Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-02-02
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE VILLAGE QUEEN.
BY SYLvANUs CoBB, JR.

splendid specimens of chirography which
were hung up in the Post Office, and in
the principal store; and with them were
notices announcing that Charles Hoffman
would open an evening school, for the
purpose of teaching penmanship, on the
following Monday. Ladies and Gentle
men were both invited to attend.
Monday evening came; and the vii
iage school room, which had been secured
for the purpose, was we'll filled with boys
and young men, girls and maideas.-
Mr. Hoffman made his appearance, and
by the time he had spoken a dozen words
the scholars all liked him. He was a
young man not more than fiye-and-twen-
ty, with features of more than ordinary
manly beauty; eyes of rich, deep dark
hazel; high, full, open brow of remark
able fairness, above which the rich glossy
brown hair lay III the most loyeable ring
lets. HIS form was manly, tall, stout
and nobly proportioned; and his voice
and manner of speaking, won upon his
hearers at once.
He commenced the duties Of the eve
ming by giving out the books, and among
the oldest scholars the whisper went
around that he couldn't calulate to make
much By SO small tuition fee, and serv-
ing such books out for nothing. How
ever they went to work and their teach
er was not long in proving himself capa-
bic and faithful.
Among the scholars was Mabel Win
ship. She was the acknowledged beauty
of the place, and from her purity Of mind
and sweetness of disposition, added to her
beauty, she had gained the title of the
"Village Queen" And yet no one was
Jealous of her. Had she been vain, or
exhibited any pride in her acknowledged
position, it might have been different
But Mabel was always the same meek
mid, generous creature, and everybody
loved her. None envied her beauty
many a mother prayed her daughters
might be like he
After week the writing master seem
ed to have taken a peculiar interest in
Mabel. He did not grant her any more
attention than he did the others while
the school was in session; but then his
bearing towards her was more deferential
and his voice sank to a lower, stranger
tone,when he addressed her. One evening
he walked out from the school house with
her, and asked her if he might have the
pleasure Of remaining by her side till she
Reached home. She could not refuse
this, for there was something in Hof-
mans tone and bearing which assured
her that she had nothing to fear.
So they walked on together, aud Ma
bel walked very slowly without seeming
to notice it. She was charmed with her
companions conversation il was so differ
ent from what she had been used to
hearing. Not that it was more pure or
noble; but then it had a peculiar refine
ment, a sort Of deferential delcacy, and
a richness of intellect an moral power
which were new 10 her. She soon learn
ed to respect him deeply, and there was
a pleasurable emotion in the thought that
one so noble, and handsome, and refined
should seek her society for his own good
And so Mabel again accepted the writ
ing masters companionship. And again
and again. At length she asked him to
call upon her and spend the evening with
herself and mother.
Of course he did so. He found Mrs.
Winship to be a widow, with Mabel for
an only child and when he had spent an
evening with her he did not wonder that
the daughter was pure and elevated in
thought and feeling.
"lsn't he good young man, my moth
er 2" said Mabel, after Charles Hoffman
was gone.
'sHe IS, truly" the widow responded.
And as she gazed into her daughters
face she was sure she saw tear in her
mild bright eye. But she made no re-
mark thereon.
The writing school was near It's close,
and all the scholars, young and old, were
very sorry. They had learned to love
their generous teacheran they liked not
to part with him. Mabel and Hoffman
were walking home together. y silence
of some moments was broken BY the latter.
''Mabel," he said 8" am an orphan.
For several years l have been alone in
the world, and am sadly in want of some
thing to iove-someihing which can love
me and appreciate the love | could return.
| am poor now-very pooc-but with such
a companion as l seek shall be very hap
; nv Mahal. will You not be that cornnan-