Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-08-19
MARIAN DEANS STORY

Ii was many years ago that Mr. Carrippton
Bates came TO our town TO teach singing
school. He was very good looking, believe,
At least people said he was but hated him
ard with such good cause, that never dare
trust myself to tell what thought Of him He
came well recommended by long list of
.reverends' and 'honorables," and made
such fine appearance-so gentlemanIy and
Iespectable-that every door was open to him,
aud every one had word of praise for him
He played the violin, and sang diyinely, which
was enough TO set all the sentimental and musi-
csi part of the young people half crazy over
aim. As he had melancholy air and \ story
vas soon trumped up that be had been crossed
IN love, Of course all the women were in his
favor, and ne soon had list of pupils and
patrons that quite astonished the people them
selves. He bore all his hOnOrs meekly and
we'll; taking their attentions as n matter Of
course, being nothing more than he deserved,
but In return for them he would be generous
enough to teach them twice week for q con-
sideration. So il was decided that every Tues
day and Friday night the village church should
be lighted and warmed for him. and on other
nights he was supposed to be engaged in adjoin-
ing towns.
This talk Of the singing school and the
teacher had foated by me, and over my head
for thought IL was not meant for me until
heard that Philip SOuthey's name was on the
list Of pupils. Then l watched Mr.. Caring
ton Bates as he rode down through the long
ianS-iike street that pass d the old farm house
where | lived, and wondered what a singing
shool would be like, for L was sure should 90
- II Philip did. We were not engaged-Philip
and L, at least, not formally, but it was some
how understood that was 10 be mistress of the
log house he was building on his little farm
The farm was all paid for now, which accounted
Tor his extravaganza in attending singing
school was glad Of it in my heart, for there
was no music so dear to me as his voice. all un-
trained as it was; and as he always taught me
the tunes he caught up from others, L was as
sure should go a. if had seen my name
Marian, beside his; just as he cut them on the
oaTS OF the old maple that hung over the spring
in Mr. Deans orchard.
was an orphan bound-girl-bound to Mr..
Dean when quite child-bound by ties of
love and gratitude, as well as by the law They
had no children living, and was brought UP
as their own child. / believe they did eyery-
thing for me they could, and as they thought.
for the best, but a child, living alone with two
old people, must necessarily be- and feel un-
Ike other children. As grew up these feel
ings kept pace with my years, and felt some
times as though L had never been young.
Among others of my age felt alone, for could
not understand them-only Philip Southey
with his great, kindly heart, and bright. homes;
face, where one could see his thoughts in his
clear eyes. He came 10 be TO me the type of
everything good and desirable in this world;
snd who shall blame me if in my thoughts |
gave him place among the blest in the next!
Phllp did come, just as / knew he would
and told me was to go with him to the sing
ing-school. Mother Dean look ed up at me from
under her spectacles when he told me, and
said, smiliDgly:
I'm my day young man would ask girl
Father Dean patted M on the head and said:
Bless her heart, we shall have her singing
like the birds, shsn't We PhiI?''
Philip said:
The birds are good in their kind, and
Marian's singing is good in its way now
pleasant 70 my ears always, but don't believe
!; IS perfect, for all thst, and if the teacher
fulflls halt his promises he'll help Us to get
little nearer perfection
so it was settled that we should attend the
singing school In what seemed 10 me the
great crowd Os singers, should have felt en-
barrassed and afrsii if Philip had not sat just
across the aisle where he could give me an en-
cOuraging, pleasant look now and then I'll
give Mr. Bates credit for being good teacher,
and nothing was heard in the town but talk Of
his sayings and doings, and his goodness.
After two or three schools there was a sudden
change in the subject of conversation.
drover, named Barnard, while riding along
Ionely rOsd in the north part of the town, was
knocked from his horse and robbed, and now
lay I'll at farmhouse near. Of course all the
country was hOrrifed, and full Of flying rumors.
livery one had their opinion, and first and fore
most in avOwing his was Mr.. Bates. 1t was
some one in town, he said, or implied. in as
many ways, and as many times as he possibly
could; and as it was a light evening probably
Mr. Barnard could describe him, or, at least,
recognize him.
Ohe night Philip was gone to an adjoining
town. but promised to meet me at the singing
school and take me home If my father would
fe;ch me there. Philip did not come even at
the intermission. and as sat turning over the
leaves Of a singing book, and listening to the
h e IL
rounded the teacher, young man, who did
rot belong, to the school, came in and spoke
Few words to him. There were hurried ex-
clamatiOns, a few quick glances at me, then,
the news, whatever 1t was, seemed to spread
all over the bOuse. and they gathered around
the lights under the black board 10 look mt
= some small object which the teacher held in
his hand. L went up to him, and, touching his
arm, asked what it was He held small coin
up to the light and said, as he looked steadily
III my face.
"A counterfeit qusrter that was taken from
Mr. Barnard by the robber."
The robber? who had itl''
Philip SOuthey, and he is in Jail now. lie
did not get of as he intended. .-.
All eyes were fixed on my face, but was SO
sure Of Philips innocence, in my own mind,
that my pride came to my aid, and 1 said,
calmly.
Il don't believe it,"
Some said, shame and Mr. Bates said,
with an offended air, If doubted his word
might 70 and ask the sheriff. / walked back
70 my seat and sat bolt upright, staring at the
chalk notes on the black board. 1t was all
farce. a mistake felt, and would be explained
on the morrow. There must have been some
strange look on my face, for no one came near
me, or spoke 10 me sgsiD; and as soon as the
scholars took their seats the teacher was called
out. He requested them to stay until he re-
turned, but was gone 50 long that We did not
sing any more that night. was surprised to
find father at the door waiting for me. lie
s4id Philip had sent for him, and he had
stayed TO go home with me.
Why did not Philip Gomez ] asked. "0f
course it il all explained now"
Hush, child, he replied. ...
Well, If it isn't, why shouldn't it be-" i
cried, a little troubled by his manner.
Il hope IL will be, but il is hard case.
There. don't take on don't believe him gull
" but one mans belief or one mans word
Won do any good while there is another man
10 swear against whsi the other says. 1t is
hard case