood down the road a
short distance. On the way Douglas
! Joined them, and as they reached the
schOolhOuse they saw a group Of eager
little figures patiently waiting.
Hello, Johnny! Well, how goes it,
Ted?" and so on as the man greeted
each smiling face.
When they had all assembled in the
schoOlrOOm the superintendent arose
and said: "BOys and girls, this is our
new teacher, Miss Thornton. How
many are going to do their very best
to make this model school this year"
Twenty-Five ready hands shot into
the air in acquiesCence, and Lillian
Thornton knew her first battle was
won.
Days flew by into weeks and, with
the teachers city training, the little
school was fast becoming a model
classroom.
In the meantime the superintendent
had become a frequent caller at the
Gray homestead, and Lillian looked
forward with pleasure to his evening
calls.
One afternoon in midwinter knock
was heard, and one of the scholars ad
mitted Superintendent Ramsey. Need
less to say, books were laid aside ant
attention was claimed.
.of1 &bo kooohor cTniIinClV
1--WE will have recitation" And there
followed quick sums in arithmetic
which were readily answered by th'
older pupils.
Finally the work was switched t.
the younger children.
"Richard"-this to the little Ora!
youngster-"tell US the answer to on
plus One."
The boy thought for a moment. thei
replied: "Onew
The teacher looked askance. why
Richard, one plus OneT'
"One," he returned again. Then wit
ouivering lips and fearful eyes,
know, teacher, you said twas two; bu
nv mother said if-if Smiley
mean Mr.. Ramsey, kept comm to Sc
you, you two'd be one, so 1 though
that was an example. You always sa
to give an example"
There was a strained silence 70
one minute, when a litter, then
burst of laughter was heard from
roomful of lusty young throats; ant
worst of all, came the low chuckle
q man.
LiIlIan's head came up from tn
desk in double-Quick time, and ne
flushed face and angry eyes met tn
laughing gaze of Smiley Ramsey,
he was lovingly named by his man
little friends.
"My dear little girl" he laughing
whispered, "why should you be
angry?"
The school was adjourned one hoV
before closing time and then many
the older girls came up to comfol