The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-05-06
A GREATER PRIZE
BY MARY 7. NOLAN.

She had a pleasing way about her
which made each member of her class
anxious to do willingly and promptly
whatever she asked them to do.
And how the little boys and girls
did love to listen to Miss Hall telling
them, sometime during the afternoon
session, about strange and interesting
people who lived in other countries.
Or she would speak to them Of their
own native flowers and trees, and the
different kinds of birds and the furry
creatures that inhabited the woods.
One afternoon in the late fall Miss
Hall gave talk on thought-up jour
ney to southern Europe.
When she had finished she smiled
upon her bright-eyed charges and then
brought the happy tourists back home
to their everyday duties. She began to
hear their spelling lesson.
Toward the close of the session Miss
Hall stepped down from the plat
form and went to the blackboard, fol- ;
lowed by hundred questioning eyes.
She took a piece of chalk from the
groove and began writing in the center
of the blackboard.
The first word looked odd to the pu-
pills. A very, very strange word. in
deed, thought each child there.
This was the first word on the board:
"Quercus."
The word following "Quercus" was
"alba."
Miss Hall had resumed her chair.
Then little hand was raised and q
sweet voice said, rather timidly:
'Please, teacher"
Miss Hall looked up and toward the
signaling hand.
swell, Lottie?" she inquired COM
radely.
'Please, teacher, what do those
words you just wrote meanY asked
the brightest and most inquisitive pu-
Pill In the whole class.
THANK you. Lottie, for mentioning
them. had intended a little surprise
for you, children-a sort of test, II you
please, for observation"
Miss Hall showed small, green
covered book to the class. 1t was a
thin volume, about three inches square,
with an attractive leather binding.
Il will present this little book-a
very neat and useful book 1t is, chill
dren-to the boy or girl who first gives
me the correct meaning of the words
that / just put on the blackboard.
Now, know 1 won't have to wait long,
because, children"-she smiled encour-
acknowledgements alba is well known
to you'll think"
One somewhat Indifferent pupil-a
boy named Judd-informed his chums
that he'd all the books he wanted d.
4 ready. "A little smart1e, like Lotte
Blinn. will get that book; you wait
and see!" proclaimed young Judd.
"Well, s'long. you kidsl I'm on to tn
park rr some barberries."
The sour little berries tasted almost
lite delicacy. pickles; and the bushes
were red with them.
The teacher happened to be passing
and heard Tommy's parting remarks
to his schoolmates.
"He would rather roam the woods
than study his books" she told herself
as she watched the running figure of
her unpromising pupil heading toward
the park. II do wish he were more at
tentive-like Lottie Blinn," she
unused.
The air was crisp and invigorating
and she walked briskly toward the
great city park, short distance away.
1t contained many tall, rugged trees.
Along the gravel footpath of this beau
tiful park Miss Hall walked daily and
found health and quietude.
The rosy-cheeked teacher became
aware Of another's presence beside
her. The sonorous greeting Of one she
used to know caused her heart to beat
with ecstasy.
II haven't seen you for long time,
Etta." said Ray Blinn, after the first
greetings had been exchanged; mot
since went away, nearly two years
ago."
The velvety brown eyes of the pretty
schoolteacher looked into those of the
stalwart young soldier.
I'm SO glad you are back home
again, Lieutenant Blinn." she said.
Roy. please-like you used to call
me. 1t sounds more chumlike. Don't
you think so, Etta7"
"Why-er-yes," s.sse answered,
reminiscent; Il think So"
They were walking along the path,
when small boy, wildly waving cap
about his head, as If hornet-chased. and
shouting gleefully 'The books mine
The books minel" came rushing to-
ward them.
The painting youngster stopped in
front of the teacher and gasped out
something about sign he had seen
"while l was lookin' at squirrel run
MIN up tree"