The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1920-03-11

/ P'N'"' ii'o 'hC SdttS VI EiuuhtNN
She had just arranged for board and
lodging with widow lady at the scat
tered settlement.
you'll have your crosses, dear"
Mrs Potter declared, "and the prlncl-
pal enc will he the RCyston boys
"Who are the Royston boys:' ques-
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 trees?"
why, yes, did" announced
Frances, "and noticed, too, a tall,
grav"-faced, scholarly looking young
man Mt the gate"
"That Is Mr.. Noel Burton" recitcd
her talkatlve landlady, 'and he is the
adopted father of those four Young tor
menis. fancy they have about worn
him out with their FRANKS. They lead
a rebellion at the school about onne
month and your predecessor gave up
his task in despair There are other
Roy>tons are simply uIseachabe.
"Bnt does not Mr.. Burton try TO
curb lhem:"
"lle cant. About all he thinks about
Is his books. for he is great student.
The boys Oyerrun him and he is too
lhuch occupied with what he calls n
sense of dutysto resist them. You see.
when his sister, Il widow. died, he
promised to he n father to the little
orphans, and Il nice handful he has
had :"
All this rather discouraged Frances,
but by the time the school opened she
had gathered up complete information
as tn the history and traits Of all Of
the scholars and had decided upon
definite policy. She stood in the open
doorway as the odd-twenty children
trooped In. To each She extended Il
welcoming hand.
II hope we are all going to he like
happy, helpful family this term" she
said.
Jem Royston grunted ungra cous,y
and slipped past the extended hand.
but chch Of his brothers returned the
greeting cheerSy.
ION. I'm late again I'm always
late" painted n girl of twelve. dash
Ing breathlessly into the study room
after the last stroke Of the bell had
sounded.
"This is Mercy Lisle, is 1t not?" quer.
led Frances kindly.
"les'm. And have to help with
the dishes"
Il know all about IT," INTERRUPTED
Frances graciOusly, and we are 90
ing tn excuse YOU always, il YOU are
little behind time. You mustn't run
this way. though and ret all warm
and fluStered Now, children,
All hands fixed their eyes on the new
teacher Miss Holdings took from the
hook the ragged. discolored fools can
her predecessor had used She walked
to the stove and thrust it out of view.
Then she picked up the ruler on the
desk and beckoned to the elder Roy.
stOn lad.
you are stout and strong, ,Jem"
she spoke won't you please break
the ruler in two and throw it out. Of
the window? We won't need that
kind of thing any more, will weT and
Jem swelIed up with importance at
this compliment to his strength and
smartly showed off in reducing the
ruler to splinters.
A strange spell Of calm brooded over
The little schoolroom that morning.
lem Royston alone exhibited some rest.
lessness. At recess Miss Holdings
called him up to her desk
you like to be outside, Jem, do
YOU not:' she minated.
SHOULD say I did, Huh. If
had my way I'd be in The woods half
the time"
That is q good trait. II shows that
you must love nature, and the birds.
and the flowers. | have an errand for
You TO do, if you will be so kind 1t
1t to 90 down to the general store
and get some crayons for blackboard
service. You needn't come back here
I'LL afternoon school,"
1t was n strenuous week for the poli-
tic, though at times fearsome teacher.
diplomat, but at its end she burst IN
upon Mrs Porter with a radiant face.
"Oh, | am so happy" she cried.
"Jhose Royston boys have become my
most loyal chamDiOns
"And Mr. Burton was over here an
hour ago" said Mrs. Porter, "wonder-
inH what new mischief the lads were |
for they had changed so In
a week he had got suspicious"
Mr.. Burton told the same story over |
agnin to Frances in person a week
ater, and he seemed to entertain so |
favorable and grateful an opinion OF
he charming, friendly school teacher,
hat his delight was to stroll over to
lie little red schoolhouse and walk
lolne with her.
'rhe town trustees are dreadfully
lnXious to have you sign for another
'ear," Mrs. Porter said to Frances at
he end Of the school term
II have changed my plans" siam
nered Frances, In an embarrassed
yay.