The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-10-24
LOVE PROBLEM
BY MONA DoRR.

cleanliness had impressed her when
entering the town.
Having come all the way from the
city of jamestown to teach at the dis
trict school, the rural scenery gave her
a feeling Of contentment.
CHANGING out through the window In
the tiny waiting room she saw a small
runabout stop and a tall man spring
out.
He came into the station, and step
ping up to her, hat in hand, asked:
rs this Miss ThOrntonT"
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 reassuring
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 q two-mile run when the q
drew up before q low, Old%-f8shiOned
cottage. Though it was the month Of
September, the grass was still a lovely
green, and the dahlias, gladiOli and
other late foliage, In their mingled
glory Of yellow, pink and red, seemed
to nod a bright welcome to the girl.
AS they started up the graveled path
the front door was opened and a
plump, pleasant-faced woman smiled
q welcome to Lillian.
well 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 70 intro
duce her to the new duties at Kelsey
school.
Mrs. Gray's family consisted OF her
husband, a genial, Woodworking farm
er, and her ~siX-year-old Sol Richard,
who would start into school with the
new teacher.
Lillian retired happy that 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 1t,
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 a model school this year."
Twenty-Five ready hands shot into
the air in acquiescence, and Lillian
Thornton knew her first battle was
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 a knock
was heard, and one of the scholars ad
mitted Superintendent Ramsey. Need
less to say, books were laid aside and
attention was claimed.
Now" said the teacher smilingly.
1--WE will have recitation" And there
followed quick sums in arithmetic
which were readily answered by the
older pupils.
Finally the work was switched to
the younger children.
"Richard"-this to the little Gray
,yOungster-"tell us the. answer to n
plus one"
The boy thought for a moment, then
replied "One!"
The teacher looked askance. why,
Richard, one plus One?"
"One," he returned again. Then with
quivering lips and fearful eyes, VI
know, teacher, you said twas two; but
my mother said Tiff Smiley
mean Mr.. Ramsey, kept comm to see
you, you two'd be one, so ! thought
that was an example. You always say
to give an example"
There was a strained silence for
one minute, when a litter, then a
burst of laughter was heard from q
roomful Of lusty young thrOats; and,
worst of all, came the low chuckle OF
a man.
Lillian's head came up from the
desk in double-Quick time, and her
flushed face and angry eyes met the
laughing gaze Of Smiley Ramsey. as
he was lovingly named by his many
little friends.
"My dear little girl" he l~aughingly
whispered, "why should you be Sc
angryT
Tha cchool WAS adjourned one hour