The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-11
THE SCHOOL MISTRESS.


Act as my representative in all rn-
spects delegate you full and entire au-
thority!'
That was what Jack Clermont had said,
as he leaned out of the carriage window
to light his cigar from tthe tip of mine.
OF course, undertook the responsibilities
very good humoredly; for, though had
never been in love myself, still l had
sort of general idea that it was my duty
to afford every possible facility to young
man who was going to see his sweetheart,
and fix the wedding day.
So turned with sign of resignation
away from the fresh exhilarating air, the
vivid March sunshine, into the close little
den, lined with law books, and strongly
pertumed with the order of Russia leath-
er, which Jack denominated his ':ofiice."
On the whole felt rather as if were an
amiable sacrifice OH the altar of disinter-
ested friendship. Damon and Pythias
were great crOnies, no doubt, if we were
to put faith in the records of history but
l never heard that Damon stayed at home
to keep "Otfice for Pythias, when he
would great deal rather have been cut
in the breezy March woods, trampling
down the first blue violets under the drifts
OF dry leaves, with a gun over his shoul
der!
Then began to consider seriously what
lazy fellow l was to spend my days in
this Robin Hood kind of life, while my old
college mate, Jack was working away at
the law, and pocketting snug little fees,
and getting to be a justice OF the peace
and delegate to all of the conventions,
and school trustee, and every thing else
that he could possibly think of. "Some
day." resolved /, wheeling lazily round on
Jacks faded, old, leather chair, "I'll go
to work tOo.''
All day long l sat the e, enacting Jack
to my own unbounded admiration, and
considerably to the astonishment of the
sober old farmers, whose preconceived
idea of esquire Clermont,'' was widely
different from the splendid, moustached
young fellow, who occupied his seat of
Judgment, and pronounced solemn edicts
with all the dignity of Chief Justice Taney
himself! What was the use of telling 'em
all that was not Jack, ,.and that l never
had graduated from any law school, and
that my whole knowledge of that sublime
science was confined to single perusal of
Blackstone! Jack had given me implicit
instructions to act as his representative,
and was not doing it to the best of my
ability?
Well, on the whole, l didn't succeed
badly at tirst-whenever there was any
mistiness about the transaction, took the
broad ground that law was just nothing
more nor less than common sense Ga mis-
take that experience has since rectihed for
me). | nipped three promising lawsuits
in the bud by the conscientious equity of
my opinions; persuaded several honest
fellows to put their grievances in their
pockets, not in mine; and speaking in
round Numbers, must have done poor Jack
ont OF nearly fifty dollars in retaining fees.
esquire Clermont I'M" demanded
shock-headed rustic, in a swsllow-tailed
blue coat, decorated with p.atter-like
brass buttons, who made his appearance
about noon.
Yes-what's wanting?"
"Well, sir, answered the rustic, rather
awkwardly twirlng his hat round and
round; "wed like to have you come up
to Shineville next week and deliver lee
tur' for our Young Mems Association,
and -"
"Twenty-fve dollars, and expenses
paid," remarked /, at a venture, with an
air of exquisite assurance that the nego-
tiator was completely at my mercy.
Every well, sir. The secretary OF the
association will forward you q regular in
vitation, and -"
"Good day, sir" / said, briskly rub
bing my hands as another individual came
in. and ne edged out. "Jack can't COM
plain at this way of transacting business, -
was my eternal reflection, while my last
visitor was having and hemming prepara-
4o.,r 70 ;nfrodncinp his hnsinasa