The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-03-29

ne reached the conclusion that the laugh
must have come from either dainty little
blue hat, with delicate trimmings, or a
decided sober and ancient brown one-the
two being in conjunction OF course he
fastened upon the blue hat; for never since
the food did a grave, questionable bonnet
give out such gushing music as that.
Kelly was not a city gentleman he.
He was squire in rural town-a leader
of town affairs.
| A man Of rank, to whom the village
politicians looked for the shrewdest coun-
sells; on whom abused people called for adj
vice and redress; into whose hands friend
less widows put the management of their
scanty estates, sure that all would be done
for them and their little ones that tact,
fidelity and warm heart could accomplish.
The blue hat was city hat, and the
brown hair it covered, together with the
hazel eyes that sparkled in front of it, were
OF city growth. But the sober brown bon
net was on rural aunt of good dimensions,
both in person and in heart.
Before the catastrophe which brought
out laug hter, the was listening very
attentively te~- lady's eager request that
she would try and procure her school
near her country home. After the acct
dent, the brown bonnet gave very appro-
pirate and impressive lecture on the i'm
propriety of laughing out in that way, when
the street was full of folks.
tWhy, who could help it, Aunty p
Did you ever see anything SO funny p
Laugh! didn't laugh-it laughed itself.
Indeed to escape another lecture, she had
to cover her lips, nose and eyes almost, in
scented linen cambria 1
why, you see, aunty,' said the blue
hat, recurring to the former topic, father
isn't rich-indeed, l don't think he is as
well off as he seems to be and hcfamily
is large-all are girls too, just bill Of
expense, you know; and don't like to
have father furnish me music lessons any
longer, for / know he can't afford it. But
wouldn'tgive up my music for the world;
only L want to pay part Of the expense
myself. Father isn't able--he looks more
and more careworn every day. l am really
afraid, and the voice fell and became very
serious. I'm really afraid things are going
wrong With him. Besides, I want to be
doing something. tn a better girl when
| feel that lam not drone and dependent.
Yes aunty, | must and will have a school
there Will you help me P
The brown bonnet caught the girls ep-
thusiasm and she promised.
You must have known, reader, from the
description of my friend Kelly, that he
was town superintendent. Who else was
SO well qualified to look after the interest
of the public school? One morning at six
o'clock-my friend rises at FIVE and has
good fire in his Office and an appetite for
breakfast at Ska rap fell upon the outer
door. Kelly rose and opened it.
Good morning, ladies, walk in
The brown bonnet said Good morning.
with dignity, the blue hat pronounced the
same timidly, and both passed in.
My niece would like to be examined,
to take the school in our district,
Certainly said the town superinten-
dent, laying the poker on the table,
Certainly, your ault--beg pardon--your
niece shall be examined, madam. Warm
morning ma'am,' wiping the perspiration
from his face with sheet Of writing paper.
Bless you! its the coolest morning
we've had this fall said the astonished
aunt. Why Mary's face has been like
peony, all the way ridin' in the wind.
just look at it, as .S @ Il
There was no need, for my friend had
seen something more than the blue hat,
some minutes before. Certainly, madam,
certainly livery red mean very cold,
indeed, ma'am, very
The town superintendent was not long,
however, in getting better possession Of bis
facultiess and at length the examination
commenced.
Kelly blandly.
MilWaukie.
n 4 May I ask you where You were edu-
Gated I? continued the questioner, looking
for once into the eyes which we're sparkling
despite the embarrassed features.
I In the public schools, sir. ,aa
sas Did you graduate T.
Yes, sir. 8si
Ito lady handed him roll tied with 4
'tc ribbon. Kelly tried hard to unite
4, but soon got the knot into q very bad