The Lamar register., 1919-06-04
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THE SCHO0LMA'AM (
BY ETHEL NJ. FARMER.
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ma'ams had stood on that same thresh'
old ringing that same rusty bell but
somehow this one seemed different
from the rest. And somehow the clahs
Ing of the bell seemed clearer than
ever.
The ringing of the bell ceased, the
long line OF children passed into the
building and the schOolhouse door was
closed. II was very evident that the
long days in the little school were not
ones Of drudgery. The teacher. who
was little more than II girl herself. was
dearly loved by all the children.
As she began the days work no one
would have surmlsed that In her heart
there was trouble.
at really did seem strange about
Ed. 1t could not be true. Dick was
mistaken. He"
suppressed giggle Interrupted her
wandering thoughts.
With great dignity she asked very
modest little girl, who proudly wore
two tight braids down her back. the
cause Of the disturbance.
Excuse me. please" the girl spoke
tlmIdly. but we had this lesson two
days ago"
Excuse me. too" was all she said.
as she reassigned the lesson.
The clock carefully licked away the
minutes and the hands gradually crept
along their daily journey. Then u
ruler fell on the floor with a sounding
thud
A little red-headed fellow in the
front seat was working very industrl-
ously, with his desk covered with pa
pers and opened books. but the tell
tale ruler lay In the aisle beside him.
Jimmy
"Er. yes'm. Miss Brooks; did you
mean meT And he struggled desper-
ately to return her look with inno-
cency.
"Plck It upl'' she said slowly. fore
ing back a smile.
With great surprise he leaned over
and picked up the offending article and
placed 1t thoughtfully in his desk.
All went well for while after the
ruler was safely deposited out OF sight
until Jimmy suddenly thought of the
lovely. big cud OF gum he had stuck
under his desk.
How good 1t would tsstew he
thought, but he knew how stern "she"
was on chewing in school-he had
tried II before.
He studied the clock with a sigh. for
there were 10 minutes more AT last he
could stand II no longer. and the gum
was suddenly and slyly transferred
from the desk to his mouth
'IIow good II was," And he gave II
n few good chews
"Jlmmyr' came in low tones from the
other side OF the room.
"Er. yes'm." he replied. jumping to
his feet. I'm take"
Put 1t In the basket and crawl In
under my desk. Stay there until the
bell rings"
At last the closing bell rang and the
children filed out OF the building. but
Miss Brooks did not notice that Jimmy
did not appear.
With IA sigh she sat down ut her desk
and drew out part Of n newspaper clip
ping which told of the engagement of
Lieut. Edward smith to beautiful
NhtlelA hfllt. All ol tnc hTlCit WIS
not there. but Dick had assured her
that II was true and that Ed had not
treated her fair.
Just then Dick himself entered tho
room.
where shall we go this evening?'
he asked cheerfully.
Are you sure this Is true about
Edf' she asked lin again.
How can you doubt It? Forget
about him and We will have good
time together"
She shook her head.
Il guess ! Will not go tonight. Some
how | do not believe that Is true about
him"
suddenly Jimmy opened his eyes.
Who said Ed? Why. Ed was his spe-
cinl friend and was coming home from
the army This very day,
He scrambled out from under the
desk. rubbing his eyes.
why. I've been asleep and prom
ised to meet Ed right after school"
"Edf" she asked In surprise. after
overcoming the shock OF the unex-
pected third party.
The boys face fell.
at was To be surprise to you" he
stammercd
Just then Dick picked up his whip.
which he had laid on u chair, and dis
appeared through the door, for he had