The Brown Mouse Part 12

"Jennie," said he, "when a thing won't work, it isn't correct in theory."

"Well, then, Jim," said she, "why do you keep on with it?"

"It works," said Jim. "Anything that's correct in theory will work. If the theory seems correct, and yet won't work, it's because something is wrong in an unsuspected way with the theory. But my theory is correct, and it works."

"But the district is against it."

"Who are the district?"

"The school board are against it."

"The school board elected me after listening to an explanation of my theories as to the new sort of rural school in which I believe. I a.s.sume that they commissioned me to carry out my ideas."

"Oh, Jim!" cried Jennie. "That's sophistry! They all voted for you so you wouldn't be without support. Each wanted you to have just one vote. n.o.body wanted you elected. They were all surprised. You know that!"

"They stood by and saw the contract signed," said Jim, "and--yes, Jennie, I _am_ dealing in sophistry! I got the school by a sort of sh.e.l.l-game, which the board worked on themselves. But that doesn't prove that the district is against me. I believe the people are for me, now, Jennie. I really do!"

Jennie rose and walked to the rear of the room and back, twice. When she spoke, there was decision in her tone--and Jim felt that it was hostile decision.

"As an officer," she said rather grandly, "my relations with the district are with the school board on the one hand, and with your competency as a teacher on the other."

"Has it come to that?" asked Jim. "Well, I have rather expected it."

His tone was weary. The Lincolnian droop in his great, sad, mournful mouth accentuated the resemblance to the martyr president. Possibly his feelings were not entirely different from those experienced by Lincoln at some crises of doubt, misunderstanding and depression.

"If you can't change your methods," said Jennie, "I suggest that you resign."

"Do you think," said Jim, "that changing my methods would appease the men who feel that they are made laughing-stocks by having elected me?"

Jennie was silent; for she knew that the school board meant to pursue their policy of getting rid of the accidental inc.u.mbent regardless of his methods.

"They would never call off their dogs," said Jim.

"But your methods would make a great difference with my decision," said Jennie.

"Are you to be called upon to decide?" asked Jim.

"A formal complaint against you for incompetency," she replied, "has been lodged in my office, signed by the three directors. I shall be obliged to take notice of it."

"And do you think," queried Jim, "that my abandonment of the things in which I believe in the face of this attack would prove to your mind that I am competent? Or would it show me incompetent?"

Again Jennie was silent.

"I guess," said Jim, "that we'll have to stand or fall on things as they are."

"Do you refuse to resign?" asked Jennie.

"Sometimes I think it's not worth while to try any longer," said Jim. "And yet, I believe that in my way I'm working on the question which must be solved if this nation is to stand--the question of making the farm and farm life what they should be and may well be. At this moment, I feel like surrendering--for your sake more than mine; but I'll have to think about it. Suppose I refuse to resign?"

Jennie had drawn on her gloves, and stood ready for departure.

"Unless you resign before the twenty-fifth," said she, "I shall hear the pet.i.tion for your removal on that date. You will be allowed to be present and answer the charges against you. The charges are incompetency. I bid you good evening!"

"Incompetency!" The disgraceful word, representing everything he had always despised, rang through Jim's mind as he walked home. He could think of nothing else as he sat at the simple supper which he could scarcely taste. Incompetent! Well, had he not always been incompetent, except in the use of his muscles? Had he not always been a dreamer? Were not all his dreams as foreign to life and common sense as the Milky Way from the earth? What reason was there for thinking that this crusade of his for better schools had any sounder foundation than hia dream of being president, or a great painter, or a poet or novelist or philosopher? He was just a hayseed, a rube, a misfit, as odd as d.i.c.k's hatband, an off ox.

He _was_ incompetent. He picked up a pen, and began writing. He wrote, "To the Honorable the Board of Education of the Independent District of ----"

And he heard a tap at the door. His mother admitted Colonel Woodruff.

"h.e.l.lo, Jim," said he.

"Good evening, Colonel," said Jim. "Take a chair, won't you?"

"No," replied the colonel. "I thought I'd see if you and the boys at the schoolhouse can't tell me something about the s.m.u.t in my wheat. I heard you were going to work on that to-night."

"I had forgotten!" said Jim.

"I wondered if you hadn't," said the colonel, "and so I came by for you. I was waiting up the road. Come on, and ride up with me."

The colonel had always been friendly, but there was a new note in his manner to-night. He was almost deferential. If he had been talking to Senator c.u.mmins or the president of the state university, his tone could not have been more courteous, more careful to preserve the amenities due from man to man. He worked with the cla.s.s on the problem of s.m.u.t. He offered to aid the boys in every possible way in their campaign against scab in potatoes. He suggested some tests which would show the real value of the treatment. The boys were in a glow of pride at this cooperation with Colonel Woodruff. This was real work! Jim and the colonel went away together. It had been a great evening.

"Jim," said the colonel, "can these kids spell?"

"You mean these boys?"

"I mean the school."

"I think," said Jim, "that they can outspell any school about here."

"Good," said the colonel. "How are they about reading aloud?"

"Better than they were when I took hold."

"How about arithmetic and the other branches? Have you sort of kept them up to the course of study?"

"I have carried them in a course parallel to the text-books," said Jim, "and covering the same ground. But it has been vocational work, you know--related to life."

"Well," said the colonel, "if I were you, I'd put them over a rapid review of the text-books for a few days--say between now and the twenty-fifth."

"What for?"

"Oh, nothing--just to please me .... And say, Jim, I glanced over a communication you have started to the more or less Honorable Board of Education."

"Yes?"

"Well, don't finish it .... And say, Jim, I think I'll give myself the luxury of being a wild-eyed reformer for once."

"Yes," said Jim, dazed.

"And if you think, Jim, that you've got no friends, just remember that I'm for you."