The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-06-03
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING,

KNEW couldn't stand the arch, half.mis-
chievous twinkle ofthose brown eyes II looked
at her too often; so went on firmly
"How old are youl"
eighteen, this MONTH"
Eighteen, hey!"
wrote il down and hesitated o minute
What next to ask her had no moro idea than
the tongs in the corner. wished Jack would
come home and catechiso his own brown-eyed
school teacher-no, didn't either I!
"what do you knowi" asked.
ooh plenty ofthings," responded the fair
candidate, demurely. (Confound these wo-
mcn-how quickly they discover when you are
at q Disadvantage 81 can sew, and knit,
and mend stockings, aad make pies, and"
tried very hard to frown, magisterially, as
I saw the rougbish dimples playing around her
rosebud mouth. and interrupted her catalogue
with the stern query
"I mean, what are your educational qualih-
cationsr'
Jessie looked at mo like q startled bird, the
mouth beginning to quiver, and tho hazel orbs
to melt and swim. moved uncasily on the
wood-box, and two or three knotty pine logs
rolled down around my ankles.
"Come. now, don't be frightened" I expos
tulatcd. rubbing my bruised extremities.-
"Don't, please. All I want to know is, can
you say the multiplication table, and cast up
interest, and all that sort of thing!"
"Yes, sir" faltered Jessie.
"Lct me see-which school Is II you wish to
teach 7" said half aloud, pretending to forget
what hsd never known.
"At Elm Grove, SIR" said Jessie, meckly.
"Elm Grove! Why, my child, there are
scholars there twice your ago and size, and as
unruly as aboriginal savages' Have you duly
considered the consequences OF the step you are
about to takei"
"I have, SIR" she answered, the long wet
lashes sweeping her flushed check; "but am
very poor, and 1t is necessary for me to earn
my daily bread"
set my teeth firmly together at the idea of
that delicate young creature in tho tumble
down hovel at Elm Grove, in company with
dog cared spelling books and dinner. baskets.
SMIiss Gray" commenced emphatically.
Thcre-it invariably happened so to me |!
What possessed Jack Clcrmont to drive up to
the door at that moment, Why couldn't he
have stayed just fvc minutes longcri
"Pleasc favor me with your address, Miss
Gray" stammercd, hurredly. "The certih-
Gates are not printed yet. Twill see about them
in day or two."
When the quiet brown dress had futtered
from the room, discovered, oil at once, that
the crimson glory was fading gloomily from the
west, and things wero looking very dismal to
welcome the noisy entrance Of my friend.
"well. my boy, what luck have you had in
keeping Office to.day,'
Jack tossed fresh supply Of logs on the fire,
and threw himself into the chair where she had
just sat t-thc thoughtless scamp!
I informed him briefly Of my proceedings,
laying particular stress on the lecture engage
ment, and slurring over the affair Of the bill,
for which had receipt in full.
"All right" said Jack, in his merry. jovial
voice. that sounded like cheerful gale Of
wind in forest. "Why, you'd make a fine
lawyer, Campford. But you have not told me
about the pretty girl who was coming out as
drove up-what did she want!"
"Oh! she was after certificate to teach
school up in Elm Grove. I say, Jack, this
school-teaching branch must be rather deli
cate piece of business with you."
"Not generally" said Jack. "But what did
you dol Give her certificate 7"
"No," said I, thoughtfully.
"why not! Didn't invest You with full
powcrs,'
Because" said I, deliberately rising from
the wood J-box, and stretching my six feet Of
humanity to their altitude, because, Jack, l
mean to marry that girl"
"Campford, are you insanei'
"No; think not.''
"But you never saw her before"
"well, what then, She suits me exactly. l
never knew what sort ofa wife wanted, and
now am fully convinced"
"But. suppose she won't have your"
"Shc will. or I'll know the reason why"
Clermont burst into laugh.
"wcll. Campford, all have to say Is. go
ahead, and may Cupid speed you."
acted upon his recommendation, and called
on Miss Jessie, the next day, to tell her that
the certificate would certainly bc ready alta
certain date. Then found 1t necessary to call