Year: 1878

A schOOlmistress had been engaged in
place of the outgoing master, who had
been called to professors chair att
University.


She was to be in the little old school
house on the first Monday in May.


There had been some difference Of
opinion among the people, one party
wishing for gentleman, the other from
motives Of economy, preferring lady
teacher. The latter faction had carried
the day.


School opened with a full attendance.
One class consisted Of lads whose ages
ranged from sixteen to twenty. They had
been much attached to Mr. Osborne, and
the idea OF seeing a lady in his place was
SO distasteful to them that they had
formed league among themselves to
make the place, as they said, ''too hot'
for her.


Taken singly, each woul have been
ashamed to annoy a woman, bnt one had
urged another on until their views seem
ed right and justifable.


Miss Brown was in happy Ignorance Of
this unpleasant feeling, as she was a
stranger in the place. An Old friend had
heard Of the position, and, knowing her
to be in search Of one, had advised her to
apply for it.


The school-house boasted but one room
A platform ran across the end on it stood
desk, with bible, pen, and ferule,
in close proximity to each other.


Of the two rows of seats ranged along
the sides, those nearest the entrance were
reserved for the older scholars, as they
were provided with desks; the others be-
ing without that convenience, were occu-
pied by the primary class.


Between these benches, filled With chill
dren, watching her entrance with eager,
curious eyes, lay Miss Browns pathway
to her desk.


AS she came in, there were looks, first
of surprise, then of amusement.


She was SO petite, with a round, childish
face which flushed slightly as she saw
the formidable class OF boys, all taller
some older than herself.


For a moment she was conscious Of q
feeling of dismay; but oown deep in he,
heart lurked trust in the innate noble
ness of the manly nature, and of its chiv.
alrous respect for woman, so she soon raj
lied hcrcourage.


Turning as she reached the platform
she said pleasantly:


II am glad to see 50 many bright
young faces here this morning. Our pur
pose is the same--to work. I to teact
you to learn. shall give you very few
rules, so their will be no temptation Il
break them, and hope that the end o.
the season will find our school one to be
proud of. Let US begin by saying th,
Lords prayer"


The fresh, young voice had charm
peculiarly its own. She was SO girlisl
looking, it filled the scholars with sur
prise to hear her address them with sucl
quiet dignity. a chapter from the Bibl
followed the prayer. Then she said:


"The older pupils will please take tn
books they have been accustomed to use
classes as soon as have time to examin
all, but 1t will be slow work. feel sur
that you will aid me in my duties b
being as quiet as possible until we get in
to smooth, working order. First, I vii
give the little ones an exercise"


She went to the blackboard, gave
few bold, free strokes with some colere
crayons sne had brought, and lo a chill
stood out in fine relief. Smiling at tn
chidren's delighted faces, she told them
brief but engrossing story about the tw,
holding attention from first to last, the
printed some short explanatory wore
underneath her sketch for them to sa
over in concert until memorized.


There, children, that is your fir
lesson in reading and spelling. Now $
down. You shall have states and penci
to COPY


Just then large spit-ball whizzed pas
escaping her cheek, and lodging OH Il
blackboard. She glanced around
search Of the sender, whose look of pr
ternatural innocence at once betraye
him.


'sThe boy who is studying SO very il
dustriously may come to me.'


A pair of merry bright eyes glanced l
from his book. Their owner saw he WI
found out, and looking rather shame face
went forward, amid a subdued giggle fro
the rest of the scholars.


'sWhat is yous name?-JackY We