Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-03-19

Ii was bleak, rainy autumn day
and In the fourth grade room of the
Belllngham school the weather, react
ing as II always does upon the pupils,
had produced state of inattention,
restlessness and disorder, which grew
more marked with every hour Miss
Booth, the pretty little teacher, had a
worried line creasing her smooth white
forehead and there was worried
look In her soft brown eyes.
AS usual, the rlngleader was Chaun-
cey Bartlett. During the first three
weeks Of school he had been absent,
convelescing from minor operation,
and Miss Booth, who was stranger In
the place and new teacher In the
school, had hard no especial trouble
with her pupils. But when Chauncey
got back, the young imps of the fourth
grade rallied to their leader to a boy /;
the little girls F6ved their teacher and
frankly disapprCyed of those hor-
rid boys" The negative consolation
of this, however, hardly offset the ac
tive discomfort caused by the busy
Chauncey.
He was a handsome boy, the only
child of Doctor Bartlett, and 1t was
whispered among the teachers that If
any of their number should presume to
intiict corporal punishment upon
ChaunCey, the offender would not re-
main long in the Bellingham school
Doctor Bartlett was said to be violent
ly opposed to corporal punishment.
Upon this day the principal was Ill
and at home. Chauncey, aware of the
fact, became more and more outrage
Gus until Miss Booth saw that she
must assert herself decidedly or lose
the last vestige Of authority she pos
seSsed.
The last straw was shrill whistle,
proceeding without the least conceal
ment from Chauncey's puckered lips.
"Chauncey," said the teacher, pass
into the dressing room. Albert, you
may act as monitor till l return"
She took from the desk drawer a
heavy ferule and followed the offend
er into the dressing room and closed
the door.
"Chauncey," she said, hold out your
hand
The boys eyes Widened.
you whip me and I'll tell my ia
ther!' he retorted detiantly.
Tell him, by all MEANS" was the
spirited reply, and If he makes any
objections, I'll ferule him, too. Hold
out your hand"
The unmstakable ring of authority
and of perfect fearlessness in her tone
had their effect Chauncey held out
his hand and few moments later was
trying to avoid Whispering over q
tingling pain. He was very quiet the
rest of the morning and the others,
awed by the events which had oc-
Cured, were models of behavior. He
did not return for the afternoon SEES
sion, however, and Miss Booth augured
the worst from the fact. She had just
finished experimenting her desk for
the night when there came a tap on
the door, and going to answer it, her
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. II I'M
derstand that you feruled my son
Chauncey today"
II did, said Miss Booth.
"And that you said If l had any OBJ
Jections you would ferule me?"
81 did !" repeated Miss Booth. Hold
our your hand |"
She was close to the breaking point,
WEAKNESS and fear, and loneliness all
but 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, Tets talk this over. You see,
haven't any objections to your ferul-
ing my son! !"
Miss Booths face became ashen.
Don't be disturbed, l beg said the
doctor. II understand the whole thing.
Chauncey Is, as you know, mctherless;
/ anu 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 In
whipping children too often, but there
comes time with some when nothing
else, apparently, will bring them to
their senses. Chauncey has used
mistaken impression which prevailed
about me to tyrannize over his teach
ers. | 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 obedient in ine futureI''
Miss Booth sat down weakly In her
chair. The room wsa going round and
the doctor was becoming giant She
presently woke to fnd him holding
water to her lips, her head pillowed
60 l.