The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-05-23
Through the Snow.

in black satin and fowery cap-comes from
her housekeeping room Cwhere she has been
consulting Betty, her cook into the study of
Mr.. Tubbs, her husband, who, up later than
his Nmiable spouse, breakfasts Ieisurely, and
reads bis letters grimly, on this snowy
Christmas morning. He is BY no means q
prepOssessing-l looking gentleman, though
his coat is superfine and his waistcoat large.
"Ive ordered Betty" says Mrs. Tubbs,
sinking into chair, "to make the fellow
small suet. .dumpling-no plums or currants
in It, Dr.. Tubbs and send it in with rash.
or Of bacon. The fat bacon, Dr.. Tubbs
the ham-like lean keep for the parlor for
If ushers will stop during the holidays where
they amt wanted, they must take the con.
sequences"
"Of course, my DEAR" answers Tubbs,
pompously, and at the same time winking
terribly (for he has visioDal defect which
always keeps his eyelids moving) "Your
remark is most judicious. Indeed, if the
truth be spoken, even this prudential ar
rungement will be unnecessary for think
of giving Gray notice at once, and getting
rid of him this very morning. For-for-
for-this getting onrapid system of his will
never do. II it continues, Mrs. Tubbs, we
shall soon cease to be master and mistress
of Goshen House for here's letter from
the Baileys' father, pruising his boys rapid
progress in arithmetic. Here's another from
Wiggett's uncle, to say that Toms general
advance is excellent; and TO crown all, here's
o third letter, from the Rev. D. Pike, canon
of DiddIebury Cathedral, to say that his
grandsons' progress in the classics is remark.
able, you'll remember, my dear, that there
' are four of these lads y and that they have
: learnt as much Greek and Latin in the half
year es at some schools they would have done
: in three years. Mind this, my dear Now of
3 course boys getting along in this way will
= soon leave. Instead Gf having six years out
I Of 'em apiece, two will be enough under
! such forcing plan. There were the Field
ings, too why did they leave ? Why, that
they could draw trees we'll when they should
have been still in lines and cubes. I've
! told Gray of all this, times and often but,
n but" adds Dr.. Tubbs, with pathetic dignity,
= "he minds me no more than those boys who
d Gull me 'Old Winker' He talks about
8 moral honesty and trash of that sort, in
8 stead OF paying attention to my bchests. 81
as this is the case-Bnd it don't do to lei
!, boys education get on like steam engine
e -Ill dsmss him, and and-this very
e morning. True, must give some rqui0a'
d lent, as our arrangement was q months no.
is tice on either side, and gratis board ant
n lodging during the winter vaeation. Bu
1t better lost pound than this evil shoult
d make further head"
n "a pound We shall save double tho
ID in the fellows board. Why /! it wants ye
W five weeks to the end OF the vacation, aut
M tbis-ssy at ten shillings week-will b'
t two pounds ten. Go and do it at once, DR.
u Tubbs, whilst | dress for church. An
- make haste ; we can then drive off, and thel
k be spared the nonsense good byes.' o.
my way up stairs, doctor, | shall counter
m mand the suet dumpling."
Ut Not without some little hesitation whe
vi his wiie's eye is on him-for his conscience
s. scared as it is, points how base his condue
10 is to one like Robert Gray-Dr Tubb
n draws certain sovereigns and shillings !ror
~ his private drawer, and goes forth to tn
;! school.room, where, by most economict
scrap of fire, sits the gentlemanly usher.-
ii. His sippered feet are on the hob, littl
- pocket AZ Etchylus in his hand, short pipe
et his mouth behind him lies the wide, hig
Of school.room, beyond that the bare window
ct, and the snowy YORKSHIRE landscape Of woo'
Nv ed heights and barren moors.
"Faugh !smoke smelling like tavern
cd are Dr.. Tubbs' Introductory words /; al
ne then, taking distant chair, he proceeds
his business. 1t is soon efected-as most ba
1t things are-and to his infinite but seer
'le chagrin; for he expected demur and entreat
Tor His usher's menner expresses sense OF r
lief and relense. True, were the pompo
ire pedsgogue a reader Of human hearts,
IRE might have detected one vibration Of des
Ter late despair cross the clear, bright, man
en- eye when the first words Of dismissal cam
'a' but il is gone like an electric fash, and
% sees nothing before him but the serenity
en- self.reiiant manhood. Hurrying over h
gruff adieu, pocketing his receipt, and base
Tor oblivious of all Gray's noble efforts to /
1eF crease his school, which, when he came
t's yeer ago was sinking to the verge of rui
nt the pompous and shallow pedagogue max
NIX his exit, to 60 to church--a hollow conve
u.s. tionalist, not q sincere worshipper.
'-~ Resolute and brief as young men al
me Gray gathers up bis few books from off 4
lei. school room shelves, hastens up stairs, pac
re- his portmanteau, and directs it to the neare
yll railway station, puts the rest OF his thisgs
int knupsack and then going down stairs
the scatters few shjllinss amongst the servan
}. visits the old yard dog id his kennel, Civ
one look around the playground where
ct" had passed 20 many sad and weary hou
the and then goes,his way, his knapsack on
shoulder, good oaken stick IN his hand.
There are some worthy souls to speak to
this primitive Yorkshire village-the paris