Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-02-11

right source, had turned 10 the wldness o.
her despair. 10 the intoxicating cup. Now
silent her husband 10 druuksrd's grave, and
ONLY Mary was left her, and though she low
ed The child. the force of long continued
habits clupg tenaciously TO her. There
were no temperance societies there, aud the
case Of the confirmed inebriate was viewed
as hopeless.
But Mrs. Lees heart was not al all hard,
and as ACME talked So respectfully, even
tenderly, TO her, and spoke in glowing terms
Of LILLE Mary's loveliness, a feeling slightly
kin TO hope and pride, crept through her
desolate heart, and she wished (oh! how
vaiuly) that she could forget her own degra-
dalton. And then, when Aonie's swan like
notes noated out upon the air in words that
brealhsd Of new life aud hope for the poor
inebriate, she wept, yes, and hers were re-
pentant tears.
Mr.. Larkins, too, who, wheo it had first
been announced tina, Annie would sing, had
turned suddenly away. declaring that he
would mol hear any OF that nonsense, not he,
indeed as the soft, sweet sounds fell upou
bis ear, had been drawn nearer and still near
er, as though under the influence of pow
erful psychologist, and now he stood close
To the spot from whence the sounds pfocee-
ded, bending forward with breathess ankle
". one ear upturned. as il fearing of losing
a single note. Not gill recently had he
learned Of the new arrangement Tor singing
during recess, and not ill to-day had he re-
uuesied the committee man TO put stop
10 such nonsense Ii seems needless To
say that the request was never repeated; and
though Mr.. Larkins old not say 1t publicly,
he acknowledged TO himself, that OF all the
good aud pleasant things Of that day, the
singing was the best.
Just as DIR. Green, Mr.. Forlescue and An
ME were discussing, in an under tone, the
power OF moral suasioD, in the very midst oil
the happy assembly, Ned Parsons father.
who had not before had an opportunity OF
greeting Annie, advanced, and grasped her
hand with such warmth. that with difficulty
she suppressed an exclamsti ton OF pain.
How dye do, school narm,' said he;
have been trying TO get a chance To see You
all day. | wanted TO tell you what good
boy you have made of my Dick. | am so
much OBJ eyed To YOU for that thtashlng you
gln him. 70 be sure his mother telt con
siderable bad when she saw the blood but |
told her that you had sarved him right jest
right
Annie retreaed few steps. and looked
him in the face with bewildercd astonish
ment, while Dick, poor Dick. groaned aloud.
The doctor aud his friend, noticing her
embarrassment. though greatly surprised. en-
deavored TO change the subject by propo
si,on to swing. But Mr.. Parsons was in
earnest. and would not be interrupted
Dick continued he, 'rosred, l tell you,
aud declared he would never 60 TO your
school again. l didn't know but shouid
have 10 gin him another bssIing, 10 make
/ 4 A I han
he is row, and lay il to that, for you know
Solomon saws, IS pare the rod and spile The
chN' I'm his way Of thinking, and don't
believe ia PLAYING with boys polher.'
True. ueighbor Lafkins,' remarked far
mer GoodweI and right glad was TO see
my Job come home with a bloody nose
You did Jest right, schoomarm he'd no
business interfering when you undertook to
give bad boy decent thrashing, and il dun
um good. every soul on um. IL they had
got the upper hand on you then, we should
have had a broken school, that's for sartin.
But dou't understand you, said Annie,
recovering somewhat.
'Ah. you've forgot il, then, but the boys
aint, III warrant you said farmet Good
well, looking at her with patronizing smile.
'Whsl shall we do!' said boding Bill.
It's all out, now, and we must do the best
we can,' replied Mike, Own up
Boys asked Annie, turning TO them with
a look OF perplexity, what does this meant
The moment she saw their pale and anxious
countenances, she was convinced that they
well understood the mystery, and she re-
solved not TO press an investigation. Tor she
felt unwilling that day. opening under such
bright auspices, should terminate sortowIul
ly.
But the bold and far seeing Mike knew
very well that an explanation must come,
and believing this TO be the most favorable
opportunity. related the whole story, in his
usual witty and comical style, only interrupt
ed by the irrepressible laughter OF his anus
ed auditors. Ii was all quite new 10 the doc
tor and his friend, as we'll as to Annie, and
a, each fresh disclosure they looked al each
other with merrlment that scarce knew
bounds. The doctor ever aud anon exclaim
ed, Capital! bright boys, brave ooysl we'll
thought Of! III risk them any where!-
When Nike had finished hls story, and the
peals Of laughter which had almost rocked
the trees Dsd died away, farmer GoodweIl
struck his caae good-naturedIy IutO the
ground, and cried, 'Ha. hs, hs, that's good
one for sariIn.'
'All of that, and no mistake said Parsons,
as he wiped away the tears Wnlcn MS Vlo-
lent laughter had produced.
And now, said tue doctor, smiling as he
LAID hand on shoulder OF each, i shall
never again expect TO hear you advocating
the 'cowhIde;' and pray you, don't send of
Miss Harlow, because of the great rruth
Iha; something beside bIstersd hands and
broken noses has made your boys what they
are--ornaments to the place.
NO danger Of that they leplied; she's
one first-rste schoolmarm, sad we want TO
keep her hero always.
Fine boys, fine boys, said DR.. Green. as
he looked round upon them, laying hand
affecliona,sly upon the head Of Mike and
Job.
The boys returned from the picnic. re-
joiciug at the unexpected result Of their
rogueish plot, a result which had only in-
creased the merrimenl OF the occasion.
I..l -. 10 ,..fa foA