The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-02-26

| sHow dye do, schoolmarm, said he;
Ihave been trying to get 9 chance toisee
you, all day. wanted to tell you what a
good boy you have made of my Dick.
am so much obliged to you for that thrash
ing you gin him. To be sure, his mother
felt considerable bad when she saw the
blood. But l told her you sarved him
right. jest right !ssp7'i as.3s sat1al
Annie retreated few steps, and looked
him in the face with bewildered astonish-
ment, while Dick, poor Dick, groaned
aloud.
| The doctor and her friends, noticing
her embarrassment, though greatly sur.
prised, endeavored to change the subject
by proposition to swing. But Mr.. Par.
sons was in earnest, and would not be in
terupted. Dick continued he, 'roared,
tell you, and declared he would never
60 to school again. didn't know but
should have to gin him another basting, to
make him come. A better boy never see,
than he is now, and l lay it to that, for
you know Solomon says, Spare the rod
and spile the child.' I'm his way Of think
ing, and | don't believe in playing with
boys nother.'
'True, neighbor Larkins,' remarked
farmer Goodwell, 'and right glad was ! to
see my Job come home with bloody nose.
You do jest right, schoolmarm, he'd no
business interfering when you undertook
to give bad boy decent thrashing, and
it done um good, every soul on um. II
they had got the upper hand on you then,
we should have had a broken school,
that's for sartin.' ea
But don't understand you, said An.
ME, recovering somewhat.
'Ah, you've forgot it, then. but the boys
aint, I'll warrant you,' said farmer Good.
well, looking at her with patronizing
smile.
.What 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 look Of perplexity, 'what does this
mean2' The moment she saw their pale
and anxious countenances, she was con.
vinced that they well understood the mys.
terry, and she resolved not 10 press an in
vestigation. for she felt unwilling that day
opening under such bright auspices, should
terminate sorrowfully ,a1 5.s 4, ty.,
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 inter-
rupted by the irrepressible laughter of his
amused auditors. 1t was all quite new to
the doctor and his friend, as well rs to
Annie, and at each fresh disclosure they
looked at each other with merriment that
scarcely knew bounds. The doctor ever
and anon exclaimed, Capital! bright boys,
brave boys! well thought Of! I'll risk
them anywhere!' When Mike had fin.
ished his story, and the peals Of laughter
which had almost rocked the trees had
died away, farmer Goodwell struck his
cane good naturedly into the ground, and
cried, 'Ha, ha, ma, that's good one for
certain
IAN of that, and no mistake said Par
sons, as he wiped away the tears which
his violent laughter had produced.
And now,' said the doctor, smiling, as
he laid hand on the shoulder Of each, Il
shall never again expect to hear you advo.
eating the 'cowhide;' and | pray you,
don't send off Miss Harlow, because Of
the great truth that something beside the
blistered hands and broken noses has
made your boys what they are ornaments
10 the place. ' go
mo danger Of that they replied; she's
| one first rate schoolmarm, and we want to
keep her here always '+"
my mudder is Sick said Mary Lee,
sorrowiully, 'and she il doing to de-
With an anxious heart, Annie fastened
to her.
Mrs. Lee was stretched on her coarse,
but clean bed, pale and emaciated. AN.
gel OF light she exclaimed, extending 10
Annie her thin hand, 4 knew you would
come. | am sick, very sick. cannot
live but a little while: yet do not weep, ra.
ther rejoice. My sins are forgiven, and |
shall soon be at rest nai ais lEa
| From that time Annie devoted her eve.
ry leisure moment to the sick woman. She
ministered to her temporal necessities with
ready skill. She smoothed her pillow, and
cooled her burning brow, with her soft
hand. She read to her, prayed with her,
and the same gentle voice whose sweet
songs had aroused her from a fearful leth-
argy, soothed and cheered her passage to
the grave The benevolent DR.. Green, too,
was constant in his attention, and Mr..
Fortescue, who, now that Annie was so
deeply engaged, felt quite lonely, visited
the sick woman often.
.Ah,' said Mrs. Lee, on one Of these oc.
casions, she is an angel, and though
may not hope to reward her, Heaven sure
lly. will. Night after night has she hung
over me, refusing one moments rest; a!or
she we'll knows that no hand can deal so
Itenderly with this wasted frame as her
Town. Others are kind, but ah! there are