Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1934-10-20

a nave always uQgt1FE0 NM IA tfAtz
\ and studied hard Besides. I ike "a
have better reports than Billy and
Auriei have They are my dearest
friends and naturally can't let them
\ get ahead OF me IN anything. SO I
Kept my mind on my studies most Of
the time, but under Il al I was think
ing Of Daddy and how could marry
him Off. For Of course I had realized.
even while Muriels' and Billy's mothers
were talking, that was the person who
would have to attend 70 the matter
am not one to turn aside when duty
stands Ia my path. walk right up to
her and take her cold hand. I knew
must find some nice woman for Dad
dy to marry. But how? That. as Ham
let said when he was up against 1t, too,
was the question.
There were two things % do. First,
had to select the right wife for Daddy.
Then had to bring her and Daddy TO-
gether and see that they fen IN love.
It was not on Monday that the way
came 10 me. II wasn't on Tuesday or
wednesday or Thursday, either Mon
day or Tuesday Cicero was simply aw-
ful. and Wednesday Miss Spencer an
nounced ia class that every pupil must
read the Merchant Of Venice that week
and learn Portals speech by heart and
write little paper telling what she
thought Of It. Not what Portia thought
OF it, c4 course, but what every one Of
us thought.
That kept our thoughts pretty busy,
and If any stranger came into our fair
city Of Freeport that week, and walked
down Park Street, he would have heard
the first line Of Portals speech coming
out Of almost every open window. ~The |
quality Of mercy Is not strained" We
all knew that much, but few indeed OF
the students knew more. I knew the |
whole speech. Billy and Muriel knew
about half Of It, with prDmptings. We
talked about 1t while we were going 1
home In the trolley about two Never
win tell any gr0wn-up what Billy and
Muriel think OF Shakespeare. I'd be
ashamed to-for after all Shakespeare
did have talent.
So il was Friday before found the
right wife for Daddy. It was during an
English period, and It came 10 me just
ike the gentle rain from heaven, that
Muriel Jackson was reciting about at
the moment. was staring at Miss
Spencer, who was looking patient and
as she does when any one is
reciting Shakespeare.
I had only been IN Miss Spencer's
class a few weeks, but / liked her aw-
bully. She is old, Of course-as old as
Daddy, should think; but she smiles
and laughs almost as much as he does
she has lovely complexion and gray
Eyes and wavy brown hair. She's really
! celestial being and wondered why
hadn't thought Of her before.
afcst o. the girls are crazy about her.
Her dresses are simply devastating
rney say she buys them in New York.
Most of our other teachers look as If
heir dresses had dropped on them by
accident in the morning, so 1t Is indeed ]
! pleasure to look at Miss Spencer's
;lothes The vase on her desk Is always (
alIl Of flowers the girls bring her. and !
wen the boys made. excuses to hang {
around and ask her questions ct recess. J
Ny face grew hot with shame when |
ealized how slow had been 10 getting
Iround to seeing that Miss Spencer
would be the perfect wife for Daddy.
ihe was some one I liked, too, and that ]
vas terribly important realized now !
hat the reason hadn't thought Of any
ne sooner was that all the women s
lad thought Of were women simply
ouldn't bear to have around the house.
can truly say that no grass grew un-
er my feet while I was treading the
ath Of duty. went right up to Miss .
pencers desk when we were dismissed 4
nd asked her to come to supper that
igiat. She was so surprised that she q
Ist stared at me. She said slowly, 9
Why, Miss Drew, Is there any special \
sason why you want me TO Gomez"
She calls every one Of her girls Miss" =
course, when she remembers it,.
/ said right away that there was but
nat couldn't tell her what it was. J.