Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-01-22
The Gates of
GladneSS
mn

BY GEORGE ELMER COBB

change the gates Of gloOm-as she
considered the portals to the fenced-in
little red country schoolhOuse at Ap-
pleton-into the gates OF gladness.
She had just arranged for board and
lodging with a widow lady nj the scat
tered settlement.
you'll have your crosses, dear"
Mrs. Potter declared, 'and the princi-
pal one will be the Royston boys"
"Who are the Royston boys?' qnes-
toned Frances apprehensiyely.
"Four-Jem, fourteen Ned, his twin
Bob, twelve; Dick. ten. Did you no.
tice the large house just beyond the
depot surrounded by fir treesi"
"Why, yes, did" announced
Frances, land noticed. too, a tall,
grave-faced, scholarly looking young
man at the gate"
THAT is Mr.. Noel Burton" recited
her tnlkatlve landlady, "and he Is the
adopted father OF those four young tor
ments. fancy they have about worn
him out with their pranks. They lead
n rebellion at the school about once
q month and your predecessor gave up
his task i'm despair. There are other
scholars who are troublesome, but the
Roystons are simply unreachable.
"But does not Mr.. Burton try 10
curb themi"
"He can't. About all he thinks about
is his books, for he is great student.
The boys Overrun him and he is too
much occupied with what he calls
sense Of duty 10 resist them. You see,
when his sister, widow, died, he
promised 10 be a father 10 the little
orphans. and nice handful he has
had
All this rather discouraged Frances,
hut by the time the school opened she
had gathered up complete information
as 70 the history and traits Of all OF
the scholars and had decided upon a
definite policy. She stood in the open
doorway as the odd.twenty children
troOped i'm. To each she extended n
welcoming hand.
81 hope we are all going 10 be like
a happy helpful family this term" she
said.
lem Royston gruntod ungraciouslv
and slipped past tho extended hand.
but each of his brothers returned the
greeting cheersv
"Oh. I'm late again, I'm always
latel" painted a girl Of twelve. dash
ing breathleSSly into the study room
after the last stroke of the bell had
sounded.
"ThIs Is Mercy Isle. is IT not? ?" quer.
led Frances kindly.
"Yes'm. Aud I have TO help with
the dishes"
~ know an about IT," interrupted
Frances graciously and we are go
ing to excuse Won always II YOU are
a little behind time. You mustn't run
this way. though, and get all warm
and huStored Now. children!
All hands fixed their eyes on the new
teacher Miss Hollings took from the
hook The ragged diScolored fools cap
her predecessor had used. She walked
70 the stove and thrust It ont Of view
Then she picked M the ruler on the
desk and heckoncd 10 the elder Roy
Ston lad.
You are stout and strong Jem."
she spoke. won't Won please break
the ruler in two and throw il out Of
the window? We won't need that
kind Of thing any more. will WEI" and
lem Swellod mp With importance AZ
this compliment 70 his strength and
smartly showed OF in reducing the
ruler TO sp'lntcrs.
A strange spell of calm brooded over
the little ~chnoroom that morning.
Jem Royston alone exhibited some rest
lnssness A. recess Miss HonIncs
called him up 10 her desk.
You like TO he outside Jem. 10
you not;" she minated
Should say did Huh. If I
had my way I'll he in the woods half
the time"
THAT is u good trait u shows that
you must love nature, and the birds.
and the flowers. ! have an errand for
YOU TO do, If you will he so kind. II
is to go down to the general store
and get some crayons for blackboard
service. You needn't come back here
TIL afternoon school"
II was strenuous week for the poll
tic. though NJ times tearsome teacher
diplomat. hut AZ It's end she burst In
upon Mrs. Porter with radiant face.
."Oh. am so happy she cried.
'Those Roystop boys have become my
most loyal champions
"And Mr.. Burton was over here an
hour ago" said Mrs Porter. wonder.
ing what new mischief the lads were
breeding, for they had changed so In
q week he had got suspicious
Mr.. Burton told the same story over
again To Frances in person a week
later, and he seemed 10 entertain so
favorable and grateful an opinion Of
the charming, friendly school teacher.
that his delight was to stroll over 10
the little red schoolhouse and walk
home with her.
"ThC town trustees are dreadfully
anxior % have YOU sign Tor another
year Mrs. p0rer said 10 Frances NJ
the end OF thc school term.
II have changed my plans" STAN
mered Frances IN IN cmharros sed
way.
"For The better. dear?T smiled the
wise old widow and Won deserve u