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Show THE DIXIE NEWS THE DIXIE NEWS the by Published students of the Dixie College. semi-month- ly Juanita Davis Effie Gardner Eldon Larson Karl Savage Clinton Snow Business Mgr Exchange Editor Typist Special Reporters (Ezra Tobler Minnie Paxman Verna Cox Vera Harmon Karl Starr Harmon Verna Ida Seegmiller : Vernon Church Club Reporter LaFell Iverson Class Reporter Leatha Taylor EDITORIAL The prize story was accidently omitted from the last issue of the The opportunity is taken to News. in this issue. The story is it publish lifelike and appealing. Students of the English C collected and reported most of the items in this issue. It was a material assistance to the News Staff. SCHEDULE FOR WEEKLY PROGRAMS The program committee has ar- ranged that the Friday programs be given by the various classes and organizations. Individuality and talent are certain to be displayed. The schedule is as follows: Fourth years Jan. 18 Student body Jan. 25 Third years Feb. 1 Scout class Feb. 8 Feb. 12 Faculty Second years Feb. 15 Oratorical contest Feb. 22 Amitia Club Feb. 29 DIXIE COLLEGE TO UNDERGO IMPROVEMENTS If possible extensive improvements will be made on the grounds and buildings of the Dixie College during the present year, pending the reciev-in- g of appropriations for the spring quarter by the school. The following improvements are anticipated: An excellent agricultural labara-tor- y will be added for the furthering of Dixies foremost occupation. The school library will be enlarged as rapidly as possible; several sets of books having already been ordered and others recently received. Plans have been laid for the construction of a school stage, which, will enable the students to put on class plays in the college building. The entire building will be given a coat of paint, inside and out. Lockers for students of the Physical Education department will be obtained if financial conditions permit. The campus will be improved if water can be obtained from the city. ' Your Father and Mother cant educate you, they can only open the gate and say, Sick 'em Tige. Dont wait to be thanked; on to avoid the kicks. twenty-thre- e, teacher sat at her hands. in her buried face desk, her Mary Graham Editor Laura Lane, of the Echo Valley school, editorial staff Asst. Editor Asst. Editor Miss Lane Finds the W ay hurry She had had another trying day; in fact, almost every day was the same. The only days that seemed successful were those when Tom Norton was absent, and those days were few. To Miss Lane it seemed as though he liked to come to school jnerely to make her life miserable. Tom was a tall slender lad of fifteen, the only pupil in the eighth grade, and the oldest of a family of seven children. Mr. Norton died when Tom was twelve years old; and, since that time, Tom and his mother had tried to make a living off the little farm. Tom had disliked Miss Lane the moment she stepped off the train. When his mother asked why, he had answered, I gess I can tell the first time I see a person, whether I like 'em or not. Didnt you see how she acted when we all went down to meet her when she came? She just kinda sneered at us, like we wasnt good enough for her. All she knows is books. Why Ill bet she never washed a batch of dishShed hurt those es in her life. pretty little hands of hers if she done anything. Aw, I aint got no use for city girls, and she dont need to think she can get around me with her pretty ways, either. Miss Lane had tried to win the respect and love of the children, and she knew that if she could get Tom to like her, the rest would be easy; for Tom, she had soon learned, being the oldest hoy in school, was the leader. Whatever Tom liked, the other children liked. Tom was their ideal. It was surprising, she thought, that one boy should have such an influence on a whole school. She had tried every means she could think of to win Toms respect, but she had always met with failure; she felt as though she were failing in all her school work. As she sat there in this despondent mood, she wondered why she had come to such a place; merely a foolish notion, she told herself. She had wanted a change and a place where she would get lots of experience, she had told the superintendent. She had the change, and as for experience, she was getting more than she had anticipated. She had been used to going to parties and dances, but in Echo Valley such things were very rare. There were only four families living in the valley, and their farms were so widely separated that even neighborly visits were few. To Miss Lane the people seemed very narrow minded, and they had such queer ideas. She had visited each family once, but she- had never cared to go again. She hated them; she hated the little white school house; she hated the valley; and she hated herself for going there. Suddenly the whistle of train Number Four broke the stillness, and Miss Lane walked to the window to watch the many coaches pass. She felt that this train, which went by every evening at six oclock, was the only connection between her and the outside world. She smiled as she thought of the morrow. She was going home, and that train was going at to carry her there. six, Mr. Nelson would flag the train for her; Sunday evening she would be home home for the Christmas holidays; and she would not come back. She would write to the superintendent tonight, telling him he must find another teacher. But no, that would never do. She would She would come not be a quitter. back and, somehow, someway, she would make Tom like her; then her work would be much easier and more pleasant. Her reverie Oh, Miss Lane! was rudely interrupted by Willie Norton, age twelve, who, excited and breathless, rushed to her side. Mas awful sick. Oh, Miss Lane! Took down right sudden. Tom sent me for help. I thought maybe youd be here, and youre the nearest, and we gotta get somebody quick. Wont Please. you come, Miss Lane? and Yes. I will come, Willie, hastily putting on her wraps, she climbed into the old buckboard beside Willie. It was dark long before they reached the Norton farm. Tom opened the door for them as Miss Lane entered, he frowned. Mas in there, said Willie, pointing toward an open door. As Miss Lane passed into the sick roopi, she heard Tom scolding his brother. What the deuce made you bring her. Donttcha know she cant do anything. Why, ma might die. As she leaned over the sick woman, Miss Lane was thankful for the years training she had had in home nursing. Presently, satisfied that she had properly diagnosed the case, she turned to Tom, who had come into the room and now stood watching her. Tom, your mother has Please see that the children are put to bed; then come and help me. I know a little something about caring for the sick; and, with your help, Ill see what I can do for your mother. We will send for a doctor as soon as possible; but it will be several days before one can get here, so we must do all we can. Tom said nothing; but began to carry out her instructions.. All that night, and until late the next afternoon, Miss Lane worked; and Tom helped her, obeying all orders willingly. She heard the far off whistle of the train as it rushed through the valley; but she knew, she would not be home for Christmas. The doctor had not come, and Willie and Clarence had gone for aid to every home in the valley; but, since two of the women had gone to Newton, and Mrs. Nelsons baby was ill, no help could be obtained. Mrs. Norton was somewhat bettey but Miss Lane could not think of leaving her yet. Monday morning, snow began to fall; and, by noon, the ground was white. Tessie, age eight; the twins, who had just entered upon their first year at school; and Baby George, age Is It Desirable? three, had been playing near the Student in Methods: The bread kitchen fire. But, now, Tessie and and butter aim of education is to the twins were arguing. As Miss earn a lively hood. Lar.Hi came into the kitchen, the penu-moni- a. twins cried, Santa Claus will come wont he, Miss Lane? tonight, Theres lots of snow, and his reindeer can just come a flying. Tessie said he wouldnt, Cause Mamas sick. Doesnt Santa Claus come every year? asked Miss Lane as she sat on a stool and took Baby George on her lap. Yes, he comes most every year, Tessie explained, but mama says he always comes here last, and so he doesnt have very much of anything left, I wish he would come here first, just once. Id like a doll; Ive never had one. Wed like dolls, too, chorused the twins. Me doll, too cried Baby George, clapping his chubby hands. Miss Lane sat for a moment thinking; then, putting the baby on the floor, she hurried to the woodshed where she found Tom. Tom, the children are so anxious for Santa to come. Will you help me make their Christmas a happy one? For a moment Mum. we aint, havtheir eyes met, ent got nothing for em. I You go over to Nelsons and get that large suitcase of mine. Mrs. Nelson will know where to find it; and on the way back cut a small pine tree. Youll have to hurry or youll be late getting back. But words failed Dye mean him, and he started on his errand. The children were fast asleep when Tom returned. The tree was brought into the kitchen; and Tom popped and strung corn for trimmings, while Miss Lane arranged the gifts that should have gone to her loved ones at home. Ill write to the folks and explain They things, she said to herself. wont mind, and these poor children will be made so happy. It's a lucky thing I have been handy with my knitting needles this winder. These socks and this muffler of fathers will go to Tom. This shawl of mothers will help keep Mrs. Norton warm. These two sweaters, I knit for Don and Bert, will do for Willie and Clarence, though they will be rather large. Claras children will have to go without their dolls from Aunt Laura; for Tessie and the twins are Baby going to be their mothers. is going to receive Bobbies teddy bear. There, thats the last, She said aloud as she placed the little brown bear on the tree. Ill make some candy and then well be through. Later, as they stood surveying their work with an air of satisfaction, Tom, boyishly trying to keep back the tears, said, Gosh, Miss Lane, youre a brick. I I I mean were sure goin to have a real Christmas, after all. I didnt like you cause cause I thought you was stuck up and I didnt think you could do anything but read books. Im ashamed of the way Ive acted, and the things I said n done. Why, Miss Lane youre a a a corker. Ill do anything for you, anytime. Miss Lane was very tired, but she was also very happy. She went into the next room and found Mrs. Norton quietly sleeping, and, as she crept into her bed for a few hours of much needed rest, she breathed this fervent prayer, Father, I thank thee for showing me the way. Y-y- ut |