The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-21
Eoening Story
Now, Up North
By CORONA REMINGTON.


grip and put on her coat and hat. A
moment later she was standing on the
platform watching the train pull oN.
AS she glanced around she felt like
running after the disappearing cars
and begging, them not to leave her
behind. It seemed as if she had sew
cred the last connection with her past,
her girlhood life, but in a flash her
ispirits were up again and she turned
quickly as some one touched her on
the arm
Miss Caruthers?" said a pleasant
voice, and Marion saw before her a
lmiddle-aGed man with barred head
Yes, I'm she," she smiled back at
him.
I'm Thompson, the principal of the
school where you're going to teach"
How nice of you too meet me-" she
said. I'm awfully glad you're the
principal because know III like you"
you're very young, Miss Caruth-
lersS he mus0d glancing up and down
the trim little figure before him.
Yes, this is my first school," she
admitted.
And to come so far"
1T is a long way. but I've always
1 first chance"
II hope you'll like it; wo de. Wen
just get home in time for dinner" he
icontinued.
home we always have dinner at 6
O'clock"
Professor Thompson looked shade
uncomfortable for a second, but he
managed to say lightly:
Were just ordinary folks down
here. Guess you'll have to make al
lowances."
/ Mrs. Thompson met Marion at the
door and gave her a warm welcome.
80 glad to see you, dear. Are you
!, very tired? How do you like our
country? Dinners just ready. I'll
show you your room so you can take
off your things"
When Mrs. Thompson came back
downstairs she and her husband had a
hurried word in the hall.
isn't she attractive!' said Mrs.
Thompson What lovely eyes and
such quick, infectious SMILE
Yes, but I'm afraid she's too young
to manage children in a country high
school. Had absolutely no exerience."
Their comments were cut short by
the entrance of Marion and they all
hurried into the dining room.
4 "Biscuits?" said Marion quizzically
at the dinner table. up north we
haTe bread-bake Wednesdays and
Saturdays"
I'm sorry we have none" said the
And you serve string beans with
pork" Marion went on in amazement.
Il never saw that before"
By the time the meal was over Mrs.
Thompson felt that somehow her we'll
cooked dinner had fallen short of the
mark. 1t was very Disappointing
she had worked so hard.
The following day school began and
Marion was busy all the rest of the
week getting things organized in her
classroom.
You know" she said to Professor
lThompson that Friday afternoon as
they left the building tgether, most
of the boys and girls have are old
enough to be in the graduation class
instead of second year. Up north they
would be-"
Perhaps So" he answered patiently.
Marion shook her head in discour-
agement. There was many things she
could not quite understand and many
more that she could not make them
understand They were nice people
and intelligent, but so different
At the first parent-teachers' meet
ing she nearly had an open tilt with
one or two of the mothers. She just
could not make them see. And, worst
Fof all. she had a feeling that they
were antangonistic toward her, and
this hurt. At home she had always
been fairly well liked, she admitted to
herself as she SAT in her room and
dabbed at the falling tears. They did
not understand her. There was only
one person in Pennelton who did. and
he was John Hamilton, the Latin
professor.
Fall slipped into winter and the
students at Pennelton county high
pegged away. Marion had enjoyed
the Thanksgiving holiday immensely
Professor Hamilton's mother had in
vited her over for Thanksgiving din.
ner.. after which they had gone on 6
; straw ride and had supper at a dis
tant inn 1t was jolly crowd. Their
there were two dances and Marion
had made decided hit each night
,, Still she did not feel that she was one
of them. There was always Il slight
GOODNESS about these people that was
: apt to freeze suddenly right in the
. middle of a conversation, and without
a moments notice. Southern people
were nice. but queer-so queer. Nc
doubt about that
And now spring had come agar
! and soon Marion would be going bach
home, and for some peculiar reason
she was not sure that she was GLAD
. She had made a success of her teach.
ing and Professor Thompson had beer
unstinted in his praise of her work.
The parent-teachers decided to Civ,
parting banquet in honor Of them
selves and to commemorate a mos
. successful years work. Marion pu
l on her best evening dress and,lookec
her Stunningest as she sat beside Pro
fessor Thompson at the long table.
Mrs. Burton rose and began tt
make a speech:
This banquet" she said, sis II
honor Of Miss Caruthers. Everythin,
on the table has been prepared by
| northern woman we coaxed over from
Delton and the recipes all came GU
of a northern cook book. We wanted
just once to. do something down Souti
as they do 1t up North, and -
> "Oh, forgive me-" interrupted Mar
lion jumping up. ''I see it all now
but never realized how tactless
was. That's what's been the matter
What a little beast I've been! Woult
1T help to make amends now II 1 tel
you I love the south and the peopl,
and the cooking and everything, and
did so want them to love me. If yol
lever hear me say up north again