The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-05-09
They will not dethrone me !"
:, A., a.,

- w Soeh0i hoiu IL looO loi uo uoili-
ment. AT that l grew queenly. or at
least what thought to be so, and drew
myself up as though there was question
of honor to settle. Just then the cars
came to full stop, and the conductor
gave his call 3" Lester p so that did not
have chance to answer-not his words,
for they were simple enough in them
selves-but his manner.
81 wish you much success" he said,
as 1 left the cars.
Thank you; your wish shall prove
prophecy"
That was the first that l heard of my
Lester school, and need not add that
my spirits were somewhat dampened.
But that l should conquer the unruly set
Of masters and misses did not doubt for
moment.
They'd do we'll enough if it warn't
for the doctors boy" my good -natured
boarding mistress said, when | question
ed her concerning my pupils. He is
the ringleader of 'em, and always has
been.'
That was enough for me to know. l
would make friends with the Doctors son
at the beginning. But that was easier
said than done, may as well confess at
once. There was mischief enough in
him to have stocked little million OF
commonly y roguish boys. Gain an ad-
vantage over him in one way. and he
was doubly sure to gain one over me in
another. If l attempted to reason with
him, his answers would set the whole
school in hubbub, and if | threatened
to punish him, look of sheer defiance
settled upon his bright face. He troub-
led me SO deeply that | could not rest
night or day, in school or out. That |
grew pale and thin is not to be wondered
at.
When my trial was at its height,
chanced to meet my acquaintance and
prophet of the cars. Who he was, or
what he was, did not trouble myself to
think. | did not even care. had hop
ed to meet him again, but | preferred to
have it at the time of my victory, not at
my vanquishment.
Z" And how are you pleased with your
school - he asked, walking by my side
in an easy careless way, as though he
was an acquaintance of years.
4" am delighted" | answered. +"
cannot express to you how much So"
He laughed heartily. Looking into
his face at that moment, thought could
trace very strong resemblance between
him and the doctors son, Frank Ed
ridge. A most unpleasant truth dawned
upon my mind. A little angered l de-
termined to make the most of it.
4" The scholars are very WELL" | said
half maliciously. Il suspect that the
trouble lies with their parents. The ring.
leader of all the mischief seems to have
grown up in most unhealthy atmos-
phere. | should say that his father is
not very deyout friend of Sabbath
schools, and that would be mild say
ing. indeed, and charitable one on my
part"
Ny words took immediate effect. A
little flash of color appearing suddenly
upon the gentleman face. spoke palmer
than words could have done Seeing my
advantage, l continued in a iantal'zing
way:
People tell me that this Eldridge boy
has not known mothers care since his
earliest infancy. That is self-evident. |
have been more lenient, remembering
this. But if it is mothers care thai
he needs, would advise his father most
heartily to make the attempt to secure te
him the care of some good true woman. y
" You would 2"
He looked me fully in the face as he
asked the question. l was not equal to
the ordeal. | grew suddenly confused
and trying to answer him. stumbled up
on three or four ranswers at the same time
| " Your advice is most excellent, Miss
Lakin hope the unfortunate gentle.
man will be able to act upon it,"
A" So do |, most sincerely" l answer
ed, blushing beneath his strange, ques.
tioning glance. For the boys sake. he
would do well to make the matter one oil
Importance until he succeeds" added
more because | would not allow myse.
TO be silenced by his gaze, than because
cared to speak.
Perhaps you would be willing to aid
the gentleman in question, since you were
the first to suggest the idea. Would
you %
:" am no philanthropist," answer
ed. curtly, believing that he was making
an attempt TO quiz me. Il think toe
much Of my life"
l hesitated. | saw that | was going
too far. The gentleman smiled. We
were close by the school-house door, and
the conversation could go no further
With good morning" he turned away,
while | entered the sehool-room.
"Who is that gentleman - | asked o.
n child standing by the door.
DR.. Eldridge, Frank Eldridge's IA
ther,' was the reply.
know that we'll enough before, but
hearing il verified by the child's lips SEM
my blood lhrobbing and beating loudly
at my heart.
The day that followed that morning
was not pleasant one to me. Not thai
my scholars were unusually rude or bois
terous-to the contrary they were quiet
er than | had ever known them before
but somehow my conscience troubled
me. Thinking of the motherless boy be
| fora ma | sau, that -, r,x, laal,nr, ~ ~ 4