The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-04-20
Where Men Were
Scarce
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
By MONA cowLEs

came to some of the girls who had
graduated from Reynolds college In
war days. But the men were back
from the war and wartime stress Of
business was over. The situation be-
came apparent to Jane Burchard when,
a week after her graduation from Rey-
nolds, she discovered the best job that
she could find through the aid of
agencies and newspaper want adver-
tisements was that of learner In a
candy factory at S12 week or job
selling ribbons In a department store
at SIS.
So Jane decided to teach But she
knew her friends and classmates would
not forget the derisive remarks she
had expressed anent the teaching pro-
fesslon.
IL know why you don't want to
teach" her young brother had ex-
planned. you think teachers never
meet any men, get to be old maids and
never marry. You're afraid you won't
get husband"
Jane Burchard was annoyed. "Pre-
cious little use / have for men," she
snapped. sand just to show you, I'm
going TO start in teaching next
autumn"
But Jane didn't want to face the
inqulring faces OF her friends after
she had begun her career as teacher
so she chose to select from the posi-
tions offered to her that of teacher in
a district school in remote end of the
state. 1t helped little to feel that
she was filling job that no one else
wanted. A special appeal had been
made for teachers for these remote
districts where several schools had
actually been closed down because no
one could be induced to take the posi-
tions. Moreover she wanted to show
that impudent brother OF hers that
men didn't count in her career.
Human beings of all descriptions
were scarce in the rocky region around
Berwick district school, but men,
young men-were singularly unfre-
quent. you'll be perfectly safe to
live alone in the little cottage that
goes with your job" the county super
intendent Of schools had told her.
There isn't a man in the district, not
even tramp. Oh, there's the minister
and the doctor and a dozen old farm
ers and old Stebbins that runs the
store. but they aren't likely to annoy
you"
So Jane Burchard was installed as
district school teacher in Berwick town.
ship, pleased in knowing that, though
her salary was not large. she did not
have to spend any OF II for shelter
and would be able to save more than
with twice the salary in the city.
For two or three months all went
well, II was not until after the Christ
mas holidays that Jane became dis
turbed in her little cottage near the
school.
One day Jane took pains to dismiss
her pupils all on time and overlooked
the fact that several of the older chill
dren had deserved to "stay in" Back
in her cottage she donned heavy walk
Ing boots and neat, though certainly
not very jaunty walking togs.
Then she started ont In her search.
AS she walked through the country
enumerated to herself the occupants Of
the various farmhouses and cottages
she passed.
She was looking for something and
1t was quite apparent that none Of the
houses she passed contained It. So
she walked in the region on the out
skirts OF her district. where there was
an occasional house with which she
was not familiar.
Finally she drew up beside small
but recently renovated two-room cot
tage A man of uncertain age, but
surely not aged. was sitting out In the
cold winter sunshine on the front steps
OF his diminutive home. He was smok-
Ing in solitude. Apparently Jane had
found what she had been seeking.
Excuse me. stranger" she said.
"but wonder II you win help me-
I'm the district school teacher. and
I've been out looking for-well. the
truth Is, I've been looking for an able
bodied man. They are all rather old
or feeble up by the school. l wonder
II you would do me a service"
Inc THintT uihcinpt young inhH TOSt
with an alacrity and good manner that
rather surprised Jane. "By all means
I'D do anything In the world you
asked me-"
swell, I'll tell you" Jane said. lit
tie embarrassed at the obvious urbanity
of the younger man. 81 live alone in the
cottage. Lately some one has been
prowling around--it seems to be O man,
and I hear him every evening just
about the time I'm getting tea, and
then as sit by the table getting ready
the next days lessons ! don't want
any of the neighbors to know I'm
timid. Besides, ] am quite as well able
TO protect myself as any Of the men
down there. Fancy old Doctor Warren
or Parson Jones trying TO stand up
against a man-sized tramp. SO I've been
looking around trying to find a--well,