Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-04-02

school-house which was for time to be the
scene OF her labors.
A motoly collection of urchins, male and
female, were grouped about the door, waiting
with cagerness the approach Of the school
ma'am. Ida looked at the undisciplined
troop with some misgivings as to her ability
TO keep them in order However thought
she, "there's no turning back now. might
as well put bold face upon IT,"
John parted from her at the door, leaving
her to enter unattended the temple of learn
ing, wherein for three months she was to
reign absolute mistress, accountable only to
the school committee, with whose dignifed
"cheerman' she had already made acquaint-
ance.
At ono end of the room stood rickcty
table, evidently intended for the sole use of
the sohool-ma am. Owing to the circumstance
Of one leg being shorter than its brethren, it
was necessary to cke out its deficient length
with chip. At least, such was the suggos-
tion offered by a red haired young lady, who
introduced herself as Miranda Tibbetts
Ida had never before been inside of dis
trict school-housc. The oddity Of her sur
roundings, and the thought of how horror
struck all her fashionable friends would be to
sec her in her present position, struck her so
forcibly that it was with the utmost difficulty
she could restrain her risbilitics But some
thing must be done. Tho scholars stood a.
bout her with oxpectant faces, and it was alb
solutely necessary that she should begin
school
Anxious to proceed according to rule, Ida
oecKohed TO her side the red-haired young
lauy before mentioned.
How do they usually begin school, Miriam
da:' she inquired.
Quite clatod at the idea of being applied to
by the schoolma am for information, Miriam
da answered.
Well ma'am, the first thing is to ring the
bell and make them take their seats"
But said Ida. " don't sec any bell"
"The school-ma am is expected to bring
her own bell. blevc' said Miranda
'' didn't know that" replied Ida. "I'u
bring it tomorrow. What can do now ,'
| dunno returned Miranda, "unless
you pound on the table"
Ida was obliged TO take this advice
After the school had been called to order.
Ida spent nearly al the forenoon in classify
ing her pupils, with the aid Of Miss Miranda
Tibbetts- whose vanity was not little in
creased by the prominent position to which
she was elevated as confidential adviser of the
school-ma am. However, Miranda had in
the main a very good understanding of tho
way things should be arranged, and her
counsel was not without value
When, at the close of the day. Ida was
ready to return home, she found John at the
door waiting to accompany her With this
Ida was not at all dissatisfied.
Cousin John, she had discovered. was very
agreeable as a companion. She could not
help wondering whether he. as well as his
father, had ever felt desire to bring into
the family his cousins inheritance. Cprious
upon this point. she ventured to INQUIRE If he
had seen his cousin Ida recently.
He shook his head. "Noithcr recently
nor remotely. | believe" he replied. ..Her
life runs in an entirely different channel from
mine. ! may have seen her as a boy. but |
recollect nothing Of her. At all events it
matters little to me. The fashionable life
which she leads is not at all to my taste
We have been so differently treated by for
tune, that it is scarcely possible there could
be much community of feeling between us"
What would he say" thought Ida. "if
he knew that this fashionable cousin was at
his side p
She was little piqued at tho indifference
by Johns speech, though. such is
the inconsistency of burna, ,,,trro a., ,,,o