The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1865-08-31

business" was my internal reflection while
the last visitor stood having and helnming
preparatory to introducing his business.
"You are Mr.. Clermont, sir, l sup
pose p
whats your business with me, my
friend p said |, amiably.
"Well, I'm real glad I've catched you
at home for once," was the answer, with
fendish satisfaction. 'I'd be obliged if
you'd pay this ere little bill ~
He extended crumpled piece of paper
"a bill for something or other, the sum
total of which was twenty dollars, which
l paid with exultation considerably toned
down. Why couldn't I have said that l
wasn't Jack, and didn't know where be
was nor when he'd be at home
My most interesting adventure was yet
to happen. Just as was beginning to
yawn, and was contemplating the proprie-
ty of shutting up the little office for the
day-just as the level brightness of the
glorious spring sunset was streaming iu
long bars of gold through the dusty panes
of glass beside me, the silence was broken
by ting rap on the Office dor
"Come iup' | shouted, expecting to see
enter little boy with letter, or some
preternaturally bashful client. What was
my astonishmeut, on the contrary, to be-
hold tall, sleLder young lady, with
fresh, brown complexion, just tinged with
a healthy pink, that somehow made me
think of the wild honeysuckles in my fa-
vorite woods, and hazel eyes that appeared
equally ready either to sparkle into bril-
liant laughter or melt into misty tears
There she stood, aud there | sat L had
never heard of Jacks having any female
clients, and consequently it took some
seconds for me to recover, as it were, my
mental equilibrium. Then l sprang up,
and politely proHered her the only char
in the office, while I enthroned myself on
the wood box.
"Mr. Clermont 2" she asked, softly-a
very musical voice, [ noticed, even thro'
my pertuT baton.
81 shall be happy to be of service to
you, ma'am.
Who woald have thought it The
young wood-nymph didu't want divorce
from her husband, (always taking it for
granted she happened to have such an.
appendage,) nor did she desire to quarrel
with her neighbor. Not at all. She ouly
wanted certificate to teach a district
school, and the other trustee had sent her
to MIR. Clerinont to be examined.
Here was u pretty kettle of fSh for
hashfui young man who was sailing under
false coiorsi How was [ to know whether
she was qualified for the position or not
Aud how in the name of all that was des
perate was [ to get myse.f out of the en-
barrasSing situation encompassing me.
unless by contessiug my Inequality for
the emergency by boiling through the
back door and beating an ignominious
retreat into the pine woods beyond!
"Never." quota l to myself ..l'll die
at my post sooner, even if forty thousand
school ma'ams come after certificates !'
"What ls your name, ma am 2" | de-
manded in a bust ness like manner, draw
ing sheet of paper towards me and dipping
my pen 10 the lnkstand.
Jessie Gray, cir"
| knew couldn't stand that arch. half
mischieyous twinkle of those brown ewes
it | looked at her toJ often, so | proceed
cd on firmly:
''Iow old are you z"
"EiShteen, this month"
Eighteen, hey - | wrote it down
and hesitated a minute What next to
ask her [ had 20 more idea than the tonrs
in the corner. | wished Jack would come
home and catechise his own brown eyed
school teacher-nQ l didn't, either 2"
"What do you know %
go, plenty of things" responded the
fair candidate, demurely. (Gonfound
those women-how quick they discover
when you are at disadvantage > Il
can sew, and knit aud alend stockings"
Il mean what are your educational
qualifications %
Jessie looked at me like startled bird,
the mouth beginning 10 qp;ver, and the
hazel orbs to melt aud swim | moved un-
easily Oh the wood-box aud two or three
knotty pine logs rolled around my ankles.
''Come now, dou't be frightened" | ex-
postulated, rubbing my bruised extremi-
ties. ''Ail [ want TO know is, can you
say the multiplication table, an cast in
tercst, and all that sort of thing ?''
"Yes," faltereG Jessie.
"Let me see-which school is it YOU
wish to teach 7" soilcquized [, halt aloud,
conveniently pretending to forget what l
had never known
"At Elm Grove, sir" replied Jessie,
meekly.
"Elm Grove why, my child, there are
scholars there twice yoir height and size,
and as unruly Jas abort ginal savages =
Have you duly consideted the CONSEQUENT
ces of the step you are abont to tate 7"
81 have, sir" sic answered, the long,
wet lash sweeping her flushed cheek
'.but am very poor, and it IS necessary