UNIVERSITY OF OREGON MONTHLY
27
laughter from the larger ones, two of'whom were threatened with
application of the hazel switches.
There was no further cause for laughter until, when the class
in primary geography* was' reciting,''I called for volunteers to the
question, “What are the four seasons of the year?” One little boy
almost fell off his seat in excitement to answer, “spring, summer,
hop-pickin’ and w inter!” The laughter which greeted this, was
hushed by the hurried entrance of a woman in a sun-bonnet, who
exclaimed:
“Hannah.! Benjamin! git yer things on quick and come right
home with me. The Beavert family has took down with the small
pox and it’s mighty contagious and catchin’!” At this announce
ment, the excitement in the school-room was so great as to cause
a stampede. Without waiting for dismissal, the children rushed
for their hats and dinner-pails, all trying to avoid proximity with
two children who huddled together- in a corner of the room—John
and Frances Beavert; '
.
•
The directors also started unceremoniously for the door, the
chairman only apologizing for their . hurried departure by saying:
“Beg. pardon, Miss, but we’ll see you again sometime tomorrow
at yo’u r boardin’ place.”
Thus, in less than two minutes, I sat alone, with just the empty
desks before me and no sound to break the'strange stillness save
the tick of the old clock ^pd the fast vanishing murmur of my first
school-children.
—F. M. B.
A Conundrum
A craft» With lines as dealt and sharp
A«; any string of lyre or harp;'
Propelled by blades of straightest grain
Yet rarely wet by dew or rain;
’’
Much sought‘in spring by day Or night,.
' ‘ In su m m er'o n ly at twilight.
! With all these facts to make a clue
/ w- Can ..you- not guess? ! ’T is a canoe.
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