But for all of these things “Dodd” Weaver was still “Dodd” Weaver, and there were times when he suffered a relapse from his high estate.  One of these times came as follows: 

It was a sultry forenoon in May, and “Dodd” was restless and uneasy.  He fidgeted about in his seat, teased the boy in front of him, and tripped up a little fellow who passed him on the way to a class.  His teacher watched him for some time, and, at the last offense, concluded that it was best to give the boy a bit of attention.  She came down to his desk and said: 

“It’s a bad kind of a morning for boys, isn’t it, ’Dodd’?”

The boy hung his head a little, and Amy proceeded: 

“Come here to the door a minute; I want to show you something.”

“Dodd” wondered what was wanted, but arose, as he was bidden, and went to the door,

“Do you see that tree, away down the road?” said Amy, pointing to a large maple that was more than a quarter of a mile away.

“Dodd” said that he saw the object pointed out.

“Well, now, I want you to start here and run to that tree just as fast as you can, and then turn right around and run back again, and I’ll stand right here all the time and watch you, and see how long it takes you to go and come;” and she drew out her watch as she spoke.

“Dodd” looked at her for an instant, but the next moment he was off with a bound and ran his best, both going and coming.  He returned presently, having made most excellent time.  Amy told him how many minutes he had been gone, and bade him take his seat.  The boy was a little in doubt as to just why he was called on to perform this feat; but, between pondering over the affair and being tired from his race, he was a good boy all the rest of the morning!  The girl had simply given the child a chance to work off his superfluous animal spirits, and, with this quantity reduced to a safety limit, he was himself again.

What a pity there are not more teachers who appreciate the value of a safety-valve!

The incident is but one of a score that illustrate the resources of Amy Kelly in the management of “Dodd” Weaver.  She was always taking the boy by surprise.  He was wayward and wilful at times, but her genius was equal to the emergency.  She won him by her divine power to do just that thing, as her class always does, and as none others can.  She was born to teach, or with the teaching faculty—­with a genius for that work; and her success was marked from the first.  She did for “Dodd” Weaver in a single term more than all the former years had done; she made a record in his character that will never be effaced.