Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-04-30
SELECTED STORY
ELLEN CLAYVlLLE:
OR, THE NEW SOHOOLMASTER. ~.
-91.+ -' iti.lf i--f- -l3s5f1nis
By wM. EDWARD KNOWLES.
~ 32.sA-t '.l 8d
CHAPTER l.
= CHAPTER I.
BIZ WIN. EDWARD KNOWLES.


On the bend of a pleasant road, not far
from a small but thriving village in one OF
the Eastern States, there stood some years
ago, a small, neat cottage, with green blinds
and an Uncovered porch
1t stood somewhat back from The road, and
was shut out from its dust and noise by a
luxuriant hedge Of wel-trained orange
shrubs The shaded garden walks were laid
out with the dunyarying regularity that
marked the whole premises 8. ~ aeA !
Winding with many a graceful turn, they
led the visitor among oval flower beds, arti-
fetal ponds and shaded arbors everywhere
the same neateess and good-taste prevailed.
and told, even to the most casual observer,
that the proprietor could not be otherwise
than intelligent, educated and wealthy "a
And Mr.. ,Clayville, the owner OF, this
tasteful residence, possessed all the qualifca-
tions-nay, even more. 70 these were uni
ted benevolence, Christian philanthropy, and
unaffected goodness Of heart. The stranger
and the houseless wanderer ever found
welcome at his door; and the needy were
never tarned away unsatisfed.
Mr.. Clayvilie was wealthy. In the height
Of mercantile prosperity he had retired from
business, and purchased the neat cottage
near the small village. While preparing to
settle down in the full enjoyment of life, his
Ueloycu ~e---r-.,- .-2.-l--~- c-~,..4
him as speedily as the trembling dewdrop is
exhaled before the morning sun.
h Business now become more irksome than
before, and with his only child, Ellen, he
lived almost in hermit-like seclusion E;
Not that he had suddenly become mis-
anthrope, but this recent and unlocked Tor
bereavment had partially destroyed all relish
for society.
This melancholy soon wore away, now
ever, and he again appeared occasionally a
mong his friends, and rustic neighlbors ;
chatting freely with them, and even consult
ing them in the laying cut OF his grounds
around the cottage. q 't-. sfaf1i' p,
His time was devoted to the care and ed
ucation of his daughter, who, being an only
child, was Of course petted and honorsd py
an indulgent parent.
One afternoon Mr.. Clayville sat IN his
library, alone. He was fine specimen OF
gentleman, hale and hearty, thong II his once
raven locks were now slightly sprinkled with
grey. 80 49, ,sa4sf 7.,1f,
His features were regular and were marked
by a spirit OF discrimination spirit Of stern
ness, yet mingled with, and softened down
by smile Of kindly feeling He possessed
the rare faculty of gaining his ends by
pleasantness Of manner, that was not under
stood until they we're accomplished. - .
Ashe sat half-dreaming in his high backed
chair, in his wcll-filled library, his eye kin
died up anew, and his smile grew more pleas
ant, as the light step Of his daughter echoed
through the hall. sa.
Many said that Ellen Clayville was beauti-
full. And those people spoke the truth:
Her dark hair hanging in glossy ringiets
over her rounded cheek, and her still dark
er eyes, peering from beneath that wreath Of
curls, won many heart, and walked many
thrill of unspoken love. Then she was as
good as she was beautiful, q and had such
winning ways that it was impossible not to
love her. .. .'t'"sal Hs
True, she was little self-Yilled but her
indulgent father good naturedly let her have
her own way, and smiled away her eeyish-
ness, till it yerged into tears and kisses Of
"Father," said she, as she entered the
apartment, ..We are to have new school
master at the village school and he wishes,
this pleasant weather, to board with US
that the longer walks may give more exer-
cise than nearer residence. But he must
be disappointed, must he not 2" .,t5.,..t
ea"Wby p asked the old man, good iru'
moredly. = <..' 9's
Because we can live more happily alone:
and l know that can nese like him" she
replied half angrily.
'"But, Nelly, that need not trouble you
in the least" replied her father, with one
of his sweetest smiles. "You need moi
speak to him, or look at him besides ou1
maids will not have to labor any the harder
for the addition of new boarder. He has
spoken to me about coming here, and | have
partly promised him that he might"
II know [ shan't like him; and l will
let him know that I do not" said the beau
ty, half-pouting. ra
We'll, well, continued the olo 4en'ie-
man, ssyou need not like him without you
have mind TO, but am told that he is &C
complished, and well-ftted to take charge
of the senior classes of our school. 1T may
be, that he can teach every language-lt &c.
you can recite to him, instead Of to me.
Ellen did not answer. There was some
thing in her fathers manner, while speak
ing. that completely puzzled her. She
could not solve it and for the first time IN
her life, she was unable to understand his
meaning by his words. :.
"Well, Nelly, we will drop The subject
lest some one should suddely appear enne sur
prise us in family quarrel. Let the fls
impressions with Mr.. Evans. the new teach
Ell, be good ones; otherwise. vsgmay have
to strive a long time to make up for impru
low -