The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-11
ST. JOhnsbury, Vt December II, 1S47

with geometry and its correlative aud bnslng
study, common arithmetic, which must be
first mastered. When pupils have done this
they may with some hope ofproft, enter up
on geometry, in which they need not then be
limited to n few pretty problems of this in
tereSting branch of science; or they may ell
ter upon rhetoric without being confined for
illustrations to the stage-rendhgs Of Shake
speare, or the melodies of Thomas Moore"
The professor, whose superficial teachings
and manner of illustrating were known 10
Amsden, was touched by this reply even
more nearly than the latter was himself IL
ware. Bur, though evidently Disconnected,
he contrved to conceal his feelings, under
an affected disdain to offer at this time any
Notwithstanding his fair worshippers now
TO take up the discourse.
81 wonder" said Miss Ann Lucretin, "What
pleasure one can take in common nrlthme-
tic: for my part, always hated it, And as
for The spelling book-why, learned all
there is in that before was seven years old"
"Well, | am willing all should follow their
tase," observed the next sister, "but MS for
myself have no notion Of giving up the ele-
CANT pursuits ofour select academy; at least,
not for common school, am sure"
"Nor, l." said Miss Matilda Vaudeville, us
usual bringing up the rear of this refined and
accomplished sisterhood go! it would he so
excessively Umgaic! Now, don't you think
so, Professor Tildeni"
"Why have only to say on the occasion,
ladies'" replied the professor, who by this time
had prepared himself for what he supposed
would be an annihilating discharge Of his
spleeU,H have only TO say thatthere are those
in the world whom you would labor in vain
in trying to impress with any sense of Tie
beauties of elegant literature"
"And there are again those, you might
justly add, sir" promptly reloiucd Locke,
whom you can never impress with any sense
of the beauties ofth sound sciences, for the
reason that they do not understand thcm."
Upon this, the professor chose to consider
himself insulted, and much Disguised wlthaI,
that he could no longer endure the presence
of hmsden. And, hastily gathering up his
hat, gloves Sc, from the table by which lis
rival had been sitting, he moved towards the
door with the show of departing, when the
three sisters with one accord rushed alter
him, and begged Of him, for their sakes, to
remain. Mrs. Carter, also, muttcring some
thing about its being very strange that some
folks could not understand their true position
in society, earnestly Joined in the request OF
her daughters. The soothed protcssor,being
thus over persuaded, returned to his seat.
And Amsden, TO relieve the company from
his presence, rose to depart. Miss Maverick,
whose pride and high sense of honor and
Justice had alike been deeply offended by
this wan,on attack on her friend, waited on
him to the door with the most marked re-
spcct: and then, returning into the room with
a face flushed with indignation, replaced the
light she had taken, and Instantly LETT the a.
partment without uttering word.
Previous TO the entrance of Amsllen and
Mary, the professor had been showing the
ladies guinea, upon the centre otwhlch had
been stamped, by some mechanic through
whose hands it had passed, probably, some
enignatical letters aud other signs. And this
coin, when the former came ill., had been
left OH the table at which the professor and
his fair friends had been sitting, and by the
side of which, when the position ofthe com
pany became thus changed, Locke happened
to he placed.
"What are you looking for, Professor Til
DEM" blandly asked Mrs Carter, she OBJ
served the former turning over the books and
other articles on the table, as ifin search of
something missing.
go, merely the little coin We were ANU
sing ourselves wilh,when our refined vistcr
who has Just left, entered the room, but il is
no matter: it is somewhcres about here pre-
sume," said the professor carelessly.
This announcement brought all the ladies'
round the table. a thorough search was
made but the coin was not 10 be found
"Let me see," said the professor, muslngy,
pretending not To remember the fact; "Who
sat down by the table when we rose, on the
entrance oithis vister?"
''Why, it was Mr. Amsden himself" replied
Mrs. Carter.
$50 il was-to be sure il vast certainly
was; and the gold piece was lying OIL the ia
bic after he came in and took that sent," sew
orally responded the sisters, exchanging sur
prised and significant chances among them
selves and with their mother. -,
81 perceive what you think, ladies' saul
the professor after permitting them to look
at each other long enough 10 rencll the con.
clusion to which he had artfully led them: 81
perceive what you think; but beg, OF you,
he coninued,w with an air of generous iornear-
ance,' beg fyou not to mention the clrcum-
stance. The little coin is really OF no sort OF
consequence to me-"
"Why should we keep it secret? | think
the fellow should be exposed 'said Mrs. Car
ter, Indignantly.
81 highly appreciate your indignation, mad-
am" replied the professor, loftly;"l wonder
not that YOU should feel such bold insult on
your house and family, TO say nothing OF the
requirements of justice. But what proof
could we make? Nothing that would answer
the law. l must therefore insist that no pub
lie charge of the kind be made"
sit is lust what should expect of a vulgar
pedagogue," exclaimed Miss Matilda Mande-
vile.
"And to think that Mary should have snt-
fored him to come here!" said another sister.
'Yes, and the girl is still attending the te-
lows school!--but that must be stopped, FAD
ded the mother.
'Perhaps that were unwse," SAID the pro
lessor, here intcrposing. "By taking tins
step,you must give her the reason, and really
ask it rs great favor that not a syllable OF
the unfortunate affair he named to her, MS 1t
would be so very mortifying to her feelings.