The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-04
St. Johnsbury, Vt December A, 184z

lightly tapped her white finger on a string OF
her guitar; "we IRE not sick, only little G,
diSha6die, us you perceive" '."'
swell, felt quite endishablo myself m
hour ago; but chance at good dish Of
wiio,s tonst for supper has overcome the fee
ing said the doctor, with apparent honesty
Of manner.
NOW how can you pretend to he so igno
rant OF elegant literature, doctor?" eXcluim.
ed MISS Angelina Louisa, gracefully flirting
her novel in her delicate hands.
"Pcrhaps the doctor don't appreciate lis,
sister," lisped Miss Matilda Vaudeville, the
Youngest Of the three, n gIrl Of about fifteen
--"iew do, you know; at least Professor Til
den says So"
90! indeed do,7 replied The doctor, with
a bow and deprecatIng smile. 81 am always
just so laundering. But now for business: |
called To say to you, Mrs. Carter lie conin-
ued, turning to that lady--"hat have sup
Piled with good tenchcr our district school,
which commences TO morrow
The speaker paused, and the lady stared
With look which seemed plainly to say,
swell, wonder what have TO do with tba?'
--'and do not know but you would feel like
pntronzing the school liulc," ut length ud-
led the speaker.
"We do patronizo it by paying half the
taxes that support it, for nught know; for /
never troubled my head 10 inquire about the
district school, ! am sure-not but what it
may be very useful for the lower cnsscs,' re-
piled the Indy, with great dignity.
"Ccrtuinly," snid the other; "and have
sometimes known good families turn in their
SONS and daughters with good advantage to
them. And thought it possible that some
of the young ladies here might be disposed
TO attend, for the sake Of looking n little into
the common sciences"
'No, thank you, doctor,"rcpled the elder
sister, with an ineffable toss ofthe head, 1--WE
are quite satisfied with our present instruc-
tor, whose select academy, believe, is allow
ed to be very diStingue."
"La, meI' cried Miss Angelina Louisa, ~
wonder what Professor Tilden would say TO
our attending district school! Come, what
60 you say TO turning in with the ragged llr-
cbins of the cdndiiie, Matilda Mandeville:n
she added giggling outright at the thought.
so, dear me! how could one be so very
vulgar" exclaimed the fair sprg of gculility
10 whom the question was put.
"And what does Miss Maverick think of
This natter" said the doctor, who, finding
rs he had been iorewarned,
with the mother and daughters, now turned
confidently 10 the niece before described;
'whai does Miss Maverick think" he rcpea-
ted with an expression which he intended
and believed she alone wonld rightly inter
pref, ''pcrhaps she is not so erudite but that
she might attend our school awhile, with
some benefit
The young lady thus addressed lifted her
clear blue eyes to The shrcwd interrogation,
and turned upon him, rs he concluded, q
look of The most searching scrutiny. The
next instant however, that look lost all its Sc
verify, and melted into a sweet, approaching
smile, that told that she had read a compi-
mcnt instead of disparagement, in the doubly
significant words of the speaker.
IL AIN quite conscious of my deficiencies
N the solid sciences, sir" she replied: card
confess have somotimGs wished for an OPP
)ortunity to study them more. If You have
I well qualified instructor, have but little
!oubt that it might he more profitable for ne"
"Now you are not in earnest, surely, arc
iou, Mary" iulerposed Miss Ann Lucretia; !
why, where can he your taste? What. |
cave our Academy Of Elegant Literature, so
Iory recherche, for a common district school, /
iled up with the mere rabbIc, and headed
" country rustic, no doubt, who perhaps /,
never trod on carpet in his llte!"
"Why, our notions vary n little in these
you know, cousin Ann" modest
y replied the former. ''But,were they alike, |
know not but ought to be willing 10 attend |
,ur district school, for the purpose of lessen
ng the burden of expense to uncle Carter,
Who has so kindly paid the high tuition which
our instructor asks, that l might have the
anne privilege with his own daughters.
81 suppose Mary wishes to keep in our Cir
lie of society" Significantly remarked tho
Id lady.
"Why, who could think Of such thing as
,oing to a district SCHOOL," said Miss Auge-
inc Louisa; u should be ashamed TO have
'eople know thought ofthc thing"
"lHdeed, so should l." chimed in the deli
ate lisper, Miss Matilda Maudevillc; "lor
ommon schoolmasters are nothing but peda-
-ogues, and they are the ones, you know,
hat Professor Tilden laughs so much about"
The conversation was here interrupted by
mother peal of the bell; and, in moment
more, the notable parsonage to whom the
oung Indies had so often alluded in the fore
,oing discussion, was shown into the apart
nent. He was man something under thir-
y, dressed in the extremes Of fashion, and
VI manners which he evidently considered
cry Chesterfcldian. lie bowed with an at
ltudc on entering; and, as soon rs he had
liscngaged himself from the three beseging
listers, who all sprang forward to meet him
It the door, he advanced to proffered seat,
With Il patronizing nod TO the doctor, n dis
ant "howd'ye do to the still seated Mary,
nd superb double congee to Mrs. Carter"
In the black bird chit chat that now sprang
Up between the sisters and their elegant pro
essor, Lincoln found opportunity to speak
With Miss Maverick alone.
'Now for your decision, Miss Mavericks"
e said.
"On the subject you Were speaking of
When he entered?" she asked; O,I have come
o no decision, sir.
"What would your father lave advised in
uch case, Miss Maverick" persisted the
ormer.
"You are quite skiIful pleudcr, doctor"
eplied the other. with melancholy, vet arch