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

bridge and bows are made of your good
ness" We called this very smart of
Mary Ellis, and admired it enthusiastical-
ly. We used TO imagine that Mr.. Gray
stayed at her desk longer when lie wrote
her copies, OR explained her geometry
propositions, from some unaccountable
reason, than he did to any of ours, and
Mary Ellis actually declared that Mr..
Gray's eyes had a peculiar expression
when Aggie Foster was reciting, but of
course it was all imagination, we thought.
Mr.. Gray "boarded round" and great
were the preparations at home, and great
the joy of the delegation from the family,
when it came their turn 10 escort the mas
ter home with them from school. .
The tea-tabc was set with mince and
pumpkin pie, doughnuts. cheese, dried
beef, pickles, and from two 10 five kinds
of preserves. The more viands the table
could be made to contain, the better, for
no precious culinary stores were spared
when Mr.. Gray came. The parents ad.
mired him as much as The scholars, for
he had kind word and a cordial smile
for all, from the old grandmamma, hold
ing her knitting work in the corner, with
thin and wthered fingers. 10 the innocent
baby creepin 6 about the floor He could
talk of politics and agricultural improve
ments with the fathers. with as much ease,
and to as perfect satisfaction, as he could
invent new games, and tell little stories
for the children. In short, all regarded
him as a paragon of teachers, and the
most charming of men. Joseph Gray
was indeed a pattern young man. He
had come into the town the week before
school was to commence, and stopped at
the village inn. None kne from whence
he came or whittier he was going. he did
not take pains to crafty any ones curios-
ity on these points.
When school meeting night came, and
the committee men of Milvood district
assembled in the old school house Joseph
Grey presented himself there as n candi-
date for the office Of teacher. He de-
clined presenting testimonials, acknowl-
edged huns elf stranger 10 all in the
town but asked for a months trial, and il
at the end of that period the district were
not satisfied, he would resign the situa-
ton, and require no compensation for
the months time. This was rather sim
gular proposal, but it was very gener-
Gus one certainly; and after some consul
tation, Deacon Sykes and Squire Ellis
agreed to install Mr., Gray lord and SOW
ereign over our seven by nine school
house. Mr. Grey had informed the com
mittee that lie was as well qualified for
the post as district school teachers are
generally expected to be, and express
sed himself ready for an examination
Armed with formidable array OF geog'
raphy and arithmetic Mr.. Ellis and Major
Thornton commenced operations They
considered themselves an examining com
mittee "par excellence" an fat, at all
puzzling questions. and attacks upon
points least expected. Many poor youth
had they led into an arithmelical or gram
m atcal quagmire, in which he foundered
and vanly endeavored to escape. This
time they had found their match. Mr.
Gray was little more than enough fol
both of them. Ready on every subject
prompt and clear with an answer to the
most far fetched question, the committee
vainly tried to "trip him up with an ari'h
melical problem, or turn geographical
stumbling block in his way. Majo
} Thornton's great gun the famous plase
, sum, among the miscellaneous question:
in Adams Arithmetic, was fred off il
such an expert and mastery manner lha
it provoked an emphatic expression OF ad
miralon from that gentleman, and tht
proposition of Euclid, the triangle de
scribed in circle, another bugbear, wal
vanquished in an equally sure and speed.
manner. Squire Ellis took off his spec
tacles, Major Thornton looked at Squir
Ellis, and that gentleman returned tn
compliment. The looks said as plainl
as words, al am perfectly satisfied ar
not you :" In fact they were both de
lighted, and decided that if Mr.. Gray
governing talents were as good as hi
book learning, Millwood district had gain
ed treasure indeed. The school wen
on as have before described it. Dismis
' Mr.. Gray indeed Every day he increas
, ed in value, and every day we loved hir
r better. ~" l#Niu
1t was a perfect delight to look at hr
1 for he was very handsome. A broad in
r tellectual brow, from which masses OF ra
!, ven hair were carlessly thrown back
e eyes glorious with the light Of enthus
r asm and feeling; mouth which ia
s sweetness we thought could not be sui
passed, and you have his portrait. MI
!. Joseph Gray and his perfections forme
4 a subject for perpetual discussion in th
! councils Of that august body, "our cal
+ met" We might start upon themes Q
d far removed from it as the Black Sea
. from Lake Superior, but by some strang
i and irresistible influence we always cam
I round to Mr. Gray at last. "'5t " ~.
J. How amused he would have been if h
!. had heard our nonsense. We used
. wonder if his right ear ever troubled BIZ
e with certain burning sensation wbic