Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-08-09
MRS. WALKER's BETSY.


1t is now nearly ten years since became
summer "fxture" in the little village of Cliff
spring, as teacher in its largest public school,
The village itself was devoid of the smallest
pretensiun to beauty, natural or architectural,
being the sudden upgrOloh Of pro sperous spec.
ulstion, and at that time rejoicing in its new
ness offactory chimneys and ourously iilagreed
depots But all its surrounding were romantic
and lovely in the extreme. Skrting one side
was winding river, boTdered with beautiful
willows, and ON the other high hill, thckly
wooded, and in many places craggy and precip-
itous. These woods, in spring and summer
were full of flowers and wild vines and clear,
cold stream, that had its birth in cavenous
recess among the lodges dashed over the rocks
and after many wonderful bends and plunges,
found its way TO the river. At the foot of the
hill wound the railroad track; at some points,
nearly filling the space between the brook and
the rocks; at others, almost Oyerhung blythe
latter. Some OF the most delightful walks ]
ever knew were in this vicinity, and here the
whole school would often resort in the warm
weather for Saturdays ramble
1t was upon ore OF these summer rambles
that first made the acquaintance of Mrs Walk
ers Betsy. Not that her unenyiabe name and
reputation had been concealed from my know
ledge heretofore, for almost from my first intro
ducton TO that place, steam of obloquy, touch
ing that uulucky parsonage, had been poured in
my ears, till her name seemed synonym for
everything evil. It was the one subject upon
which churches, and sewing societies, and
neighborhood cliques, were not divided; upon
which gOssips we're harmonious, and quiet peO-
pie garrulous. But as she was not member
of my class, and, indeed, a very irregular at.
tendant OF any class, she had never personally
fallen under my observation.
! L Il Al l. A.. Ill Ls.k Ia
come to live in Cliff spring, that they were both
ignorant and vicious, and that the girl, who,
after all, was only Mrs. Walkers by former
marriage, was an arrant compound sf mischief
aud malce--a sort Of goblin sprite, with such
prociyties to diabolsm as had never been
known since the era Of witchcrait.
In school, her reputation was worst Of all
Was a green pumpkin found in the principals
hat, or an ink bottle upset in the water bucket
did teacher, upon putting on her bonnet, find
a nest Of young mice suddenly dropping owe
her neck and shoulders, her shawl extra bOr
dered with burdocks, her gloves filled with som,
ilLscented weed, or her India ubbers cunningll
nailed TO the hoOT--half hundred juyenil
tongues were ready to proclaim Mrs Walker
Betsy as the undoubted delinquent and this deE
! pite the fact that very few Of these misde
meanors were ever proved upon her. But wheth
er proven or not, she accepted their sponsor
ship all the same, and laughed at or defed he
accusers, as her mood might be. That tn
girl was q character in her way, shTewd an
2 sensible, though wholly unoultured, was wei
satisfied from all l heard, that she was sly
stubborn, and malicious, believed, / am ashanl
ed to say, upon very insufficient evidence.
Where can my parasol have Ronel" l said
as school closed one sultTy July day, and
looked FROM the window Of the ante-room
shrinking from an unsheltered walk in th
fierce heat ! was sure l had not carried
= from home in the morning, and SUPPOSED il ha
. been left in the school house over night III
girls of my class constituted themselves a con
u mittee Of search and inquiry, but 10 40 pul
pose. The article was not in the hou9e or var,
and then my committee changed themselvs
into Jury, and, without a dissenting Voio
pronounced Mrs. Walkers Betsy guilty
'cnbbing' my poor little sunshade She ha
, been seen lettering in the ante room, and a
terward running away in great haste II
i charge seemed reasonable enough, but as ! Icou
he not learn that Betsy had ever been convicted
" a theft, though continually suspected, l r
= quested the girls TO keep the matter quiet
r a few days At least, 70 which they unwilling
a consented.
m' That evening had promised TO conduct n
Qlass 70 place in the woods, whore on the d.