The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1919-05-15
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., |!
A CITY TEACHER
sv HELEN PATTERSON.

Il ..~.-,-,-~-~.-~-~.- --~~~~-~->~>~~-~.O
Observation-Disclosures lIilliiI'
rcopyrirhl, Mcclure Newspaper synoieA'
Slowly the big car stopped IN rom
of the white schoolhouse tnat was
nerched upon a low hill. 1t was aItei
school hours and there was nothing
that indicated the house had Deen
filled with noisy boys and girls only
hslf-hour before.
eyes. this is the very place. SAID
the occupant Of the car aloud. moi
much changed. either, since ! ate my
dinner on that rock, barefooted anu
happy. New paint, shades and nan
give 1t more modern appearance.
wonder If the old desks are INSIDE
I'm going to Investigate" and sufting
his actions to his words he was soon
testing the hall door. To his surprise
II Welded to his touch. cantor must
he a little careless" he thought, as ne
crossed the narrow hall and entered
the schoolroom. In the dusk OF the
short, wintry afternoon he could see
that the room had changed. New
desks, blackboards, pictures and SASH
curtains gave it an unfamiliar aspect.
The fire was not wholly out In the Dig
stove, and as the man warmed his nm
gers he became conscious that he was
not alone. Turning, he faced the
teachers desk. A slip Of girl, with
traces of tears on an unusually pretty
face, sat behind it, watching him. For
a moment the man looked at her. and
then in a kindly voice asked:
'LOnesOme?"
mo, not entirely that" replied the
girl, winking hard to keep back the
tears.
discouraged and tired?" he contin-
ued.
EYES," quickly answered the girl.
"Ahw said the man, pausing to
draw a chair nearer to the stool, "but
l don't believe it's nearly as bad as
you think"
Eyes, it is. This morning was just
as happy, thinking of all the beautiful
Christmas stories was going to teach
the children and what good time we
would have Illustrating them"
"And what married your plans?
Weren't the children interested?"
"Interestedl You ought to have
seen them; but It's a member of the
school board. He had to visit US this
afternoon and spoil everything. He
didn't want me elected because had
always lived In the city and this was
my first year Of teaching. Outside Of
q few small summer resorts know
nothing Of the country, but I argued
the children would be ignorant OF city
life, and could give them that. This
afternoon we had practical arithmetic,
original problems. Some Of the prices
Of grains, pigs Give weight), wood and
fertilizers the older children didn't
agree on, and I knew nothing about
them. Mr.. P gave us the correct
prices. After school was dismissed he
asked me If it would not be as well
to acquaint myself with what the boys
and girls were interested in. The new
superintendent is young man, and
this is his first year also. OF course
he will do just what the school board
tells him to do, and I shall be asked
to resign, and you don't know how I
hate to 60 home because I've failed"
II think / do" answered the man
with kind smile.
For few minutes they talked, the
man telling humorous experiences that
had happened when as a little boy he
had sat on the long board that served
as a seat, and vainly tried to make
his feet touch the floor, until the girl
forgot about her troubles; then he
took her to her boarding place. 1t
was not until the car was out Of sight
that the girl remembered she did not
know the mans name.
Two weeks quickly passed. Busy
with her work, the girl had almost for
gotten the new superintendent, and
that she had intended resigning her
school. She faithfully studied farm
products and could satisfy the most
exacting member Of the school board
on their market values.
School had just been dismissed. The
girl, picking up papers, was singing
softly to herself, 20 Little Town of
when small boy who
had been clapping erasers rushed into
the room.
Miss Nj Miss M" he
cried. 1.-THE new superintendent is out
here in the dandiest car"
Flush, Robert" she said as she
turned to greet the superintendent,
who had followed close after the boy.
Slowly the color receded from her face
only to rush back in burning blush
IS she looked at the man in front Of
her.
Miss n" he was saying in the
Jane kind voice that had haunted her
Tor two weeks, II really intended to
get here earlier, but a bad tire de-
.ained me. However, I thought I
would get here before school dis
missed, but I'm ten minutes too late.-
"Why-you are-if you are Mr..
o., the superintendent, 1t was I'M
air." said the girl. her eyes flashing.
Eyes. I guess 1t was" replied Mr..
>, 'but really, Miss M, it
wasn't an official visit and l had for
.otten the fact myself until It was too
ate. So let us forget 1t and begin
,ver again today"
II can't. 1t was so childish and stu