The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-10-17
CHAPTER VlI-Continued.

~'tSf
s.
Newton explained for the tenth time
that Jim had done so many things that
no teacher was supposed to do, and
had left undone so many things that
teachers were bound by custom to
perform, that Newton's father and Mr..
Bonner and Mr.. Peterson had made
up their minds that they would call
upon him to resign, and If he wouldn't,
they would turn him out" In some
way.
What wrongs he done committed!''
asked Raymond. 81 don't know what
teachers air supposed to do in this
kentry, but Mr.. Jim seems to be the
only shore-enough teacher l even see p
he don't teach out Of the books
the school board adopted" replied
Newton.
But he makes up better lessons
urged Raymond. AN all the things
we do in school helps us make a
livin'.n
He begins at eight in the mornin',"
said Newton, IAN he has some of us
there till half past five, and comes
back In the evening. And every Sat
urday, some of the kids are dom
something at the schoolhouse."
"They don't pay him for overtime,
DO they?" queried Raymond. "Well,
then, they orto, instid of turnin' him
Dut!s
"Well, they'll turn him out !" prophe-
sled Newton. am havin' more fun
IN school than l ever-an' that's why
I'm with you on this quittin' trapping
but they'll get Jim, all right"
I'm having something betteh'n
fun" replied Raymond. my pap has
never understood this kentry, an we
all has had bad times hyeh; but Mr..
Jim an I have studied out how 1 can
make a Detteh Twin next year-and
pap says We kin go on the way Mr..
Jim says. I'll work for Colonel Wood
ruff a part of the time, an pap kin
make corn in the biggest field. 1t
seems we didn't do our work right last
year-an' in a couple of years, with
the increase of the hawgs, an the
land we kin get under pillow :"
II was still an hour before nine
when the rural school additionally
takes up"-when the boys had stored
their traps In a shed at the Bronson
home, and walked on to the school
house. That rather scabby and wealth
cred edifice was already humming
with industry Of a sort. In spite of
the hostility of the school board, and
the aloofness of the patrons of the
school, the pupils were clearly inter
ested In Jim Twins system of rural
education. Never had the attendance
been so large OF regular; and one of
the reasons for sessions before nine
and after four was the inability Of the
teacher to attend TO the needs of his
charges In the five and a half hours
called school hours"
The day passed. Four o'clock came.
In order that all might reach home
for supper, there was no staying, ex-
cept that Newt Bronson and Raymond
Simms remained to sweep and dust
the schoolroom, and prepare kindling
for the next mornings fre-a' work
they had taken upon themselves, so as
to enable the teacher to put on the
blackboards such outlines for the NOR
rows class work as might be required.
Jim was writing on the board a list
Of words constituting a spelling exer-
else. They were not from textbooks,
but grew naturally out of the study of
the seed wheat-"cockle," morning
glory" "convolvulus," "yiable,'' "via-
bility," "sprouting," "iron-weed" and
the like. A tap was heard at the door,
and Raymond Simms opened 1t.
In filed three women-and Jim Ir-
win knew as he looked at them that
he was greeting a deputation, and felt
that it meant a struggle. For they
we're the wives of the members Of the
school board. He placed for them the
three available chairs, and in the alb
sence Of any for himself remained
standing before them, a gaunt shabby
settled usage and fixed public opinion.
Mrs. Haakon Peterson was a tall
blonde woman, s~low-spOken and dig
niied, and Jim felt an instructive re-
spect for her personality. Mrs. Bron-
son was a good motherly woman,
noted for her housekeeping, and for
her church activities. She looked
oftener at her son, and his friend,
Raymond, than at the schoOlmaster.
Mrs. Bonner was the only one who
shook hands with Jim, but he sensed
in the little, black-eyed Irishwoman
the real commander of the expedition
against him-for such he knew 1t to
be.
"YOu may think it strange of us
coming after hours" said she, 'but
we wanted to speak to you, teacher,
without the children here"
II wish more Of the parents would