Normal school, that’s what they called the teachers training college in those days. They gave us the knowledge we needed, but they didn’t teach us about human nature…they couldn’t I suppose. How could anyone prepare to deal with people like Bernard B Stauffer, the chairman of the school board?

That’s who I had to face on my second day of school.

***

The sounds of happy children danced around the schoolyard.

“Go, you can do it…oh, there’s the finish line, you win the race…good work Edward!” The day before, the teacher had been stiff and uptight, today she was indulging her own inner child. And why not? At twenty, she wasn’t really that much older than some of her students. Judging by the positive atmosphere, her charges appreciated her change in attitude. “Alright, you can start your tug of war now!” The teacher cried as she threw a rope toward the pack of excited children.

“There you are!” Bernard Stauffer remarked as he strode toward her with the air of a man accustomed to being in charge.

“And there you are,” Miss Auclair said without enthusiasm as she turned her attention toward the politician. As the two adults moved toward their own confrontation, the children formed two teams and began a loud and vigorous game of tug of war.

“You and I need to have a discussion,” Bernard said loudly, attempting to compete with the chaos around him.

“What is it now?”

“I’m sorry ma’am, according to regulations, there have been enough complaints about you…”

“All the complaints are from Rebekah no doubt.”

“That I need to call a board meeting to discuss them.”

“As it happens I have a copy of the regulations right here.” Miss Auclair moved to a weather-beaten brown bag lying beside the entrance to the schoolhouse. She rummaged through it for a moment and then pulled a small black book from it. “Show me where it says that you need to have a board meeting.”

“I don’t really think that is necessary Miss Auclair, I…”

“Oh, I think it is…if I’m to be fired, I need to know why.” She extended the book toward Bernard. “Read it to me. The part that says that you need to call a special meeting.”

Bernard took the book as if it contained an explosive. “We haven’t decided to fire you. I just said that we need to discuss the complaints about you.”

“You haven’t shown me where it says in the regulations that you need to do that either.”

“Miss Auclair, I don’t answer to you! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really have to go. I just thought it would be better to deliver the news to you in person.” On that note, Bernard moved away from his tormentor.

“You don’t know how to read, do you?” Miss Auclair shouted after him.

“Of course, I know how to read!”Bernard jumped out of the way as a mob of children flowed toward him. The tug of war was intensifying in more ways than one.

“Alright then, what does this say?” Miss Auclair charged forward, opened the book, and then pointed to an open page. “That sentence right there.”

“It says, ahem, women are annoying.”

“No, it says, manual of regulations for school teachers. 1923.”

“Listen. Would I be running for mayor of Gladstone if I didn’t know how to read?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me.”

“You are an impudent young woman, aren’t you? If you don’t know, I am Bernard B Stauffer. I am an important man in town.”

“All the more reason to learn how to read…maybe even a little mathematics.”

“Ha. Something about you teaching me mathematics doesn’t quite add up.”

“Well, think about it. If you decide you’d like to learn a few things, meet me at the Williamson’s the day after tomorrow at 7:00 and I’ll teach you a lesson.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of! I can assure you that your impudent attitude will be discussed by our board at the earliest opportunity. If you are wise, you will change your behavior before then.” And, on that happy note, Bernard stormed off.

“I could let it be known around town that the candidate for mayor, Bernard B Stauffer, doesn’t know how to read!”

Bernard turned back and pointed a finger of threat toward her. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Are you sure?” Miss Auclair asked. Then, as a slight smile of triumph played across her face, she rang the handheld bell in her hand, signaling that the tug of war was over.