Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-12-12
SINS OF CHILDREN
BY ANNETTE SYMmES.
.Copyr.Shi. 1919. Mcclure Newspaper syn
dicate)

1t WAS bleak. rainy autumn t.ay
ana In the fourth grade room OF the
rockingham school the weather. react
ing as it always does upon the pupils.
had produced state of inattentiun,
rcSt!csSneSS and disorder which grew
NOR" marked with every hour. Miss
Booth. the pretty little teacher. had Il
worried line creasing her smooth white
forehead and there WAS a worried
look III her soft brown eyes.
AS usual. tho ringleatler was Chaun-
coy Bartlett. During the first three
weeks Of school he had been absent,
convalcscing from minor operation.
ani Miss Booth. who was Il stranger in
the place and Il new teacher in the
school, had Ind no especial trouble
with her pupils. But when. Chnunccy
got back. the young impS OF the fourth
grade rallied To their leader to Il boy:
the little girls loved their teacher anu
frankly diSapproved of those hor-
rid boys The negative consolation
or this. however. hardly offset the ac-
tive discomfort caused by the busy
Chnuncey.
He was handsome boy. the only
child Of Doctor Bartlett. and it WAS
whispered among the teachers that ii
any or their number should presume to
infttct corporal punishment upon
Chauncey. the offender would not re-
main long in the Bcllingham school
Doctor Bartlett was said to he violent
~ opposed TO corporal punishment.
Upon this day the principal was i'll
and at home. Chaunccy, aware Of the
TACT, became more and more outrage
Gus until Miss Booth saw that she
must assert herself decidedly or lose
the last vcstige Of authority she pos
ScSsed
The last straw was Il Shrill whistle.
proceeding without the least conceal
'h,nt from Chauncey's puckercd lips.
'Chaunccy." said the teacher. pass
into the dressing room. Albert, you
may act as monitor till ! return.'I
She took from the desk drawer
heavy ferule and followed the offend.
er into the dressing room and closed
the door.
"Chauncey." she said, "hold OUT ynnr
hand"
The boys eyes widencI.
You whip me and I'll tell my f:,-
Their" he retortcd delian;ly.
'rcll him. by all means" WAS the
spirited reply, land if he makes any
objections. I'll fcru!e him, too. Hold
out Your hand!"
The unniistakubIe ring OF authority
and of perfect fearlessneSs in her tone
had their effect. Chauncey held out
his hand and II few moments later was
trying to avoid whimpcring over II
tingling pain. He was very quiet the
rest OF the morning and the others,
awed by he events which had &C.
Cured. We're models of behavior. He
did not return for the afternoon ses-
sion. however. and Miss Booth augured
the werst from the fact. She had just
finished experimenting, her desk for
the night when there came a tap on
the door. and going 70 answer it. her
heart almost stopped beating to see
the splendid figure of Doctor Bartlett
towering before her.
Miss Booth. believer he began
stepping into the room in answer to
her mute gesture Of Invitation. ~ un-
-derstand that you feruled my son
Chauncey today"
II did" said Miss Booth.
and that you said # had any OBJ
jections you would ferule mc?"
II did," repeated Miss Booth. Hold
our your hand!"
She was close to the breaking point.
WEAKNESS and fear. and loneliness all
hut overwhelmed her. 1t was all
over! She would lose her position.
perhaps have great trouble in getting
another.
And now" said the doctor, quietly,
rubbing his hands upon his handker-
chief, "lct's talk this over. You see.
haven't any objections to your ferul-
ing my SON.
Miss Booths face became nshen.
Don't he disturbed, beg" said the
doctor. 81 understand the whole thing
Chaunccy Is, as you know, motherless
l am away from home too much to
give him the attention he needs. and
he winds our cook round his little fin
ger. 1t is true, I do not believe i'm
whipping children too often. but there
comes time with some when nothing
else. apparently, will bring them to
their senses. Chauncey has used n
mistaken impression which prevailed
about me to tyranuIze over his teach
crs. felt that any teacher without
backbone enough to enforce obedience
! without fear or favor deserved no as
| sistance from me. / am glad that he
has found one Of the other kind at
, last He is at present in bed at home,
| and l think ! can promise you that he
will be obcdicnt In tile future ~
Miss Booth sat down weakly in her