Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-17
gtletteN Gale.
CRESS
By COUSIN EMMA.

So this is my dominion" said ayoung man,
half aloud, glancing around him with an EXPIRES
sion of infinite amusement on his fine features.
He had Just gained the brow of long hill, and
stood facing the low, red building, with its well
cut door, and dingy windows which he had
been informed was the village school house
the scene of his labors during the coming
winter
Inthe summer time when the dropping branch
eg of the old elms that stood near were covered
with their rich display of green it might have
been pleasant place enough but now it was
the picture Of desolatiOn. Not green leaf on
the trees-n0t flower by the wayside-not a
patch Of blue sky above, a heart less joyous
than Fred Leicester would have sunk at once
but in proportion as the face Of nature became
rlcudCd and chilling his face became sunny
and genial and therefore when he pushed open
the door, and walked into the school-room
there was q smile lurking in his dark eyes, and
about the corners Of his handsome mouth.
Within it was more cheerful, for in the huge
fire place a pile of logs cracked fiery music, and
great companies Of sparks kept time as they
sailed up the dark chimney. From the rows Of
uncomfortable seats very quiet, inquisitive faces
looked forth upon the new master, as he took
his seat at the time-wOrn desk, which 50 MANY
had first occupied before him. Just so had the
children watched " old Durphey" the eager
morning he kept school, and just so had they
watched tall, red-haircd Master Snapcm." who
had proved himself very tyrant-and just so
had they watched Il score Of others, whose
reirns had been short bat terrible. The dis
trict school of Saxton had the reputation Of be-
thn Iiff;cuIt IN or rniIaS
around, and not teacher had entered it for
years who had not felt that severity must be his
watchword but Fred Leicester, Just fresh from
college, and with the recollection Of boy-hood
that delighted in mischief, fresh in his mind,
had determined to try another method. His
first glance at the rows of boys and girls took
their hearts by storm-hiS first act, which was
to take from two nails behind his chair bun
die of willow rods, and deliberately throw them
into the fire brought forth from their ready lips,
one hearty simultaneous hurra for the new
MaSter,' and his first words now my young
friends brought them ell in crowd around
ms chair, where each shook his hand in turn,
and felt that Mr.. Leicester was his own cSpc-
cal and particular friend henceiorth.
There was one child in the room who kept
hcr seat IN silence during the whole scene, and
towards her the master looked enquiringly
It's only Crcssy" said a tall boy, observing
the motion, she's the queerest thing you ever
saw. don't believe YOU can make her speak
TO you at all, she don't speak to anybody-shos
real ugly"
Whatever Mr. Leicester thought, he evinccd
no desire to make her speak, but busted himself
win arranging his classes, and testing their
aoilily. He discovered in many Of the boys
degree Of mental strength which at first
glance at their, for the most part, unprepOs-
seSsing features he would have deemed impos-
A1le, and in the very shyness Of the girls he
saw much natural refinement and womanli-
ness, that would repay him for any amount of
.aoor that he might spend upon their cultiva
ton
lie felt that it was a great thing to have
gained their hearts, as he had done, and now
ne had only TO keep the advantage. and right
peasant winter must cnsuc. These were his
thoughts as he walked briskly towards the inn
EAere he was stopping until he could find a
BOARDING place, and he needed not the drifting
y'oadS, nor the piercing north wind though it
ofoVe full in his face
AT the door Of the inn stood its owner-a
559.taced, jolly-looking man, with his hands in
.S pockets, and pipe in his mouth which he
'Ook ont as the yOung man approached him.
I've seen Mrs. Grey this morning" he said
'uoehing the ashes from his pipe, and laying it
Va shelf behind him. She says she will take
you to her house to board for two dollars a
''''r WOOD. ii2b'y arI washing included