Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-28
FERRuL1NG ANNA HAWKES..

FERRULING ANNA HAWKES..
Observation-Disclosures !"
s.lndeed cannot stand this. You'll drive
me quite crazy with your buzz, buzz, buzz
ing. l must and will have silence. find
that plain, pleasant persuasion will not do !;
1 shall be forced to resort to harsher meth
cd. Now listen, one and all, while assure
you that the first scholar, young or old, miss
or master, young gentleman or lady whom
shall see whispering without leave, l will
ferule 20
The teacher, Mr.. Arthur Stone, closed his
bearded lips firmly, and glanced about the old
fashioned school room with determined ex-
preston, as he ceased speaking. He evident
Iy meant just what he had said-meant it in
the face OF the stalwart young gentlemen, and
pretty, witching, bright-eyed girls around bim.
For a moment there was dead silence among
all, while every eye was fixed upon the hand
some resolute face of the teacher. But in the
little crowd of eager, up-turned faces, there
was but one which his eye sought intutively !;
drawn, as it were, by some strange mesmeric
power. One face, and one at that moment
which was pretty picture of piquant beauty,
with its saucy, inquistive blue eyes, which
met his own fully and daringly its strawber-
Ty red mouth, pursed up by the most provo
king and daring Of smiles, that said it a. plain
ly as words could have said it, ssYou won't
ferule me, Arthur Stone, if whisper ever so
mnch.'
A sudden flash of anger reddcned up into
the cheeks of the young man, and shot from
the depths of his fine gray eyes, as he said de-
terminedly, in answer to the smile of the red
mouth and blue eyes, and the toss OF the dain-
ty head--ssI repeat it / will ferule the first
scholar whom see whispering without leave."
This time there no mistaking it; there
was a perceptble motion of Anna Hawkes.
pretty head, an unmistakeatle light in her
rh<,1r, ,hrrt- MD
about the curve of her lips, as she turned care
lessly to her books-ssYou can ferule me if
you choose she said mutely, not believing
that he would venture to do it.
Sand 1 certainly wiil,'' was the silent reply
of the young man, confident the while that she
would not allow him an opportunity Of putting
his threat in execution. But be was i'll at
as he turned moodiy to the arithmetic
class from which his attention had been drawn
by the unusual confusion. Affairs had taken
. disagreeable turn, an unexpected course.
and whichever he might do, he could not better
them. There was but one way for him. He
must put stern face on the matter. He must
maintain his dignity as teacher, even if he
was obliged to thrust aside bis own wishes and
inclinations. Anna Hawkes., pleasant, WITCH
ing, graceful Anna-the one bright star that
threw so much light on his arduous, tiresome
duties the warm hearted girl who had grown
nearer and nearer to him as the dull, wintry
days went by, till he had dared hope, silently
but earnestly, that some time he might be
more to her than any one else in the world,
even if she, coming between him and his du-
ties, must be sacrificed. 1t was a miserable
thought, and he greeted it with long, deep
drawn sigh.
Not once during that forenoon, did he ven-
ture to look towards Annals seat, or allow him.
self TO pause anywhere in her vicinity, for fear
his ear might be greeted by provoking, odi-f
GUS whisper. Not once, say, but must ex-
cept the long recess, during which he watched
her eagerly, as she bent over her slate, work
ing out her algebraic problems apparently lost
to everything around her. Two or three times
he started from his seat to go to her assist
ance, as she knit her white brow perplexedly,
but strange, new feeling, like pride, kept
him back. He thought he had never seen her
look half SO pretty or loveable then, she
sat there bending thoughtfully over her book,
with one hand running rapidly and gracefully
over her slate. Her dress of dark crimson
cloth, with its full sleeves confiued at the
wrists by black velvet bands, fastened high in
the neck, but in such manner as to display
her full, white throat, was strangely becoming
TO her. lie had never thought of it before,
but there was certain refinement in her taste
that was truly pleasing. 1t was visible in ev-
erything she wOre-the dainty cambria collar
confined at the throat by small, cameo breast
pin; the knots of black ribbon fastened about
her luxuriant brown brads; the petite black
silk apron, with its girdle of silk cord, and full
large, dropped tassels, and the slender, shi-
ming little kid boots that peeped daringly out
from the folds of her ample skirt. In all his
life, Arthur Stone had never looked upon
a face or figure so pleasant or captivating.
But as he watched her, she raised her eyes,to
MS face. In moment the pretty seriousness
which had rested so becomingly on her fea-
lures was gone. A provoking smile curled
upon her rosy mouth, and went with sudden
!ush OF triumph over her whole face, dilating
her hneiy curved nostrils, and sweeping like
sunshine over the blue of her eyes, making
such rare dimples about her chin, as one might |
nave supposed to have been fitted by the cum |
ning fore-finger of Cupid himself.
arthur otone was vexed, but was too much |
man OF the world to allow the Young girl to |
know now much she was capable of annoying |
him, and SO after the first flame of petty an. |
ger had died out from his cheeks and forehead. |
ne said in voice, the GOODNESS of which sur
prised even himself
"Can be of any assistance to you, Miss
Hawkes.
"None, sir, thank you. have quite con-
quered my exercises alone today
Foolish fellow! The very GOODNESS of his
manner betrayed the secret which he strove to
niue. There was little need of covert if there |
vas nothing to conceal. And so it was that |
~. .,le forenoon slipped unpeasantly away, and |
'he afternoon came in its stead. The teach |