The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-03-01
SpELLISG-SCHooLs.-There are none of

SpELLISG-SCHOOLS.- mere are none or
opr readers, we venture to say, who have
mt heard of those good educational gath
erings yclept spelling-schools-have not
themselves, perhaps, attended and partici-
uated in the fun and frolic always Incl
dent to such occasions. We have; and we
must say, that, for real, genuine pleasure,
uptrammelled by the conventionalities of
Society" in no better mode of passing an
occasional evening has it been our good
fortune to participate. Spelling-schools,
however, are not now as they used to
was-they are fallen, like many other great
institutions, into disuse and decay. But
they are endeared to US by many inef-
faceable incidents-fond remembrances of
the past-landmarks of our younger, and,
Is is generally supposed, happier days
In their more palmy days, one young indi-
ridual, named Bobbs, was particularly fond
ofattending spelling-schOols,- in fact,
every opportunity that offered. At one of
these, he met and became acquainted with
charming young lady, named Seraphina
Now Bobbs, be it known, was very bash
ful young man, rather ''green" withal, and
had no experience whatever in love affairs
Therefore, it is not to be wondered at, that
after short conversation with the beauti-
fu and sprightly young lady, our suscep-
tble friend became fascinated with the
'yren-in other words, badly ''struck. -
lie devoted his whole attention to her du-
ring the evening; talked to her, laughed
With her, and ended by accompanying her
home. Preliminary arrangements were
likewise made for many meetings of sim
liar nature. Now, in consequence of the
happy termination of this his first amor
dsPropre, he became, in his own estimation,
avery consequential man-quoted profuse-
y from Byron and read largely ofthat class
Of books whose aim it is to show, that, altho'
"the course of true love may never run
smooth" it generally turns out all right in
the end. Under the existing state of af-
fairs, some young larks who were cognizant
Of his high-handed proceedings, resolved
TO bring him back to the common walks
Of llfe-down to level with the rest of
mankind. Accordingly, for the better ex-
.cu:lon of this charitable purpose, they
indited him very affectionate epistle, in
Tltlng him, in the name of his Seraphina,
to be present at "spelling," to be held on
acertain night, where she promised to at
tend and bespcaking for the occasion high
old time. To say that Bobbs was pleased
On receiving the billet-doux would be
weak e1pression-he was ighted--rais-
Cd to the highest pinnacle of ecstatic bliss.
On the appointed night, as might be easily
guessed, he took an early start for the
school-house. What recked he though it
was raining pitchforks? ?-and the mud was
fnee deep?-and he had two miles to walk?
Love laughs at locksmiths," and we may
'1a at the weather-clerk, and all other OBJ
uo1ious personages also. On his arrival
his destination, however, what was his
surprise, his horror, to find no lights stream
ing from the windows, to hear no happy
shouts or merry laughter resounding from
within, to see no oSeraphina joyously SPRING
lNg to meet him but instead, darkness,
ueeP and dismal, and silence, oppressive
ana profound, reigning around. Sorrow
'uIty ne retraced his steps. Oh that wea-
homeward walk! The next day, how
ever, set matters all right again for he
''ecived another letter from his inamorata
lpeF aforesaid "larks'') stating that in con-
sequence of untoward events, the spelling
e'Nooi had been deferred until the succeed
"e friday, when and where he was rcouir-
" attend if he thought proper This
.'ea'ed up the cob-we3s He now saw, or
As'ned he saw, the cause of his mysteri-
y and painful disappointment, over which
uaa racked his mind all night to cypher
e' e1' satisfactory solution, and failed
s:""iy'to Bobbs impatient and impassioned
'POsIflon, the rusty old wheels of Time
!, vowed, but when at length the night for
e fealization of his hopes or fears did ar
,s' ne once more made Decline for the
0scnooi-house. 1t would be unnecessary
uefe go into detail about the various
t'uents Of his journey-of his arrival at
''nooi-house-of his finding it silent