Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-07-24
Why Sylvia Tried
to Please
By HELEN r. BARTON
q by Mcclure Newspaper Syndlcate.l
(WNJT Seryicel

Nc) by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.l
tWNU Service.)
NYLVIA gazed with stormy eyes at
~ the tiny slip Of paper that she had
taken from the envelope For such a
small slip of paper, it contained
enough to merit the stormy express
sion, and also the furious rebellion
in Sylvia's heart For with the brutal
ability of most printed slips, this par
ticular one Informed the teacher of
No. district school that school
must be kept with full attendance
all day on May 7, And May was the
day the greatest OF all avlators was
to speak at banquet and open air
celebration at Wilson recreation
grounds; free tickets had been issued
all the schools, but due to prolonged
loss of time owing to a stubborn cpl.
demlc Of measles, the principal felt II
wise for all the members of No. 4
to keep full attendance and grind
away at make-upi
"If that's education" muttered the
lovely Miss Randall. "then Pm going
to grow me pig-ta'l and learn to
write laundry in Chinese AS II any
more book learning could make up
for the few pearly words of wisdom
Colonel Strombergh will speak"
And as the children were enjoying
their mid-mOrning recess out of door.
Sylvia bowed her lovely head on her
folded arms and frankly wept. Teach
fnn yroc cnah fhOnlrlAcc iOh of host
all kicks and few kisses. But to have
to sacrifice this opportunity of life
time to see and hear the greatest his
tOrical character of our era was ask
ing a good deal too much Of the teach
ing profession!
81 beg your pardon" interrupted
fine masculine baritone, "but is this
No. 4 district school?
Sylvia lifted tear-drenched eyes to
the concerned, worried gaze of too
thin, too tall young man Of serious
expression, and the reddest hair, bar
none, that she had ever seen.
"Yes. this is No. A. WhyT" STAN
mered Sylvia, acutely conscious of
her shiny nose, red eyes and tear
streaked face.
"Why-ah-er, you see, I'm the new
principal of this district. was sum-
moned hastily this morning, due to
the Illness of Mr.. Farrell"
"We're so far behind in our SEIZED
ule that we may have to keep few
weeks longer at the end of the year."
began Sylvia flushing slightly under
the tall young mans earnest scrutiny.
"Why, think you've done won
ders. You've had no end Of hard
luck according to these reports. Do
you mind If stay and see how the
kids get along? I won't disturb you"
II am delighted to lave anyone so
interested in the school. Do please
stay and make yourself comfortable"
urged Sylvia. and as the afternoon
progressed she forgot, quite, the IN
happy cause of her woe earlier In the
day. In fact she was so interested
in the business of having No. 4 school
shine in the eyes of the new principal
that II Is doubtful If she you'd have
even understood the name StrOmbergh
had 1t been spoken to her.
From time to time Gene Hender
son, the new principal, would make
low voiced remark or comment,
and II amazed Sylvia that mere
man should have such clear
knowledge OF school teaching and
child psychology. as this strange,
quiet man had.
"Ifs easy to see," smiled the tall
young man after school had been dis
missed, that the children love you,
Miss Randall. One simply could not
achieve such wonders unless the chill
dren were enthusiastic and made
every effort to pleased"
"Do you think that is sign Of
affectiOn-a desire to pleaseW asked
Sylvia in muffled voice.
"But certainly! That's an ele-
mental step In psychology. We al
ways try to please those whom we
lover quickly answered Gene, ey.
ing with approval the creamy line
of Sylvia's neck, where II merged
with the dark fun Of her blue-black
hair.
And Sylvia was strangely silent 3
she walked slowly along beside the
new principal, as they made their
thoughtful way tc her boarding house
after school closed She was think
ing with shy sort Of panic that her
first instinct had been to please this
tall, serious new principal and Ger
ag,,1, ebn hn nttfHnna hnFgnIf all
day trying TO make her school seem
It's best
"Are we going to go to the picnic
for Colonel Strombergh. Miss Ran.
dall?" was the question asked her
% times the following day, and each
time Sylyla's heart went bit lower
as she explained the reason why they
must stay and work.
Her lunch Of egg salad sand.
witches. cookies and milk went
down slowly as she thought about
all the various angles Of teaching
especially the business Of en-
forcing commands issued by others
And she was again rebelllous as the
dr0ne Of big motor came waiting
over the still air. II was, she de
clded. the squad Of alrplanes that
were to be the feature Of the day.
Sylvia looked out and cav. not an air.
plane, but huge vanllke truck bear.
ing down upon the No. school,
Sylvia caught her breath as she
noted the flaming thatch Of hair Of
the grlnnIng driver. II was Genet
"Hop In, kids; we're going TO the
picnic before that Ice cream gets eat
enl" and Sylvia knew ut last why
she had tried to please hlm-n0 doubt
OF III