The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-03-19
A ST. E Ugh RIDE
|COurting a School Ma am.
BY H. ELLIOTT M'BR1DE.

"Uncle, it is whim of mine. I am
sick and tired Of city life, and this round
of fashion. Fortune hunters are forever
besieglng me. and l am determined to
marry none of them. When I marry, the
happy man shall be an honest and a good
man, and one who loves me for myself
alone, not for my fifty thousand -
"And so, my dear, this is why you
wish to leave the city, and become prim
school teacher in that slow old village OF
Wrentham, You want to marry one Of
the uusophisticated clod -hoppers out there
l suppose. Well, you are queer child
but of course you shall have your way. u
"You are dear, kind uncle" said the
little fairy, as she brushed back the hair
from his forehead and imprinted kiss
thereon.
"When,do you wish to commence this
missionary work of yours?" continued
Morton. "Will you be off before day
light tomorrow, aud commence immedi-
ately the task of teaching the young idea
how to shoot in the proper direction?"
"No, uncle; will write to that kind
lady friend of yours, Mrs. Hawley, and
ask her if she will allow me ito soourn
with her for while. Then, when l am
in Wrentham, I will have ample time to
look around me and see if I can get an
opportunity of filling the Office of school
mistress. And remember, uncle, l wish
to be known out there only as Alice Lin
vile, not as Alice Linville Harper. Mrs
HaYley will humor me know; and |
hope you will do the same"
Certainly; anything to keep peace in
the family. Everything shall be arrang,
ed as you desire
In three weeks after the conversation
above narrated took place, the pretty lit.
tie Alice found herself seated behind a
high desk in the dingy school-room oi
Wrentham, and surrounded by three OIL
four dozen tow headed, dirty faced ur
chins. For time she felt that she wa:
out of her sphere, aud tired of her un
dertaking. She plucked courage, howev
er, and went boldly ahead with her work
determined that nothing but sickness Of
death should remove her. In the course
of time she came to like the business, ,ant
her scholars almost idolized her; this be
ing the case she progressed swimmiHgly
The school, which had before received
the name of the Fighting Den, was rov
very much changed; and Alice,as teach
er,received golden opinions from all SORT
of people. p
! Reader, enter with me the Office of
modern .Esculapius. 'Tis dirty plac
to go, know,as the air is perfumed will
all kinds of ugly and disagreeable medi
cines. Harry Benson is there. and W
must enter too, if We would hear the con
versation with the young Doctor, evel
Mark Percival.
81 tell you, Harry, you'll regret if yor
marry her. Take my advice, and don
propose. This kind of love is all moon
shine. She's as poor as Jobs turkey, AN
makes her living by school teaching :
Even if you could live on love for
week, you would tire Of it after while
and would begin to hunger for bread an
beef. Take the advice of "a sensible mar
do not marry until you find woman VIII
is sole possessor of small pile of gold
"Doctor, you and l have been friend
from our youth up, and | have invariabl
found your advice sound and good, but
feel disposed to give no heed to it in th
present case. Just wait till you com
across your bright, particular star, an
you'll grab her and think yourself happ
, in getting her, even if she hasn't a red
"And so you think this Alice Linvill
your bright particular star, or in othe
words the right woman. Well, if yo
, do. | suppose you had better 60 aheaG
but really. wouldn't like to marry lii
tie girl who wields the birchen stick fo
living, and who hasn't any wealth bu
the little amount of calico she carries o
her bacN.'
Doctor, I tell you, I don't care fc
| that. / knew I am poor, but I have
E strong right arm, able and willing t
work. had rather, | know, should |
a successful, be able to take Alice to
splendid house, but if she loves me 81
e will be willing to share my humble co
a tage. But, Doctor, | can talk no longe
{ | must call at Mrs. Hawley's this ever
j, ing to see if Alice Will accompany me
f the sleighing- party tonight. l suppo'
n you will be on hand2"
J, "I'll be there, bet high on that; and
i will show you a star that will eclip.
s your bright particular; and star. to-
$ that has golden light, which adds ne
r lustre to her beams
"Well, goodbye; and I wish you SUI
cess in your pursui: of pile of gold.