Monday, August 29, 1910
Sarah woke up refreshed. As she ate breakfast with her parents, her mother became choked up. She tried not to cry. "Our daughter is a senior. This is your last first day of school."
Sarah beamed. "I suppose it is."
Michael was proud. "She is becoming a woman."
Sarah smiled.
Paula said, "I see a little girl."
Michael added, "I see tomorrow. That little girl has a bright future ahead of her. She will lead us to a world unknown. Her words will pierce the darkness that separates man from man. She will be a sword of peace. Though I do not know how I can clearly foresee that her light will be an instrument of prosperity and goodness."
Sarah did not know how to react; she looked out the window and focused on another time and place.
Paula reached out for her hand. "As long as you are here, now, finish your pancakes and let your father drive you to school."
"Yes, ma'am."
After breakfast, her father drover to school.
As she sat on the front row bench she shared with Emily she thought about her younger days. Her wandering mind was snapped back to reality as she heard Principal Hall ring the two minute bell.
Emily came in the classroom along with Lynn. Emily sat beside Sarah and gleefully whispered, "Our last first day."
Sarah smiled. She turned to her right and waved hello at Lynn.
When Tommy and Pete walked into the room all three girls said, "Hi Tommy" in unison. They then gave each other worrisome looks.
Meanwhile, in the 7th and 8th grade classroom, Margaret Costello was the first one to arrive. She sat down at her bench desk and awaited the arrival of Kimberly Buchanan. However, when Kimberly walked in, she sat on a bench across from Margaret.
Margaret tilted her head. "What are you doing?"
Kimberly shrugged. "I'm taking my seat."
"You're supposed to sit next to me. We've sat next to each other since first grade." 
Kimberly nodded. "I know, but, I just wanted to sit somewhere else this year."
Margaret raised an eyebrow. She asked suspiciously, "Why?"
Jake Watson walked to the Junior High classroom. He looked over the desk arrangements.
"Jake?" said Kimberly. "Will you sit with me?"
Jake wore a slight smile. "Really?"
Kimberly nervously nodded. "Mmm-Hmm."
Jake complied.
Margaret turned to Kimberly and winked. "Gotcha."
Margaret turned around. "Um… Brian? Do you want to sit with me?"
Brian was unsure, thinking it might be a prank. "Really?"
"Yes." Margaret softly patted the bench.
Brian shrugged and joined her.
When Brian wasn't looking Margaret turned to Kimberly and stuck out her tongue.
"One minute!" A chipper voice asked, "Are you ready for a new school year?" The inquiry came from Mrs. Evans, the red haired teacher for the 7th and 8th grade class.
The students gave a reluctant "I guess."
"Are you Mrs. Evans?" asked a girl with curly brown hair.
"I am." She looked over a roster. "Are you Amelia Longwood?"
She nodded. 
Mrs. Evans smiled. "Come right in. Sit here." She pointed at the middle desk on the second row.
"Ok." She smiled and looked at the clock.
The bell rang.
"Class is begun."
Mrs. Evans annunciated as she wrote on the chalk board. "My name is Dana Evans. You will address me as Mrs. Evans, only your parents will be allowed to call me Dana."
She looked at a sheet of paper on the wall. "We have 11 students this year. There is a piece of paper on your desk. Tonight you will give this sheet to your parents so they can know the names and addresses of all your scholastic associates. I want you to stand up and tell the class about something you did over the summer. When I point to you, you will begin. Brian?"
When Brian heard his name and stood up. He cleared his throat. "My name is Brian Anderson. I am in 8th grade. I have been in Crummy, um, Eagle Creek all of my life."
The class erupted in laughter.
Mrs. Evans gave him a playful scowl: "That's what we called it when I was in school."
He was embarrassed.
"Please continue, Brian."
"I grew up here. I like collecting baseball cards. My grandpa gave me a Honus Wagner of the Pittsburgh Pirates card last week. I'm learning to play the harpsichord. One was donated to the Main Street Baptist Church, that's where I go." He sighed. "That's about it."
Mrs. Evans smiled and clapped, the rest of the class joined in the applause.
"My name is Kimberly Buchanan. I am in 8th grade. I grew up here too. This summer I went to Great Falls. On the fourth of July, I participated in a three legged race with my aunt Josephine. We won. Out of all of those people who participated, somehow, we beat them. And it wasn't a girls' only event, there were boys too!"
The girls smiled.
Mrs. Evans chuckled, "You should be very proud of yourself Kimberly. Margaret Costello."
"My name is Margaret Costello. I am in 8th grade, I grew up here. I like raising cows. At the fair in June, I won a blue ribbon for Dreama, my Brown Jersey."
Mrs. Evans smiled. "Well, good for you! I grew up on a farm and raised llamas. They can be quite…." She stopped talking.
Principal Janet Hall was in the back of the room standing with Hank Tyler and his son, Henry.
Mrs. Evans slowly shook her head. 
Mrs. Hall replied with a stern nod, a subtle way of reminding her that she worked for the city. Mrs. Evans rolled her eyes.
Mr. Tyler said, "Take a seat boy."
Henry mumbled, "Yes, sir."
Mrs. Evans pointed at a chair and said, "Henry there's a chair in the corner. Why don't you…?"
Mrs. Hall interrupted her, "Mrs. Evans, you have a free slot on that bench."
Mrs. Evans snapped, "Which is being occupied by a thirteen-year-old girl who moved here a week ago!"
Mrs. Hall spoke up, "Henry you will sit with Amelia Longwood."
Henry shrugged and went to the bench. The other children nervously watched him take his seat.
Amelia was slightly embarrassed by the exchange but she offered no objections. Henry sat down.
"Boy, you'd better mind your teacher" said Hank Tyler in an authoritative tone.
Henry replied, "Yes sir." 
As Mrs. Hall returned to the rear of the classroom, Mrs. Evans said forthrightly, "One chance. One chance only."
Mrs. Hall replied, "Understood, Dana, now get to work."
Mrs. Evans gave a wary look to Henry. She sighed. "Fine."
Mrs. Evans spoke to the class and Mr. Tyler. "Henry should be in 10th grade. He was held back because of his behavior. I warned him, in front of these witnesses to not disrupt my classroom. We follow one rule in this classroom. It is the same rule we follow in this town. Henry, recite that rule for me."
Henry did not immediately reply.
His father barked, "Tell her."
Henry bit his lip. "Matthew 7:12, 'Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.'"
Mrs. Evans nodded. "Mr. Edward Tyler, your son is familiar with that rule. He is therefore responsible for his conduct in my classroom. Additionally, Mrs. Hall, let him return with the following caveat, any disruptions will lead to his unconditional dismissal. You've heard my mandate once. There will be no further discussion."
She turned to Henry. "Do you understand me?"
Henry meekly nodded.
Mrs. Evans pointed at another boy. "Sherman, tells us about yourself and what you did this summer."
She motioned for him to stand up.
"My name is Sherman Grant, I am in 7th grade. Mrs. Evans is my second cousin. But last Thanksgiving she promised she would treat me like everyone else."
She laughed: "That's true."
"I went on a hunting trip with some men. My dad said I could go. Mr. Grossman showed me how to shoot a bow and arrow." He sat down.
Mrs. Evans pointed at another boy.
"My name is Jansen Larkin I am in 7th grade. I like baseball too. For my birthday, I got a new baseball card, Ed Walsh of the White Sox. He's a pitcher. When I went to the carnival this year…."
Mrs. Evans, out of the corner of her eye, saw a note being passed. She popped out her desk chair and walked over to Kimberly. "Give it to me."
Kimberly was mortified. She gave Mrs. Evans the note.
"Children, you have recess and lunch and several dozen hours of free time during the week. You will not pass notes in my class. When you are here you are on my time, not yours. Additionally, if you pass a note and I find it, guess what happens!" She opened the note.
"Jake,
Henry will get expelled if he gets in trouble. Let's..." she collapsed her shoulders and sighed. "Let's start a fight with him at lunch. He'll get expelled and we won't have to worry about that nimcompoop (which, incidentally, is misspelled).
Brian."
Henry hung his head.
Mrs. Evans shook her head. "Brian, this is not the best way to begin your first day of eighth grade."
Brian stared at her. "Mrs. Evans, I don't like Henry Tyler. Nobody likes him. Last year on the playground, he hit me for no reason other than to be mean. I had to go to the dentist in Quincy to get two teeth put back in. I simply do not want that… that lousy such-n-such to be near me or any of my friends. And if I took a survey, ma'am, my guess is every student's mother and father would agree with me."
Most of the other children nodded.
Mrs. Evans swished her mouth. "That maybe the case, however, neither your parents, nor you, Brian, are the ones who made that decision. Confound it, I wasn't even allowed to have a say in the matter. Constable Walsdorf, Reverend Litchfield from the Methodist Church and Janet Hall, who signs my paychecks, were the ones who thought it best that Henry join us this year so I will abide by their decisions not your parents' opinions.
Part of being an adult and one of the fundamental aspects of civilization is the oft detestable notion that, at times, one must live with rules or circumstances with which they do not agree.
All of you children have some chore that you must do for no other reason than your mother or father tells you to do it. In such instances, you bite the bullet and move on. Henry Tyler…" she shook her head. "He's earned the trepidation I'm feeling right now about having him in my classroom. That being said, the decision has been made. I don't have to like it or agree with it but if I want to keep my job I will obey it and you children will do the same.
And if I ever hear of one of you boys faking a fight simply to get him tossed out..." she nodded. "Well, I've said enough."
"Mrs. Evans, may I say something?" asked Henry.
"You may."
Henry slowly stood up. "Um…" he scratched his head. "Brian, I'm sorry I punched you. I know the dentist in Quincy doesn't do his work for free but I ain't got no money to pay you back. Maybe I could do some chores around your house sometime or, I dunno, sweep out the Feed 'n Grain Store you dad owns."
Brian shrugged. "Ok."
Henry looked to Kimberly. "I apologize to everyone for everything I did wrong.
Mrs. Evans, I apologize for throwing that chair through the window. I did fix it, Mr. Conrad showed me how to put it back in and do the… thing with the level and he even let me stir the paint. My own dad never taught me how to do much of anything.
To the rest of you, please, accept my humble apology. I will work for you if anybody's been wronged."
He turned to Amelia. 
"Amelia, I'm a brute and I… I've been locked up in the jail on a couple of occasions. One time for vandalizing a church and another time for… for hurting a little kid at the park who I thought was making fun of me. I promise to never do anything untoward to you, but, sitting next to me might be uncomfortable because if you hear any rumors about me, chances are they'll be 100% true, so, for your sake, maybe I should go sit on that chair in the…."
Amelia reached out and took a hold of his hand. "No. Henry, you'll sit by me and that'll be just fine."
Henry gave a subtle smile. "Thank you."
He sat down.
The class was quiet for a minute.
Mrs. Evans fought hard to choke back her tears. She looked to Henry. "Don't disappoint me, don't you dare disappoint me, Henry Tyler."
Mrs. Evans turned to Jansen Larkin. She whispered, "I apologize for that interruption. What did you do at the carnival?"
"I um… I got my picture taken with a lion."
Mrs. Evans chuckled, "A lion?"
"Yeah, a real lion, he came from Africa. This fellow travels the state with this lion named Goliath. They even stay in the same hotel room."
The class giggled.
"Seriously?"
Jansen shrugged. "That's what the old man told me, I promise."
"Well," Mrs. Evans guffawed. "I suppose a lion has to sleep somewhere.
Amelia, tell us about yourself."
She stood up. "My name is Amelia Longwood, I am in 7th grade. I moved here last Wednesday from River City. My parents came here for the Music Festival. They liked it so much that they decided to move here."
Mrs. Evans asked, "What do you think of our town so far?"
She shrugged: "All my friends are back in River City."
Jake said, "Which means when you go to town on the hayride Friday night you can see them."
Amelia smiled. "Hey, hey, that's right."
Mrs. Evans nodded. "Options, there's always a world of options. Remember that, Amelia."
Mrs. Evans reluctantly said, "Henry, tell us about yourself and what you did this past summer."
He stood up again. "My name is... well, you already know my name."
There were subdued laughs in the class.
"Um… around the Fourth of July, I found a bird's nest in a tree. The momma bird was dead. My cat, Sweetie, ate her."
Henry bobbed his head. "I didn't know what to do with it at first. I felt sorry for the baby birds. I mean, it was my cat that ate their momma. But then again, well, Sweetie was being... a cat.
Anyway, I found an old bird cage down at the dump."
He cleared his throat. "I like to go down there sometimes and play. I make up games and stuff because none of the other kids want to...."
He paused. "I fixed up the cage and hung it up by a hook from the branch of a big oak tree in our front yard. I thought that if I had them up around where other birds are they could learn... bird stuff."
Mrs. Evans smiled.
"I dug up worms and I'd mashed them up. I used tweezers to drop the food into their mouths. A book we read last year said that birds don't like human smell.
After awhile, they grew feathers and began hopping around. One day they were hopping around so much that they were hitting their tiny heads on the top of the cage, so, I let them go."
Henry got a sentimental look on his face. He motioned with his hands. "They circled around the tree and then… and then they just flew off. I'm not sure if I'll ever see them again and maybe that doesn't matter. I didn't raise those birds for me I raised them for everybody else. It felt real good to do something for somebody else. I guess I understand a little better what it means to be an adult."
He smiled. "I like birds."
He sat down.
Mrs. Evans wiped away a tear. She cleared her throat. "Ginger."
"Ginger McPherson, I am in 8th grade. I like collecting porcelain dolls and this summer I took a tour of a factory that makes them when I visited my sister Rene in Missoula. I even got to paint the pupils on one of them."
"My name is Shawna Noel, I am in 7th grade. This summer, Mr. Bradshaw down at the livery let me help out. I got to take care of the horses. It was hard work but it was a lot of fun."
"Very good, Shawna. Jake?"
"Hi. My name is Jake Watson. I am in 8th grade. I moved here a few weeks ago.
I grew up in Billings. In July, my friend Sarah Conrad paid me $5 to draw pictures of her friends at a slumber party."
Mrs. Evans smiled. "Very good. Do you know how to work with clay?"
"A little bit," Jake replied.
"You'll love art. Ok, we haven't heard from what's that name?"
The young girl rolled her eyes. "Boo! Yes… Boo! Just like a ghost says! It's a dumb name. It's Chinese for 'precious.' My full name is Boo Wahu Zige.
My parents are from Hong Kong. I was born in Fargo and I grew up there. My parents moved me here last month. They are opening a dry-cleaners." She sighed. "I want to go back to Fargo. I miss my friends. I'm in 8th grade."
"Jan Smithers. 8th grade. Grew up in Eagle Creek, blah, blah, blah. My parents bought a record player in River City. My dad likes fancy music."
Mrs. Evans chuckled, "Very good. I think that's everybody."
She used her teacher tone, "Each day will begin with a prayer. I will say the prayer for today, but next Monday that will be Jansen's responsibility. Jake you will lead the prayer on Tuesday, Brian on Wednesday, Sherman on Thursday and Henry on Friday. Understood?"
The boys answered, "Yes, ma'am."
Jake asked, "Why do the boys have to pray?"
Mrs. Evans replied, "Because, Jake, someday you will be a man. To be a man you must be a leader: brave, wise and devoted to a higher calling. That is why we study the Bible in school; that is why we talk to God in school."
Mrs. Evans opened up a book desk and held up a certain page. "Do you recognize the man in this picture?"
Jake shook his head no.
"His named was Noah Webster. He lived from 1758 to 1843. He is the father of American Scholarship and Education. His Blue-Backed Speller is the fundamental book for teaching millions of citizens how to read and write and spell.
He once said, 'God has provided but one way, by which nations can secure their rights and privileges ...by obedience to His laws. Without this, a nation may be great in population, great in wealth, and great in military strength; but it must be corrupt in morals, degraded in character, and distracted with factions.'
When you obey God, you live with liberty and self-determination. When you disobey God, you induce a life of concession and tyranny.
It is demanded of me, as your teacher to ensure that you have a moral grounding. I can teach you the Bible verses, you can stand up and recite them, it is up to you to kneel and apply them. Do you understand?"
Jake smiled and nodded.
"Good. Boys, pay careful attention to the format I use to pray. I want you to follow my pattern.
To begin with, I will recognize God as our Creator and Benefactor. I will then pray for this class in a general way. I will then pray for our country. I will then mention specific people or circumstances that you request and I will close."
The boys made notes.
"Children, who is on your heart today?"
No one raised their hands, at first, but then Jake raised his hand.
Mrs. Evans recognized him.
"My parents are divorced. When I injured my hand a couple of weeks ago, my mother decided to move to Eagle Creek so she could be near me. It's hard on my parents to be around each other."
"Her name?"
"Mildred Watson and my dad's name is Ross."
Mrs. Evans looked up; "Anyone else?"
Henry asked carefully, "Can you pray for my birds?"
Some of the children chuckled.
"I would be happy to do that."
Ginger raised her hand. "Mrs. Copeland from church is sick." 
Jansen said, "My grandpa is getting forgetful. His name is Arnold Panashay."
"Anyone else?"
No one else responded. She made a motion for them to stand up.
"Children, bow your heads."
They did.
"Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. We thank Thee for this new school year. We thank Thee for our new friends and the fun that we will enjoy. We thank Thee for our nation. We ask that you bless President Taft; grant him a measure of wisdom whereby he may govern justly.
I ask Thee to watch over Mildred and Ross Watson. Let the anger they feel towards each other be tempered by their love of Jake. Please be with Arnold Panashay and Mrs. Copeland.
And God, be with Henry Tyler's birds. Let them know that you'll take care of them, no matter what happens. Father, I thank Thee for sending Henry Tyler into this class so we could hear that story.
Be with us today as we study and grow that we may be a Righteous Nation.
In your Son's Name I pray, Amen."
The children said, "Amen."
Mrs. Evans said, "You may be seated."
The children returned to their seats.
"I will now tell you about your day. You will arrive on time, no excuses. You will arrive well fed, bathed and in presentable attire. This pattern will be followed until May 27th, 1911. If there is an unforeseen circumstance like a severe blizzard or perhaps a death in the family, arrangements will be made for your education at another location. There will be a 3 minute break at the end of each class should you need to use the bathroom or get a glass of water.
From 8:00 am to 8:30 am we will pray and discuss any enlightening activities we engaged in the previous day.
From 8:30 to 9:00 we will study and concentrate so as to prepare our minds for the task at hand.
9:00 to 10:00 is Grammar and Spelling.
10:00 to 11:00 will be Bible class.
11:00 to noon is Art and Music.
Noon to 12:30 is your lunch. Each student is responsible for their own lunch. If your family is having a hardship and needs assistance of any kind, please notify Principal Janet Hall. She will visit with your family in private and decipher ways in which the community can assist you. No outside force has the power to divert your education. Every problem can be addressed and overcome.
12:30 pm to 1:00 is your recess. This is a free time; you may play outside, study, go to the library, whatever you choose.
1:00 to 2:00 is physical training. You will have calisthenics and you will learn a team sport in conjunction with survival and combat skills. Amelia, this is probably new for you but girls are required to train in exactly the same method as the boys in all areas.
From 2:00 to 3:00 is History and Geography.
From 3:00 to 4:00, the final class of the day, will be home training. Boys, this includes you. You will learn to cook, sew, do basic repairs involve various machines and learn the fundamentals of health such as coping with an injury or assisting a doctor.
There is no homework at this school. We have you 8 hours a day and that's enough. Your parents are the ones who must raise you. At home you will be expected to do your fair share of chores. Any studying is done on your time. I will not have a mother or father come to me and say that you neglected feeding the chickens because you had an examination in any subject.
You will learn. You will behave. You will have fun. If you do the first two then the third will come automatically. Trust me; I can be your guide to much enjoyment in this school year. That being said, I will not tolerate rudeness or insubordination on any level. I do not care who your father is or what station he holds in this community. I do not care how well you can toss a ball or make a speech; all I care about is your education in regards to the welfare of your peers. The second you become a distracting force is the moment you put yourself and potentially the citizenship of your entire family in jeopardy.
Now then, we will prepare our minds to learn. Place your palms flat on your desk and close your eyes. Inhale and exhale out on my count, we will do this 10 times each morning."
The children did as they were told; soon they were relaxed and ready to learn.
"Please take out a pencil and a piece of paper. You are going to take a test."
The children moaned.
"Children, it will count for nothing, I just need to see where you are academically.
At the top of the paper in the right hand corner, write your name, grade level and today's date.
Number 1: What is the most popular poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge?
Number 2: At which pole will you find penguins?
Number 3: How many counties are in Montana?
Number 4: What is the tallest building in the world?
Number 5: In mathematics, what is pi?
Number 6: Who was the sixth president of the United States?
Number 7: Who was director of this year's Eagle Creek Music Festival?
Number 8: How many books are in the New Testament?
Number 9: What is the present perfect tense of the verb walk?
Number 10: Name two boys introduced today who did not mention baseball cards.
You have 10 minutes beginning now."
The students picked up their pencils.
Jake missed only one question: Number 9 (have walked). At the beginning of lunch he saw Lynn, Emily and Sarah sitting in the spot they called Solitude.
Lynn waved him over. "So? How are you doing?"
He shrugged. "Not bad, I'm sitting next to a girl."
Sarah guffawed, "What?"
"I'm sitting next to Kimberly Buchanan."
Emily giggled. "Well, you lucked out on that seating chart."
Jake shook his head. "She invited me to sit with her."
Lynn raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"Yeah."
Emily smiled. "Think she's cute?"
He did not know how to respond. The girls aped his expression.
"Lynn? Sarah? Emily? Don't make me get all squirrelly around her."
Lynn asked, "What about Angela in River City?"
Jake looked at them suspiciously. "What about Dennis, Jeff and Simon?"
Lynn said, "Eh."
Emily said, "Um, well."
Sarah said, "I, I, I, I."
Jake smiled. "Then we're even. I am going to go sit with my new friends ok?"
He walked off.
Sarah, Lynn and Emily waved bye-bye as a harmonious trio. He waved back. They blew him kisses; he swatted them away like flies.
The girls were amazed. They spent the rest of the lunch discussing their new world.
Emily shrugged. "Well, it's going to be a most unusual school year."
Sarah agreed with her. "I suppose so."
