The Princeton union., 1922-09-14
a
Fallen Idol
By ELLA SAUNDERS


Copyright. 1879. Western Newspaper Union.
"You do love Mumste, don't you
JohnnyT' asked his mother, bending
down to kiss him,
VERY much, Mumsie, but I love
Miss Rogers teeny little bit more,
COS she's so nice to me-"
Mrs. Adair watched the little fig
ure depart upon its way to school
With an old pang at her heart. She
had had two children. but one had
been taken from her, and she had
clung to her little boy with all the
devotion Of the mother Of one.
Miss Rogers, capable, cool, efficient,
yet seemed poor substitute for her.
self in Johnny's affections.
Had she not slaved for him, given
up every minute Of her life to him7
She had watched the little figure
asleep with passionate love. And now
he loved Miss Rogers little bit more.
For a moment she almost hated the
school-teacher. She would have liked
to have torn her hair, scratched her
face, committed any excess Of out
ragged mother-love. Then common sense
came to her aid. After all it was
probably childish fancy.
"Mumsie, dear, what shall give
Miss Rogers for her birthday tomor-
row?"
"How do you know it's tomorrow
"'COs she told me. She'll be twenty
four" Mrs. Adair smiled. So even eff
cient Miss Rogers was not above wom-
anly deceptions! "And I can't fink
whether to give her a pin-box or some
flowers. And I've got forty cents"
"What did you give Mumsie last
birthday?"
But I forgot it was your birthday"
protested Johnny. "You should have
minded me-"
Mrs. Adair hardened her heart. She
choked down her distress. I'm afraid
that's matter that you'll have to de-
eide for yourself, Johnny" she an
swered.
Johnny pondered over the problem
all the way to school next morning.
When he entered the classroom his
mind was still not made up. He
glanced up at Miss Rogers, presiding
over the little boys and girls. How
beautiful she was, with that smooth
curl on her forehead! He loved her.
He had never dared to tell her so.
He wondered if she could guess how
much he loved her.
Johnny, sit upl''
Johnny sat up in CONSERVATION. Miss
Rogers had never spoken to him quite
so Grossly as that before. Tears came
Into his eyes. How sorry she would
feel when he gave her her present.
But what should 1t be? Should he
give her the pin-box the next morning,
or should he give her the bunch of
flowers? He could not possibly make
up his mind. Which would Miss Rog-
ers prefer? Suppose he gave her
flowers and she would rather have had
the pin-boxl
Johnny, come here What do you
mean by lolling In the class like that
forY'
Johnny stood In the middle of the
room, painfully conscious of the scorn-
full glances of the other children. He
began to cry. His Miss Rogers-to
treat him so! He fought down the
tears, but his lips trembled.
Miss Rogers was really upset that
day. She had had quarrel with her
sweetheart. But, of course, Johnny
could not have been expected to know
that
Johnny, you've been idling and
dreaming all through the lesson. Now
repeat to me what I've taught YOU"
1t was true. Johnny could not re-
peat a single word. How should he,
when he had not heard one? His
thoughts had been far away-dream-
ing about the flowers and the pin-box.
"You really are very idle, bad
boy. Now go to your seat and try to
pay attention to what I tell you."
Johnny went back. He felt the tears
running down his face He could no
longer contain himself
"Cry-baby!" whispered the little
girl next to him. He slapped her face.
"Johnny!" Amazed, Miss Rogers
bore down on him. Leave the room at
once. If you don't behave yourself
I shall send you to the principal"