The Glenwood post., 1923-11-08
CHAPTER XIII
The Colonel Takes the Field.

cuSlng members of the school board.
81 don't see," said voice over
against the cooking exhibit what
there is in this to set people talking
Buttonholes! Cookies! Humph!
1t was Mrs. Bonner who had clearly
come to scoff. With her was Mrs.
Bronson, whose attitude was that of
person torn between conflicting in
fluences. 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 restiveness when the school
and its work was condemned. Was not
her Newton in charge of a part of this
show? Was he not an open and de-
fiant champion of Jim Irwin, and a
constant and enthusiastic attendant
upon, not only his classes. but a vari-
ETY. Of evening and Saturday affairs?
And had not Newton become better
boy-a wonderfully better boy?
Mrs. Bronsons heart was filled with
resentment that she also could not be
enrolled among Jim Irwin's 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 foury and red
over the other, tIared up a little
"And I don't see" said she, "any-
thing to laugh ut. I'd like to help
them"
Mrs. Bonner was fer too good
diplomat to be ccrnered 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
lot more help than Farmland can
give 'em in school. l shouldn't wonder
If there was 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 business ?"
she queried 81 wonder now! BY the
way Newtie keeps his eye on that
Simms girl, l shouldn't wonder If 1t
might turn out your business"
"Pshaw" scoffed Mrs. Bronson.
Puppy lover
you can't tell how far it'll CO." per-
sisted Mrs. Bonner. 81 tell you these
schools are getting to be nothing more
than sparkin' bees, from the county
superintendent down"
well maybe" said Mrs. Bronson,
but 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 If he knew that every-
body says Jennie decided he was to
keep his certif-klt because she wants
him to get along in the world, so he
can marry herr"
Il 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 II love affalr?" interro-
gated Mrs. Bonner, as they moved
away. "Ain't that your business and
mineT
instead of desiring further knowl-
edge of what they were discussing.
Jim felt dreadful disgust at the
whole thing. Jennie was against him.
he believed, and as for her being in
love with hlm-to hear these women
discuss 1t 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 Wlthers, County Superintendent
Jennie and Colonel Woodruff were
making an inspection of the rural
school exhibit.
u henr he has been having some
trouble with his school board" the
professor was saying.
LES, sulu Jennie, ne has, Pro-
ceedlngs before me to revoke his GER
tificate.".
"On what groundsi"
"lncompetency, answered Jennie.
Il found that his pupils were really
going very well in the regular course
OF study-whlch he seems to be neg
lecting."
Tin glad you supported him." said
the professor. "pm glad to find you
helping him."
Really" protested Jennie, "I don't
think myself"
what do you think Of his notionsr'
asked the colonel.
very advanced" replied Professor
Withers. where did he lmbibe them
nll?"
Hes Brown Mouse" said the col
onel. "a phenomenon In heredity-per-
haps a genius"
"Ah, I see," replied the professor, "a
Mendellan segregation. you mean?"