American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-21
CHAPTER III.

"Wel, we shall see" said Lucy.
CHAPTER H.
The Thornton District, as it was called, was
very small and contained but one or two wealthy
families. The school money" was SO trifing
that it was scarce sufficient to initiate the rising
generation into the mysteries of reading, writ
ing, and cyphering. In order to make the most
Of it, the custom prevailed from time immemo-
rial of giving the board Great account was
made among these rural people of boarding
the school ma'am. Preparations were com
menced several days before the arrival Of the
important person, and carried on with the most
untring zeal--whilst every child looked for
ward to the time as jubilee equal to Thanks
giving and independence day.
A week or so after the occurrences related in
the foregoing chapter, an uncommon hustle
commenced in the squires house. Lucy had
been wakened from her dreams long before the
first streak of daylight appeared in the east,
and told "to make haste, for they had every
thing to do that day to get ready for the school
ma'am." Mrs. Thornton could be seen hurry
ing to and fro, enveloped in an enormous check
apron; sounds of beating, stirring, and rolling
proceeded from the pantry Old Joe Simons,
the man Of all work, was dismissed from his
woodchopping, and sent to help the 'swomen
folks the whole day. The havoc carried on in
the store-room was frightful. Flour, sugar, but
ter eggs, ETC., disappeared with fearful rapidity,
but assumed, however, more tempting shape
under the skilful management Of Mrs. Thornton.
Old Joe carried on merciless slaughter among
the poultry. Deafening cries resounded from
the precincts of the barn, as some promising
captives were marched off to adorn the trium-
phal approach of this rapacious teacher, or
when the bloodthirsty Joe again appeared with
clubs, to prosecute yet further his ravages among
their flying ranks. One would never have
guessed that such preparations were intended
for the entertainment of a single individual: had
a marching regiment designed to partake of the
worthy farmers hospitality, very little more
could have been necessary for their sustenance.
The closet-shelves actually groaned beneath the
weight of the provisions. There were rows Of
apple and pumpkin pies, cup cake, gingerbread,
cookies, doughnuts, custards, and puddings, be-
sides the indispensable brown bread and beans,
and the carcasses of Joes poor victims sus-
pended around the walls.
Lucy had special charge of the cleaning de-
partment. Every room was carefully swept
\ and busted, but her chief energies were ex-
erted in arranging the "spare bedroom" for
it's expected occupant. The curtains and table
cover were Of spotless white. The bed, decked
tastefully in quilt of her own piecing, loomed
half way up to the ceiling in the profusion of
feathers. The andirons were rubbed and po-
lished, with the wood and kindlings placed on
them ready to light fire at moments warn
ing. Lucy cast a satisfied glance around the
room after the pleasant task was finished, gave
a last rub to the looking glass, busted for the
third time the old fashioned mantel- piece, and
pronounced every thing in order.
ITO be continued)