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Show i tank not, replied Peterson. 1 Thank you, said the Ames man. 'There's a small honorarium attached, tank he was yust interested in how son; and Jim and Jennie are both of uinAND iw t It flaatcotl,an replied Jtonnar, decision. I think wasnt botlier yon to take careex-of Bile's stuck: on the guy. The caucus broke up after making 'hut if youre not too travagant ft will pay your expenses sure that the three members of the fieri et rM won't it itHaiti he, f and give you a few dollars over. Jim breathed more freely. An honorarium was paid to the person receiving the honor, then. What a relief I All right, he exclaimed. Ill be glad to come! Lets consider that, settled, said the professor. And now I must be going back to the opera-housMy talk on soil sickness comes next. I tell you, the winter wheat crop has been But Jim was not able to think much of the winter wheat problem as they went back to the auditorium. lie was worth the appreciation of a college professor, trained to think on the very matters Jim had been so long mulling over In isolation ami blindness I Culista Simms thought she saw about something shining and saint-likthe comely face of her teacher as he came to her at her post in the room La which the school exhibit was held. Rll-rlg'- lit school board would be as one man In maintaining a hostile front to Jim Irwin and his tenure of office. It looked rather like a foregone conclusion, in a little district wherein there were scarcely twenty-fiv- e votes. The three members of the board with their Immediate friends and dependent could muster two or three ballots each and who was there to oppose them? e. CHAPTER XIII The Colonel Takes the Field. Jim stood apart and alone with his thoughts after his rebuff by the caucusing members of the school board. L dont see, said a voice over against the cooking exhibit, what there is in this to set people talking. Buttonholes I Cookies ! Humph It was Mrs. Bonner who had clearly come to scoff. With her was Mrs. Bronson, whose attitude was that of a person torn between conflicting influences. Iler 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 tills show? Wus he not an open and defiant champion of Jim Irwin, and a constant and enthusiastic attendant upon, not only Ids classes, but a variety of evening and Saturday affairs? And had not Newton become a better boy a wonderfully better boy? Mrs. Bronsons heart was filled with resentment that she also could not be enrolled among Jim Irwins supporters. And when Mrs. Bonner sneered at the Cvne and fell Us About Those buttonholes and cookies. Mrs. Bronson, knowing how the little fingers had Things. puzzled themselves over the one, and Culista was !n charge of the little chil- young faces had become floury and red dren whose work whs to be demon- over the other, flared up a little. And I dont see, said she, anystrated that day, and was in u state of exaltation to which her starved be- thing to laugh at. Id like to help ing had hitherto been a stranger. Per- them. Mrs. Bonner was far too good a haps tin' re was something similar in her condition of fervent happiness to diplomat to be cornered In the same that of Jim. She, too, was doing some- enclosure with u rupture of relations. And quite right, too, said she. thing outside the sordid life of the Simms cabin. She yearned over the The lift tv things ought to be helped at home and by their mothers." children in her cure, and would have been glad to die for them and besides Well, said Mrs. Bronson, take wus not Newton Bronson In charge of them Simms girls, now. They have to the corn exhibit, and a member of the have help outside their heme. team? Yes," agreed Mrs. Bonner, and a To the eyes of the town girls who lot more help than a farm-han- d can passed about among the exhibits, she give em in school. I shouldnt wonder was poorly dressed; but if they could if there was a lot we dout know about have seen the clothes she had worn on why they come north. As for that, replied Mrs. Bronthat evening when Jim Irwin first called at their cabin they could son, I dont know as its any of my have understood the sense of business so long as they behave and happiness In Callstas e ! corn-judgin- g po-ha- veil-bein- g ps in lier tteirt re belioved. women love with h innnefto hear these discuss it was intolerable, lie felt ills 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. Professor Withers, County Superintendent Jennie and Colonel Woodruff were making an inspection of the rural-schoexhibit. "I hear he has been having some trouble with his school board," the professor was saying. Yes," said Jennie, he has. Proceedings before me to revoke his certificate. On what grounds? answered Jennie. Incompetency, I found that his pupils were really going very well In the regular course of study which he seems to be neglecting. Im glad you supported him, said the professor. Im glad to find you helping him. Really, protested Jennie, I dont think myself What do you think of his notions? asked the colonel. Very advanced, replied Professor Withers, Where did he imbibe them all?" Hes a Brown Mouse, said the colonel. A phenomenon in heredity perhaps a genius. Ah, I see, replied the professor, a Meudelian segregation, you mean? The Certainly, said the colonel. sort of mind that imbibes things from itself. i, 1 ol Well, hes rather womfwful, de- clared the professor. I had him to lunch today. He surprised me. I have Invited him to make an address at Ames next winter during fanners week. He? Jennies tone showed her astonishment. Jim the underling. Jim the off ox. Jim the thorn In the county superintendents side. Jim the country teacher It was stupefying. Oil, you mustnt judge him by his looks," said the professor. I really do hope hell take some advice on the matter of clothes put on a cravat and a different shirt and collar when he comes to Ames but I have no doubt he will. He hasnt nny other, said the colonel. Well, it won't signify, If he has the truth to tell us, said the professor. Has he? asked Jennie. ! (TO BE CONTINUED.) During the Discussion. Bah, you have no religion. Yes, I have a reMgion, but I dont get mad over It." Looking back to the happiest days, one remembers that quite frequently it was only part of a day. MICK1E, THE PRINTER'S DEVIL Our Little Say |