True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-06-17

terious as il had been at school. Nobody
could get him to talk. His cup of tea
was untouched, and all he did was to
keep up appearances with piece Of bis
cult and butter in one hand, and pretend.
ed TO eat preserved plums with the other.
Tea over, that gentleman, telling Carrie
with bland smile he was going out, ask
ed her for his hat As soon as she had
brought it, he seized it with nervous haste
and escaped from the house. Carrie be-
gan to guess al the state Of matters, and
she rightly guessed, Mr.. Gray was in
love with Agnes. No wonder he was
absent minded, poor man. Young gen.
tlemen in his state of mind are apt to be,
and Carrie went about washing the tea
dishes, wishing Mr.. Gray success, and
fancving how happy Agnes would be
with him. r. ..... ..
Mr.. Gray made the best Of his way to
Mrs. Fosters abode, and his hand lrenbl-
ed as he knocked at the door. Agnes
opened it; "How kind you are, Mr..
Gray" said she "my mother will be
very glad TO see you.' -.
STOPPING his head 10 enter the low door
Of the sitting room, he took chair beside
Mrs. Foster, who thanked him with ear.
nestness for his kindness in coming to
them. ..... .......s... ....
"Listen to me few moments, Mrs,
Foster" said he, "and perhaps you will
alter your opinion of the dsinterested be-
nevolence you say Ipossess. lam come
not to restore you treasure, but to ask
one Of you. You know the scripture
proyerb, from him that hath not, shall be
taken away, even that which he hath .
Mrs. Foster was speechleSs with aston
isbment. Mr.. Gray's eyes looked 70
Agnes. She was sitting the other sid
of The room leaning her elbow on the ia
ble; the color coming and going on he
sweet face. Mr.. Gray continued: "Al
low me 10 tell you a short story. | cam
to Millwood an utter stranger 10 all it
good people. I came, seeking TO escape
from the emptiness of fashionable life
[ wanted 10 find rest, and a refreshin.
change, in quiet, simple life, in coun
try village, and see # could be loveC
and esteemed for myself alone. Why
should my wealth and position forever b.
my only title to public favor! l present
ed myself as district school teacher
and was accepted. No time in my lifi
has been happier to me than this winter
for I have felt q thousand times repaid 70
the sacrifice / have made, in assuming
humber capacity than l ever dreamed
could fill conlentedly, by the love | fee
sure my beloved pupils have felt for me
and the kindness have found everywhere
And my dear madam, "Mr, Gray's voic
became more earnest, II seek you
daughter, and l ask you to give her I
me as one Of the richest treasures eve
can possess. If | can teach her 10 Low
me-" and he turned with a passionat
glance to Agnes, who sat trans6xed wit
astonishment, "l promise to devote m
life to make her happy. Will you Civ
her to me, if she herself is not averse t
the transient" W, ...
The widow sat silent. She could nc
speak. At last she said: " You ar
too kind. too generous. l cannot realiz
all this. Agnes must decide. If sh
} loves you as you desire, we are too hap
py )" and she left the room to hide he
emotion. ".s gr #a
"Agnes," said Mr.. Gray, "you bav
heard my story. have sometimes fal
cied that as schoolmaster could wi
your love shall fail 10 do so in my ne,
capacity :" and again his eyes seemed
: read her very soul.
Agnes made great effort 10 spea
calmly "Mr. Gray" she said, "ho
could help loving you long ago' Bl
| am not fit TO be your bride--I am
simple country girl know nothing
! the world and should disgrace you
your own rank. ! am not worthy
: you"
D "Let me be the Judge Of that" sal
g Joseph Gray, holding fast both her hand
D elf you can love me, that is all ask
, To be loved for myself alone is Il
a proudest joy that could ever come to n
' heart. Dear Agnes you have made n
t happier than ever dreamed l could be
# The next day the story went ffyil
all over the village, chow the scho
d teacher had turned out to be very Ri
J. man, who had only taught school becau
d he liked it, and not at all for the eighte'
It dollars month";" " How he had offe
It ed himself TO sweet Agnes Foster, al
/. been accepted, and her mother had co
= cluded not to 60 west at present q
chow Agnes would live in a magni6ce
n house, and need not lift finger" E
/, erybody rejoiced at Agnes's good fortur
= You can immagine there was quite
h exiting time at the next meeting of I
e cabinet, and many significant looks WI
Is launched from roguish eyes at poor A
,e gle, who endured them with the patier
0, Of martyr.
ID School closed and Mr.. Gray W,
q away. In two or three days came
J. thick letter directed 10 "Miss Agnes +,
is ter Millwood," in the same grace
ie hand that wrote the copies in our witt
8. books. .''o' 4