Litchfield enquirer., 1861-03-21

seems to be; and the family is large-all girl too, just bill of expense. you know; and don't like to have father furnish me with music lessons any longer, for know he can't afford it But wouldn't give up my music for the world only want to pay part of the expenses myself Father isll't able-he looks more and more care worn every day. I am really afraid" and tn, voice fell, and became very serious, 1" am real ly afraid things are going wrong with him. Be sides want to be doing something-I'm bet ter girl when feel that am not~s drone ant dependent. Yes, aunty. must and willshave { school-there! Will you help me ?"
 The brown bonnet caught the girls enthusi asm, and promised,
 You must have known reader. from the brie description of my friend Kelly. that he was the town superintendent. Who else was so vel qualified to look after the interests of the public schools! One morning at six o'clock-my frienG rises at five, and has good fire in his office anG has an appetite for breakfast at six rap feI upon the outer door. Kelly rose and opened it
 Good morning ladiesd walk in'
 The brown bonnet said good morning" witt dignity; the blue lat pronounced the same tim idly and passed in. | My niece would like to be examined, to take the school in our district
 Certainly" said the town superintendent | aunt-beg pardon-your niece shall be examin. ed madam. Warm morning, ma am :" wipine the l precipitation from his face with sheet of writ. ing paper.
 Bless you! it's the coldest morning we've had this fall, said the astonished aunt Why Mary face has been like peony, all the way ridln in the wind. Jest look at it. There was no need, for my friend had seen something more than the blue hat, some minutes before.
 Certainly, madam, certain'y-very red--I mean very cold indeed ma am, very"
 Inc town superintendent was not loug. how ever ID getting better possession of his faculties; and at length the examination commenced. four residence, if you please" said Kelly, biandly.
 Milwaukee" timidly.
 May ask where you were educated ?" con- tlnued the questioner, looking for once into the eyes, which were sparkling, despite the blushng embarrassed features. ln the public schools, sir.'
 ~ ~Rld R you you graduate?"
 May look at your diploma"
 The lady handed him roll tied with blue rib bon. Kelly tried hard to unite it, but soon got the knot iH bad fix. The pretty fingers of the blue hat were called into rcqusition, and ths knot was conquered close before hm, under his eyes. Opening the roll he read
 Mary Denver! Is that your ?
 "Yes sir"
 Your fathers name?"
 Charles"
 Merchant! 7"
 Yes, sir"
 Why, was clerk in his store when you were child. He was the rcilest employer l ever had. He made me all am 1 mean he made me upil9ht-for that is all l am anyway"
 helly promised certihcate--aHd he would bring 1t over next day, which he did
 During the whole term he was very faithful in official visits to the schools and just before the close of the session my fr:c:stl said
 Mary, wouldn't teach any more.' 70, must like it and besides 1 haynt | accomplished half want to yet' "N hat do you want to accompiish?' Il want to continue my music" What else ?'
 "i want t1 clothe Minnie'
 What else?"
 Il want to feel that am useful, that am doing something"
 "I want to hire you, Mary: and will pay you wages that will enable you to do all this.'
 You want to hire me! What can do for your"
 Keep my house, and be my wife, Mary And then town superintendent got his arm round Mary's waist and held her tight, though she struggled little at first.
 Let me go little and I will tell you"
 He released the little figure, and Mary stood before him, trembling, blusing, twirling the strings of the blue hat around her fingers, look ing down upon the floor, glancing once into his earnest eyes, her breast rising and falling till the cameo pin swayed to and fro like ship on the pillows.
 Do you love mel"
 "With my whole soul"
 Did you ever love anybody else ]"
 " Never in all my life.'
 "Can little girl like me'-lcoking earnestly in his face" can a little girl like me, devoted, loving you almost to reverence, make you happy always?'
 No che in all the world but you.'
 The little maiden stepped close to his side and hid herself under his arm. That jaunty blue hat is in favorite closet of my friends new house, in glass case, on the upper shelf. l