Variety radio directory (1938)

GOSSIP'S MARTYR (THE STORY)— Continued Nothing happened. Tom didn't say anything, nor did I hear any more warnings. I was glad that I paid no attention to what my friend had said. An incident, too, happened at school which disturbed me for a time. I was called before the board, and the chairman said it had been reported to him that the clothes I wore in my classes were not quite conservative enough for a teacher. I was startled, for it had never occurred to me that my clothes were daring. They were just nice and, I hoped, becoming. I had always thought it was better to present a smart appearance before my pupils than a dowdy one. But I didn't discuss the matter with the board. I apologized, and promised that I would modify my dressing. I didn't know just how I would do that, for I didn't know how I had sinned, but I decided I would copy the other teachers' clothes as well as I could. Otherwise I made very good progress in my work at school, and with my drama class. We produced several plays and I prided myself on having a devoted group of students. They came to me for advice and learned to regard me as a friend. I often took the cast of the play we happened to be doing to my home for rehearsals. We had our basement fitted up as a recreation room, and it was very large. Here, after rehearsals, I sometimes let the youngsters dance to radio music for a little while, and it was pleasant to have this camaraderie between us. So the three years of teaching passed. A few weeks before the school board was to vote on my election to a permanent teaching position, I received a letter from the board saying that a hearing on my election would be held at a certain date, and inviting me to attend. I felt there was something strange about this, for ordinarily there would be no need for the board to interview a teacher, just to reappoint her. I grew more apprehensive because I could not understand what the officials could have against me. This news came to me, too, at an especially unfortunate time. Both my father and my mother were in the hospital, and my only brother was out of town. I was alone. I could not worry my parents when they were ill, and there was no one else close enough to me to turn to for advice. I decided to seek the help of a young lawyer who practiced in Lynn, and who was a member of the Tavern Players. He told me it would be best to wait until the meeting was held before doing anything. After all, I didn't know what the intentions of the board were. On the day of the meeting I went to the school office. I was told to wait in the lobby while the deliberations went on within. There were five members of the board, a newspaper man, the proprietor of a box factory, a restaurant keeper, a merchant and a retired school teacher — a woman. She was about sixty, a spinster, and a member of several of Saugus' welfare and church organizations. I waited for some time, straining my ears to catch some sound from the committee room. Finally the superintendent of schools, who was very friendly toward me, came out. He appeared disconsolate. "I don't think there is any use waiting longer," he said. "I don't think they want to see you." "But I don't understand!" I cried. "What is the matter?" "I can't tell you," the superintendent said, almost sorrowfully. "At least, not now. Why not go home and call me this evening? I'll tell you the result then." By the expression on the superintendent's face I could see that there was some trouble, and that it was very serious. But he would not commit himself with a definite statement and so I had to go home and remain in suspense for some hours longer. I became frightened. I had become involved in some terrible happening. I was sure of that. Else why all this secrecy? Why these conferences about me behind closed doors? That evening I telephoned the superintendent's home. There was no answer. I telephoned again later, with the same result. It grew late; eleven o'clock, eleventhirty. I was afraid to telephone at such an hour, but I had to know the board's decision. I picked up the receiver and called. The bell buzzed at the other end. No one replied. Listlessly, I dropped the receiver and slumped into a chair. I wondered if I should go to the superintendent's house myself. Maybe he was in, and didn't want to answer me. I debated with myself for half an hour. Suddenly there was a ring at the door. I leaped from the chair and ran to answer it. It must be the superintendent! He had come all the way to see me, and so late! That meant he was the bearer of good news! 250