Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-11
L % L SIN JOHN

some tOwn-resldence. Unfortunately for her, the
highest gifts of nature and fortune do not neces-
sarlly produce happiness. and Ida, was at that
moment painfully sensible Of feeling of list
lessness and discomfort, foI which she was
puzzled to account
Her medltatiOns were interrupted by the en-
trance Of a servant with a letter. The address
Miss Ida ClaibOrne'-in its deficiency of
capitals and rough ehirography, clearly enough
evInced that the writer was by no means an
adept with the pen. Ida glanced at the post
mark, Pineyille." and Onjectured without
much difficulty that the missve was from her
uncle jeremiah, Aourishing farmer in that
most countrifed Of villages
With not little curiosity, for this was the
first letter with which her worthy uncle had
ever favored her. she hastily opened it, and read
what. errors excepted, was meant to be as fol-
lows:
DEAR NIECE: take up my pen to write
you short letter, hoping that this will find
you well and hearty. Your aunt is pretty
smart, except the rheumatic which she some
times has pretty bad. Your cousin John-I
believe you never saw him-has Just got home
from college and settled down for doctor in
Pineville. 1 guess he'll get along pretty we'll
by-and-by. when folks sees that he knows a
thing or two, if he is old Jeremiah's son.
should like to have you see him. Why can't
you come down and pay us visit, We haven't
seen you since you was five years old. Guess
you We changed some since then. Write sOon
and let me know if you can come.
90, L almost forgot to write one thing that
perhaps you can help US about. We want
young woman to keep the school in our dee
strict this winter. The deestrict they appoint
ed me Prudential Committee, and so it's my
duty to get somebody. It's most time for
school to begin, and l haint found anybody to
come yet. pde't you know Of somebody that
would take it, The wages are a dollar and
fifty cents per week and board. She will board
mo yyIll "a
very important, I sign myself,
"YOur affectionate uncle.
Jeremiah HAYDEN"
Pretty well, uncle jerry" thought Ida, as
she folded up the letter; " so you want me to
see =. Cousin John" do you? Is it possible
most diSinterested uncle, that you think nv
property, which is much greater than deserve,
would be q very comfortable dOwry for John 3
wife, However, l should like to meet him,
just to see what sort Of person my country
cousin may be. y
She glanced at the latter part of the letter
once more.
So they want me to hunt up "deestrict'
school teacher, Who, for the muniicent sum of
one dollar and 4 half, with board, will consent
TO enlighten the rising generation of Pineyille
/ really don't know how / can accommodate
them, unless 60 myself"
She laughed at the idea, but moment af-
terwardS exclaimed, gaily:
After all, why shouldn't T. Here / am
Ianguishing in the city for the want of little
excitement. WOuldn it be capital idea to
introduce myself under an assumed name to
my worthy uncle's family, and as an humble
schOOl-mistress. to become an actor and obser-
yer in scenes which are quite shut out from Ida
Claiborne the heiressI'
This idea so rapidly conceived, doterm-
ined upon with equel rapidity. Drawing her
writing-desk towards her, she hurriedly wrote
the following note:
DEAR UNCLE: / was gratiied to hear
from YOU BY this mornings mail. as my prompt
reply will convince you. L regret that other
engagements will prevent me from accepting
your kind imitation. for the present, at least.
In regard to the school, have a young friend.
Jerusha Hall, who has agreed to take charge of
the school for which you are seeking teacher.
Having been long acquainted with her, can
speek with some confidence Of her competency to
nil the situation. Please write at once, and
let me know how soon you wish her TO CON-
mence the school. IDA.
After sealing and despatching this letter, Ida
sat down and yielded herself mp to uneontrolla-
bic mirth.
..Jerusha Hall, 1 iatter myself L could not
have selected more beftting name for school
ma am. Having been long acquainted with
her at least, am secure from fbbing in that
particular. though whether it is precisely mod
est to speak so confidently of my own competen-
cy, Is another matter. If reminds Inc of stu
dent who, on entering college. was required to
bring with him certificate OF moral character.
Having unfortunately lost the one furnished by
mis- teacher he undertook to supply the def
cheney by writing one for himself, but was in
formed that itwas slightly contrary to usage to
receive such testimonial"
Ii occurred to Ida that il was necessary to
produce an entirely new wardrobe, since, how
ever complete and elegant her present one,
rich silks and Partisan laces would look slight
ly out Of place in Miss Jerusha Hall, a school
ma am with an income of one dollar and fifty
cents per week and found She accordingly
started on shopping excursion, from which
she returned in a short time, after ordering
home several cheap gilghans and ealicoes, and
other articles to correspond.
Her dressmaker, ModemoiseIle Fanchette
turned up her eyebrows in mingled surprise
and disdain as she beheld the pebian articles
on which she was To display her professional
skill
apparently she remarked, 'mademois-
ellie intends to retire from the world
Just -, was the reply: " but only for sea-
son little masquerading, that is all. But,
however common the materials, / could not
consent to tOregO your skill in the making up
Deciding at once that ii was a young ladys
whim, and Modified by the compliment the
fashionable dressmaker set to with a will. and
few days beheld Ida Claiborne ready, as Je-
rusha Hail. TO set out for the field of her labors
John, said Farmer Hayden to his son, the
newly hedged doctor, =. wish you'd go up to
the village in time to meet the stage. / ex-
pect Miss Hall will come tonight
The new schOOlmistreSsl'' uueried John.
. Yes" said his father, Z" the one that Ida
recommended =
- That IS her first name?' asked the young
doctor, carelessly.
q" Jerusha-Jerusha Hail.
- Humph, it might have been better How
ever, am quite at her service" And John
proceeded to the yard harness the horse,
The numbering stage-cOaeh, for Pineville
was not OF sufficient Importance to require
railrUad, jolte1 Ida most numerically, and
but Tor her engagement, she might have been
almost inclined to forego her plan, and given
up forever her persOnatiOn of a country school
ma am There was only one other passenger
pTSlde herself, a man Of ample proportions,
;, VINO, having become apparently weary Of look
prOtracted stare AZ Ida