Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-07
Miscellaneous.
Where there's a will there's a Way,

lnere Is a great Zeal SAID IN tneSe latter
days about "afIinities" in the marriage re-
lation; and about congeniality and all that
sort of thing. But does not nature ALWAYS
work by contrasts? II there is an excess in
one place, is there not sure to be want in
another? Extremes meet, and so they did
when Bob Gray, the easiest man in town,
paid his addresses to Kitty Logan, the young
school ar'am, who had agreed to take the
village school IN the town of Niles; where
the big boys always turned the master out
IT doors on Christmas, OF made him treat.
Bob Gray had rich father. and a hard
working mother, and one proud sister, and
could afford to be lazy. Mr.. Gray, the eld-
CT, came West in very early times, located
near the town of Niles. lived in log cabin
ten ycsIs. shook himself out of joint with
the asuc. "wore it out, and never had it
sfterward. But a poor neighbor who had
q large farm a mile from Mr.. Gray could
not wear 1t out: his wife died, his children
suffered. he offered bis farm very cheap and
Gray bought him out, promising to pay
some time.
A year CT SO aftcrward discouraged with
bis crops, and inability to pay for the new
isrm, be tried to persuade the former owner
10 take it back, which he refused TO do-a
lawsuit ensued, and the matter ended by
poor Gray being obliged to keep the farm
and pay the costs. Terrible was tie blow,
but be lived through it; and five years at-
forwards, when the Ohio and Mississippi
Railroad passed through the same farm and
set up q station house exactly in the centre.
be found himself rich man. He sold town
lots at high figures, sent his son Tommy to
Jscksopyille. to be educated, and daughter
Susa to Monticello. lie dressed himself in
broad-cloth-wore kid gloves accepted the
nomination for the Legislature and unex-
pectedly found himself elected and making
laws for his countrymen at the capt. oil of
the Prairie State. So much for explanation
Bob came home from jacksonville with
his sheep-skin properly tied with blue rib
bons, dressed superly, had the best turn
out" in town, wore a tremendous pair of
whIskers, and of course Kitty Logan felt
Hattered Shen he offered to see her home
from church-or called after school TO take
her out riding. Miss Susan Gray took lit
tie pains to find out that Kitty was distantly
related to the Summers and LincOlns Of Mass,
but somehow she did not learn the important
fact that Kitty had worked at straw-brsi-
ding IN the town Of Eoxboro' until she had
earned money enough to educate herself.
"Where there's will there's a way"
said Kitty, and know can paddle my own
canoe out West, where they say nothing is
wanting but the power to do and the will to
put the Iower in motion
So bidding her few friends good bye, for
she was an orphan, she donned the prettiest
little straw hat which her own pretty fingers
had plated, sewed and pressed, and trimmed
with neat drsb ribbon with blue edge, which
coresponded exactly with her drab travelling
dress and cape; and matched her blue eyes to
a L. Thus she started for Illinois where a
friend of hers lived, and had written to her
she thought the school could be procured.
She was little home-sick when she arrived
at Niles and would have given one OF the
gold pieces hid away in that private pocket
Of her g for look once moro at the rough
rocks and swampy hollows, oyershadowed by
thin eyergreens, that surrounded her native
bone, She would have bounded with JOY at
the sound of the old factory bell that used to
call the merry girls together for their long
evenings oil. Still she did not say 50, but
put on cheerful face-s0ughtUut the direc-
ton and made her application. Mr.. Smith,
the main man, looked as if the little blue
eyed mInx, with her rosy lips, had insulted
his dignity 10 come Offering herself to teach
q school, in that ueighb1rhood But as she
offered to teach for three dollars q month
cheap than the last incumbent and wrote
such prstty hand, which they could read
like print. and besides had such a "wInnIog
way" thcy agreed 10 hire her. 10 the as
tonishmcut OF everybody. Christmas and
New Year too went BY, and the mistress, IN
stead Of being shut out or having to treat,
was surprised to find herself treated, her desk
loadcd with presents, and even jim Stokes,
who had always been called the worst boy in
town, had headed a surprise party in the
evening and almost filed Miss Logan's little
room, at Parson Browns, with pledges of
good will.
"W here there's q will. there's way"
said Kitty. 81 knew, Mr.. Smith, should
not have any trouble With the big boys, they
are just as good as need be-"
''Of course they be, - answered the blunt
old farmer. who BY the revolution OF rail
roads had been brought almost into town -
aI can almost wish was a big boy myself,
lust to show you how good l could be.
Mr.. Smith laughed and Kitty tripped
along to her task, carrying her little basket
of dinner along with her.
Kitty's school house was in the country
where the elder Mr.. Gray still lived, having
built himself fine house, With the "modern
improvements, although he did not Know
exactly what to do with it, nor his vile
either. They still tried to get along as com
fortabiy as possible. while Miss Susan ep-
joyed 1t exceedingly and kept the great double
parlors full OF company, which her worn and
weary mother knew well how to cook Tor
il shs did not know how to entertaIn--good
L. 81 tE..tl