Walter Sherwood's Probation

“I invited the horse thief to come and make us a visit.”

Mrs. Owen certainly was amazed.

“You did!” she ejaculated. “When is he coming?”

“He is here already.”

“I don’t understand you at all, Richard. You seem to be joking.”

“Not at all! There he stands!” and the colonel pointed to Walter.

“What, Walter?”

“Perhaps I had better go to the hotel,” suggested Walter.

“No, no! I can’t believe anything evil of a young man with your face,” said Mrs. Owen. “I am glad my husband brought you home with him.”

“I am sure you will both be kind to me,” said Walter earnestly, “and I shall appreciate it the more because I have neither father nor mother.”

One afternoon Colonel Owen came in radiant.

“Well, Walter,” he said, “I’ve got some work for you to do.”

“Mr. Hayward, the teacher of our classical school, is summoned to his home. The question is, Who shall take his place till the end of the school year?

“I have mentioned your name to the trustees, who are ready to accept you on my recommendation.”

“There is nothing I should like better,” he said, “but do you think I am competent?”

“You ought to be able to teach any of the classes that will come under your charge. How are you in mathematics?”

“I don’t think I shall have any difficulty there, sir.”

“Then you’re better off than I am.”

“How much salary shall I receive?” asked Walter, who was beginning to grow interested.

“Twenty-five dollars a week. That’s what the trustees authorize me to offer you.”

“That will be quite satisfactory. How my old chums will stare when I tell them I am getting twenty-five dollars a week for teaching a classical school. I suppose,” added Walter, hesitating, “I ought to look out for a boarding-place.”

“What, and leave us?” asked the old lady reproachfully.

“But, Colonel Owen, remember that I shall be earning a good salary.”

“You can find a use for it. It will help make up for some of the losses you have incurred. Shall I say you will accept the post?”

“Yes, sir. I will try it, and hope to succeed.”

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE NEW MASTER

On the platform of the main schoolroom in the Shelby Classical Institute stood Colonel Owen and Walter Sherwood.

“My young friends,” began Colonel Owen, “you are all aware that your respected teacher, Mr. Haywood, is obliged to be absent for the remainder of the term. I have been able to secure as his substitute Mr. Walter Sherwood, who will do his best to carry on the work which Mr. Haywood has so auspiciously commenced. I hope you will receive him cordially and uphold him in his task.”

Walter felt some diffidence as he realized what a responsibility had been placed upon him.

He cleared his throat and spoke a few words.

“Colonel Owen has introduced me to you and expressed a hope in which I join him—that you will receive me cordially and uphold me in my work. I will now go about among the seats, make inquiries as to your progress, and arrange the classes.”

This short speech made a favorable impression upon all the pupils with two exceptions. These were the largest scholars—Ben Buffum and Enoch Snow. What they thought of Walter may be gathered from their conversation as they walked home together.

“What do you think of the new master, Ben?” said Enoch.

“I s’pose he’ll do. He ought to, if he’s been to college; but I’ll tell you what, Enoch, it riles me to have a boy of my own age set over me.”

“Me ditto!”

“He would do for a primary school, but when it comes to young men like us, I don’t like to let people know that he’s my teacher.”

“It’s all right for the others to obey him, but you and I are just as strong as he, and maybe stronger.”

“I guess I could floor him in wrestling.”

“You’re too much for me, Ben, and I think I can stand up to him, and maybe lick him.”

“It’s likely you can. Now, there was Hayward—he was a big man. I didn’t mind obeying him.”

“Are you talking about Mr. Sherwood?” asked Harry Howe, a boy of fourteen.

“No, I’m not. I’m talking about Mr. Hayward.”

“How do you like the new teacher?”

“He’s only a boy. He’ll have a hard row to hoe.”

“Who’ll make it hard for him?”

“Enoch and I.”

“Then it will be a shame. He seems to be a perfect gentleman.”

“Gentleman! He’s only a boy, like ourselves.”

“At any rate, he knows enough to teach us.”