The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-10-04
CHAPTER XII.
The Colonel Takes the Field.

ulOuSDt dllcr Ills rtDull ny tHC eau
cusing members of the school board.
II don't see," said q voice over
against the cooking exhibit, what
there is in this to set people talking.
Buttonholesl Cookies! Humph! ]"
1t was Mrs. Bonner who had clearly
come to scon. With her was Mrs.
Bronson, whose attitude was that of
a person torn between conflicting in
luences. Her husband had indicated
to the crafty Bonner and the subtle
Peterson that he was still loyal to the
school board, but while consorting
with the censorious Mrs. Bonner she
evinced r~estiveness when the school
and its work was condemned. Was not
her Newton in charge of q part of this
show? Was he not an open and de-
faint champion of Jim Irwin, and a
constant and enthusiastic attendant
upon, not only his classes. but q vari-
ETY. of evening and Saturday affairs7
And had not Newton become a better
boy-a wonderfully better boy?
Mrs. Bronson's heart was filed with
resentment that she also could not be
enrolled among Jim TWINS supporters.
And when Mrs. Bonner sneered at the
buttonhOles and cookies, Mrs. Bronson,
knowing how the little fingers had
puzzled themselves over the one, and
young faces had become loury and red
over the other, fared up a little.
"And / don't see,'' said she, ANY
thing to laugh at. I'd like to help
them"
Mrs. Bonner was far too good a
diplomat to be cornered In the same
enclosure with a rupture of relations.
"And quite right, too" said she.
'"The little things ought to be helped
at home and by their mothers"
"Well," said Mrs. Bronson, take
them Simms girls, now. They have to
have help outside their home"
YES" agreed Mrs. Bonner, "and a
lot more help than a farmland can
give 'em in school. | shouldn't wonder
II there was 4 lot we don't know about
why they come north"
"As for that" replied Mrs. Bron-
son, 81 don't know as it's any Of my
business SO long as they behave them
selves"
Again Mrs. Bonner felt the situa-
ton getting out of hand.
"Ain't 1t some of our businessY'
she queried. II wonder now! BY the
way Newtie keeps his eye on that
Simms girl, l shouldn't wonder Ii 1t
might turn out your business"
Hpchowf -, cooffad LGrc prnpcop
Puppy Lowell"
you can't tell how far It'll CO." per-
sisted Mrs. Bonner. II tell you these
schools are getting to be nothing more
than sparkin' bees, from the county
superintendent down"
"Well, maybe" said Mrs. Bronson,
but 1 don't see sparkin' in everything
boys and girls do as quick as some"
81 wonder" said Mrs. Bonner, 'if
Colonel Woodruff would be as friendly
to Jim Irwin IL he knew that every
body says Jennie decided he was TO
keep his certif-kit because she want
him to get along in the world, so he
can marry herr"
81 don't know as she is so very
friendly to him." replied Mrs. Bron-
son and Jim and Jennie are both of
age, you know"
Yes, but how about our schools
bein' ruined by a love AFFAIR."" interro-
gated Mrs. Bonner, as they moved
away. Amt that your business and
mine?'
Instead of desiring further knowl-
edge of what they were discussing,
Jim felt a dreadful disgust at the
whole thing. Jennie was against him,
he believed, and as for her being in
love with him-to hear these women
discuss it was intolerable. He felt his
face redden as at the hearing of some
horrible indecency. And while he was
raging inwardly, paying the penalty OF
a publicity to which he was not yet
hardened, he heard other voices. Pro.
fessor Withers, County Superintendent
making an inspection of the rural
school exhibit.
Il hear he has been having some
trouble with his school board" the
professor was saying.
eyes," said Jennie, "he has. Pro
ceedings before me to revoke his Ger.
tifcate."
ION what grounds?"
"Incompetency," answered Jennie.
II found that his pupils were really
going very well in the regular course
of study-which he seems to be neg.
Letting"
I'm glad you supported him." said
the professor. I'm glad to find you
helping him"
Really" protested Jennie, a" don't
think myself"
what do you think of his %notionsT
asked the colonel.
Very advanced" replied Professor
Withers, where did he imbibe then
all?"
He's a Brown Mouse" said the col
onel. "A phenomenon In heredity-per
haps a genius"