The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1839-09-26

When the ceremony of introduc.
ton was over, Mr.. Gibbs laid the
whole matter before Squire Brown.
showed him the subscription paper.
and told him that they were all de-
pending upon him now whether they
should have a singing school or not.
Squire Brown put on his spectacles
and read the subscription paper over
two or three times, till he fully under
stood the terms, and the deficiency in
the amount subscribed. Then with
out saying word, he took pen and
deliberately subscribed five dollars.
That settled the business; the desired
sum was raised, and the school was to
60 ahead. 1t was agreed that it
should commence on the following
evening, and that Mr.. Crochet should
board with Mr.. Gibbs one week, with
the Squire the next, and SO 60 round
through the neighborhood.
On the following day there was no
small commotion among the young
folks Of the village, in making prepare
ton for the evening school. New
singing books were purchased, dresses
were prepared, curling tongs and
crlmplng-Hons were put in requistion,
and early in the evening the long
chamber in Gibbs's tavern, which was
called by way of eminence the hail.
was we'll filled with youth of both
sexes, the old folks not being allowed
to attend that evening, lest the 'boys
and gals, should be ditfident about
sounding the notes. range of long
narrow tables was placed round three
sides Of the hall, with benches behind
them, upon which the youth were
seated. a singing book and candle
were shared by two, all round the
room, till you came to Miss Jerusha
Brown, who had taken the uppermost
seat, and monopolised q whole book
and a whole candle to her own use.
Betsy Buck, lively, reckless sort OF
a girl Of sixteen, who cared for nobody
nor nothing in this. world, but was full
of frolic and fun, had by chance taken
a seat next to Miss Jerusha. Miss
Betsy had slight inward turn of one
eye, just enough to give her a roguist
look that well comported with hel
character. While they were waiting
for the entrance of the master, many
a suppressed laugh, and now and then
an audible giggIe passed round the
room, the mere ebuilltions Of buoyant
spirits and contagious mirth, without
aim or object. Miss Jerusha, who
was trying to behave her prettiest.
repeatedly chided their rudeness, and
more than once told Miss Betsy Buck.
that she ought to be ashamed to be
Laughing SO much; for what would
Mr.. Crochet think, if lie should come
in and find them all Of a gigglep
After while the door opened, and
Mr.. Christopher Crochet entered.
He bent his body slightly as he passed
the door, to prevent conclusion OF
his head against the Intel, and then
walked very erect into the middle OF
the floor, and made a short speech to
his class. His grotesque appearance
caused a slight tittering round the
room, and Miss Betsy was even guilty
of an incipient audible laugh, which,
however, she had the tact SO far tc
turn into cough as to save appear.
ances. Still it was observed by Miss
Jerusha, who told her again, in low
whisper, that she ought to be asham
ed, and added, sMr. Crochet was g
most splendid man; a beautiful man.
After Mr.. Crochet had made his
Introductory speech, he proceeded to
try the voices Of his pupils, making
each one alone follow him in rising anc
falling the notes. He passed rouno
without difficulty till he came to Miss
Betsy Buck. She rather hesitated tc
let her voice be heard alone; but the
master told her she must sound, and
holding his head down so close to hers
that they almost met, he commenced
pouring his faw, sole, law, into hel
ear. Miss Betsy drew back little
but followed with a low and some
what. tremufous voice, till she hac
sounded three or four notes, wher
her risible muscles got the mastery
and she burst into an unEestralned fl
of laughter.
! The master looked confused ane
/ cross and Miss Jerusha even locke,
I crosser than the master. She agar
reproached Miss Betsy for her rude
ness, and told her in an emphatic
whisper, which was intended more
especially for the masters ear, tina
such conduct was shameful, and if shs
couldn't behave better she ought t.
stay at home.'
Miss Jerusha's turn to sound came
] next, and she leaned her head full hal
way across the table to meet the mas
ter's and sounded the notes clea
i through, three or four times over, iron
/ bottom to top and from top to bot