Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-29
Christopher CrOtchet.
BY SEBA SMITH.

T.
peculiar character; who shall venture TO de-
scribe hint During his stay in a country vii.
lage, he is the most important parsonage in it.
The common schOol-master to be sure, is a man
of dignity and importance. Children never pass
him on the road, without turning square round,
without pulling off their hats and making one of
their best and most profound bows. He is look
ed up TO with universal Difference, both by young
and old, and is often invited out to tea. Or, ifhe
"boards round," great is the parade, and great
the preparation, by each family, when their
'woek for boarding the master" draws near
Then not unfrequently, well latted porker is
killed, and the spare-ribs are duly hung round
the pantry in readiness forroasting. alfbushel
of sausages are made up into "lnks," and sus-
pended on pole near the ceiling from one end
of the kitchen to the other. And the Saturday
beforehand, If the school-master is to come in on
Monday, the work of preparation reaches its cr-
SIS. Then 1t is, that the old oven, if it be not
cheated seven times hotter than it was wont to
be-" II is at least heated seven times; and apple
Pes,a pumpkin pies, and mince pies, are turned
out by the dozens, and packed in closet and cell
lar for The coming week. And the 'fore.room" 4"
which has not had fire in it for the winter, is
now duly washed. and scrubbed and put to rights,
and wood is heaped on the fire with liberal
hand, rill the room itself becomes about another
oven. George is up betimes on Monday morn.
ing 10 60 with hand-sled and bring the masters
trunk; Betsey and Sally are rigged out in their
best calico gowns, the little ones have their faces
washed and combed with more than extraordna-
ry care, and the mothers cap has an extra crimp.
And all this stir and preparation are for the COM
mon school-master. And yet he is but an every
day planet that moves in regular orbit, and
comes round at least every winter.
But the singing-master is your true comet.
Appearing at no regular intervals, he comes sud-
denly and often unexpected. Brilliant, misteri-
rious, and erratic, no wonder that he attracts all
eyes, and produces tremendous sensaton.-
Not only the children, but the whole family,
flock TO the window when he passes, and a
lace may be seen at every pane fglass, eagerly
peering out to catch glimpse of the Singingmas-
ter. Even the very dogs seem to partake of the
awe ne inspires, and bark with uncommon fierce
ness whenever they meet him.
20, father" said little Jimmy Brown, as he
came running in the house on cold December
night, with eyes staring wide open, and painting
for breath, 40, father, Mr.. Christopher Crolchet,
from Quaverown, is over TO Mr.. Gibbs tavern,
come to see about keeping singing-school; and
Mr.. Gibbs, and whole parcel more of em wants
you to come right over there, cause they're goin'
TO have ameeung this evening to see about hiring
him."
Squire Brown and his family, all except Jim
my, were seated round the supper table when this
interesting piece of intelligence was announced.
Every one save Squire Brown himself, gave a
sudden start, and at once suspended operations;
but the Squire, who was a very moderate man,
and never did anything from impulse, ate on
without turning his head, or changing his posi-
ton. After short pause, however, which was
amoment of intense anxiety to some members
ofthe family, he replied to Jimmy as follows: 81
81 shan't do no sich thing; if they want a
singng-school, they may get one themselves. A
singing.school wont do US no good, and I've ways
enough to spend my money without paying it for
singing" Turning his head round, and casting
severe look upon Jimmy, he proceeded with in
creaS."g aug energy
"Now, sir, hang your hat up, and sit down
and eat your supper; should like TO know what
sent YOU of over to the tavern without leave"
al wanted TO see the singing-maSter," said
Jimmy; "Sam Gibbs said there was a singing
master over to their house and | wanted TO see
him."
"Well, I'll singing-master you," said the Squire,
"if catch you to go off so again without leave.
Come, don't stand there; set down and eat your
supper, or III uounce you in two minutes"
There, declare,' said Mrs. Brown, Z" | do
think it is too bad. do wish | could live in
peace one moment Of my life. The children will
be spoilt and ruined. They never can stir a step,
nor hardly breathe; but what they must be scol-
ded and fretted half to DEATH"
boI L.
sudden squalls about twenty-five years, they hav-
ing commenced some six months or so after their
marriage; and long experience had taught him
that the only way to escape with safety, was to
bear away Immediately, and scud before the
wind. Accordingly he turned again to Jimmy,
and with much softened tone, addressed him as
foows:-
"Come, Jimmy, my son, set down to supper,
that's good boy. You shouldn't 60 away with
out asking your mother or me, but you'lluy to
remember next time, won't you
Jimmy and his mother were both somewhat
soothed by this we'll timed suayity. and the boy
took his seat at the table. .....
"Now, pa" said Miss Jerusha Brown, "you
,UiH 90 over g. see about having singng-school,
won't youl want to go dreadfully."
"Oh, can't do anything about that" said the
Squire, It'll cost good deal Of money, and
can't afford it. And besides, there's no use at all
in it. You can sing enough, now, any Of you;
YOU are singing half your time"
"There," said old Mrs. Brown, "that's just
the way. Our children will never have chance
to be any thing as long as they live Other folks
children have chance to go to singing schools
and to see young company, and be something IN
the world. Here our Jerusha has got to be IN her
.r,r,tv. 9Th vnar now anil if she's ever gong TO