The Lamar register., 1920-06-09
A GREATER PRIZE
BY MARY T. NOLAN.
}. by Mcclure Newspaper syndieat,

The pupils of the fourth grade were
very sure there wasn't another teacher
in the world quite as nice and interest
Ing as their Miss Hall
She had 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 Han 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 a thought-up jour
ney TO southern Europe.
When she had finished she smiled
upon her brighteyed 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 n 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 Han had resumed her chair.
Then little hand was raised and a
sweet voice said, rather timidly:
Please, teacher"
Miss Hall looked up and toward the
signaling hand.
"well. LottieT" she Inquired com
radely.
Please, teacher. what do those
words you just wrote meanT" asked
the brightest and most inquisitiye pu-
pill in the whole class.
THANK you, Lottie, for mentioning
them. | had Intended little surprise
for you, children sort Of test. If you
please. Tor OBSERVATION.
Miss Hall showed a small, green
covered book to the class. II was a
thin volume, about three inches square,
with an attractive leather binding.
81 win present this little book-a
very neat and useful book II 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 I won't have 10 wait long.
because. chlldrcn'-she smiled encour
l agingly-"Quercus alba is well known
to you, think."
One somewhat Indifferent pupll-u
boy named Judd-lnformed his chums
that he'd all the books he wanted al
/ ready. "a little smartie. like Lotte
Bllnn, viii get that book you wait
/ and see :" proclaimed young Judd
We'll. s'long. you kidsl I'm on to IN
/ park fr some barberries."
The sour little berries tasted almost
as good to Tommy Judd as his favor
lite delicncy, pickles; and the bushes
were red with them.
The teacher happened to be passing
and heard Tommys parting remarks
/ to his schoolmates.
"He would rather roam the woods
than study his books" she told herself
4 ns she watched the running figure Of
her unpronisIng pupil heading toward
| the park. II do wish he were more at
| tentive-like LottIe Blinn." she
I mused.
! The air was crisp and lnygorating
and she walked briskly toward the
/ great city park, d short distance away
It contained many tail, 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.
81 haven't seen you for long time,
Eta" said Ray Bllnn. 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
staIwart young soldier.
"Im SO glad you are back home
again, Lieutenant Bllnn," she said.
"Roy, please-like you used to call
........ U..rft