Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-01-04

7~- - %~ - ~'-i - - 49, -
that.
Kelley was not = city geutleman---not
tic. He was squire in rural town,
leader Of town affairs. A man of mark, to
whom the village politicians looked for
shrewdest counsels, on whom abused peo-
pie called for advice and redress, in whose
hands friendlcss widows put the manage
ment Of their scanty estates, sure that all
would be done for them and the little or
phans that tact, fidelity and a warm heart
could accomplish.
The blue hat was a city hat; and the
brown hair it covered, together with the
hazel eyes that sparkled in front Of it, we're
of city growth. But the sober brown BON
net was a rural affair, and the lady under
il was a rural aunt Of good dimensions,
both in person and heart. Before the ca
tasirophe which brought out the laughter,
the aunt was listening artenuyely to the la
dy's very eager request that she would try
aud procure her school near her country
home after the accident the brown bonnet
gave q very appropriate and impressive
lecture on the impropriety of laughing out
that way, when the street was full Of folks
why who could help it, auntie? Did
you ever See anything SO funny? Laugh
didn't langh--it laughed itself o. dear
and then the little figure trembled from hat
to slipper under the shaking of suppressed
merriment. Indeed, to escape another lee
ture, she had to cover lips, nose and eyes
almost, in scented linen cambria.
Well. you see, auntie, said the little
| blue hat, recurring to the former topic, 'fa-
ther isn't rich, indeed don't think he is as
well off as he seems to be and the family
is large-all girls, too, just bill of ex-
pense you know, and don't like to have
| father furnish me music lessons any longer,
/ for | know he can't affoi it. But /
wouldn't give up my music for the world :;
only want to pay part of the expense my
self. Father isn't able, he looks more and
more careworn every day. am really
afraid, and here the voice fell and became
very serious, i am really afraid things are
going wrong with him. Besides, want to
be doing something. I'm a better girl
when | fee! that | am not drone, and de-
pendent. Yes, auntie ! must and will
have school--there! win you help me9
The brown bonnet caught the girls en-
thusiasm, and promised
You must have known, reader, from the
brief description of my friend Kelley, that
he was the town school superintendent
Who else was SO well qualified to look af-
ter the interests of the public schools
One morning at six o'clock,-my friend
rises at five, and has good fire in his of
fee and an appetite for breakfast at Ska
rap fell upon the outer door, Kelley rose
and opened it.
Good morning, ladies walk in.
; The brown bonnet said good morning
} with dignity; the blue hat pronounced the
same blessing timidly; and both walked in
My niece would ike to be examined tc
take the school in our district.
Certainly said the town superintendent
laying the poker on the table. Certainly
your aunt-beg pardon-your niece shall
be examined, madam. Warm morning
marn,'-wiping the prespiration from hi
face with sheet of blotting paper.
Bless youl its the coldest mornin:
we've had this fall,' said the astonishec
aunt. Why Mary's face has been like I
tpeony, all the way, ridin' in tire wind. Jes
: look at it,
! There was no need, for my friend hat
: seen something more than the blue hat
some minutes before.
+ Certainly, madam, certainiy,-very rec
II mean very cold indeed, ma'am, very
The town superintendent was not long
however, in getting better possession of hi
faculties and at length the examination
commenced.
Your residence, if you please said Kel
ley, blandly.
: Milwaukee, timidly.
May ask where you were educated
: continued the questioner, locking for ono
into the eyes which were sparkling. despit
] the blushing, embarrassed features.
0 In the public schools, sir.
Did you graduate?'
: Yes SIR
: May look at your diplomas!
: The lady handed roll tied with blu
: ribbon; Kelley tried hard to unite it. bu
: soon got the knot in a very bad fix. Th
pretty fingers of the blue hat were ealle'
into requisition, and the knot was conquer
ed close before him under his eyes. Open
! ing the roll
e Mary Denver. Is that your name"
o Yes sir,
: Your fathers name 2
t Charles
n Merchant 2
Yes SIR