The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-10
THE EVENING STORY
GENTLE ART OF JUDGING

I dren. Never a word out OF one OF you
unless spoken to, and all sitting up in
chairs. quiet as mice with a big cat
around. And don't you depart from
good tried ways FOR some new-fangied
notions"
Yes. Poor father" Judith. Jr., again
| sighed, somewhat irrsverently Il would
seem, after Judith. Sr.'s eulogy OF that
parent. the blue eyes grew stu more
wistfui.
"You make Rufus toe the mark.
Start In with him the very minute he
sets foot inside the door," Judith ST.,
stu insisted.
Judith was her nAmesake and the
daughter of her twin brother. and, as
is used In this relationship. her favor
ite brother, and her favorite, too. OF all
her neices and nephews; priced even
above that other namesake, sister AIMS
Judith. And she did not intend her to
be III used by any one, especially that
ornery Rufus Todd.
IT will, Aunt Jude. I'll take him in
hand the very minute he enters my
schoolroom," Judith. Jr., promised.
Hell never, never get the best OF me
II preparedness counts for anything.
mean to get the best OF him; and thank
you for your information"
Tuesday morning Judith was at her,
desk. her pupils before her. when the
village bette noire staggered in.
Dogged challenge and defiance were in
every movement and in the look he
cast upon Judith. Every nerve tense,
the children looked at Judith, expectant
OF the usual opening of the fall term.
Good morning, Rufus" Judith
greeted him, her voice clear ana sweet
as birds love call. Rufus stopped
as II bullet struck. Uncertainty he
looked at Judith, defiance somewhat ,
relaxed. yet still on the defensive. II
was little bit afraid you weren't
coming to my school: and wanted you
to come. need Just such boy as you
to help me In a new plan have for my
children. Sit down there now, on a
front seat. and let me tell you and all
the others about it."
Rufus dropped into a seat as II shot.
His head hanging with embarrassment,
he twisted his cap hard in his hands,
staring at the floor.
II have inquired around a little about
my prospective pupils" Judith con-
tinued brightly. Il wanted TO get ac-
quainted with them before we met face
to face: and I've been told that you,
Rufus are great at manly sports
football and baseball, and that you are
a clean sportsman Now I'm not one
bit of good at anything but basketball. |
say I'm good at thatI believe In ath-
letic games. They were one OF the
main features of the city schools where |
I was educated, and l mean to make |
them a feature OF my little school, |
And I'm going to appoint you instructor |
OF the boys in baseball, football and |
and guardian OF the peace |
on the playground. There isn't TO be
any cheating at games, nor quarrelling |
nor fighting. And II there is I'm 60
ing to hold you responsible because of
your position. Will you do this for me,
'T-I-In try to-" poor Rufus stam-
nlered, after several failures to ans
wer. He was so stunned and touched
by this unexpected treatment, he almost
yielded to the weakness OF tears
The other pupils were stunned, too,
so different from their expectations was
Judith's reception of Rufus And with
their mood was mingled resentment at
Rufus undeserved honor as they
thought, and his supremacy and direc-