The Lincoln County herald., 1870-05-05
OLD HEADS AND YOUNG HEARTS

The sun was shining coyly down upon
. litsle brown house, situated on the out
skirts Of q New Epgland village, that
appeared to be battling for place and
position among the grand old mountains
By which it was surrounded.
In this little brown house, almost hid
den BY tall lilacs and sweet brier, q
mother and daughter wers conversiDg
sadly on their present and future
ut is no use, mother This is the
third time have been repulseds I was
90 sure Of this situation, and now the
principal sends me word that Judge
Whitcomb has recon mmended an old aud
experienced teacher, and the place 10 se-
cured for her. He seems to have had
something to do With every failure l have
had as yet. l cannot understand it,"
II am sfraid do, Lucy. Judge
Whitconb Is wealthy and purse proud
and knowing the attachment between you
and N orton he wishes to keep you from
place as teacher in the village, thinking
perhaps, it will force you to find employ.
ment farther away"
The rich color flushed into the beauti
full sirls cheeks, and bright luster to
her dark eyes.
sand you think that, too, is the rsa
son he sent Morton away to pursue his
studies that are taught IN our own
setoo,s2'
II DO; and furthermore, that he will
continue to place every obstacle in your
path that be possibly can. 1t is his boast
that he never undertakes q thing in
earnest and is foilcd ard it is true, or
nearly SO, l believe, for l have Known
him for over twenty gears"
Lucy's father had been dead for over
twenty years, and she had always resided
in the village where she was born, with
her mother, and vas an only child
Wien the father died, he left them the
little dwelling With Its five acres of
ground, sud few huudseds in bank
Mrs Merryman wisely thought that a
part Of this surplus could not be better
invested than in giving her daughter q
superior educatioe, SO, that If left alone
she might be able to support herself.
The village boastsd an excellent school
and at thfs she was kept until she had
| acquired all usually taught to young
ladies in the institution. She had beeu
educated to teach, aud her sort of regal
manners and easy carriage particularly
fitted hcs for the Office.
Among the boys at school, was the son
Of Judge Whtcomb, . fine, noble fellow,
| about her Own age, or a year older, per.
haps. When they were fourteen they
were pointed out by tho Older scholars a.
the "young lovers It was amusing tc
observe 'he attention he paid her. lie
gathered shc 6rst spring flowers for he,
carrie her books aud parccls-pulled
of her muddy overshocs to spare heI
dainty fngcrs--produced an umbrella il
1t rsined and seemed by his actions gen
orally to regard her as his peculiar
charge. When ,eascd by the older boys
as he often was, he would reply: "She
has no father or brother, and | am sure
somebody ought to care for and be kind
to her,
And as they grow older, by sort OF
tacit consent, they we're assigned to each
other in tho merry -mskings, iacidental
to New England village.
Judge Whltcomb, the father of Nor
ton, was grave taci,uru man, loving his
children deurly-they we're all girls bu,
Morton-but Ia his own peculiar manner
One day as he sat reading, his atten
tion was srrested by conversation be
eve en- Morton and one of his sisters, and
in which the latter was teasing him abou,
bis fondnoss for Lucy Merryman. Some
words thrown back by the brother startled
him, and he raised his eyes. and through
the open door-fer he wae in an adjoin
ing room-lsoked spon his soh, boy az
longer.
HE is q fnc manly looking youth
ccrtainly." he thought, as re gaxed mcs,
earnestly. "What If thas poor widow
daush should try to captivate him
| hava heard-yes, know Of such things
I must watch. Why, it would ruin him.
And he did watch. and became con
viuced there was danger.
My son." said he . few dsys later
when does this term of school close 2
"In three weeks, SIR"
"HeN far have you progressed sn you
Latin ?"
II shall commence my second book il
Virgil, next term, SIR"
Very we'll; I propose sending yo'
from hone to school, for term or tive
before entering college" ea..E
The son looked up in surprise "Ma,
I ssk why, sir9"
"Certaisly. l think it will be an "a
vantage to you, Your studies will pre-
eeed the same, and contact with stranger
will give you more confidence 10 you
own powers, end better dt you for you
osllegiate course. l will speak to you
mother to have all your clothing pre-
pared, aud will 60 with you ss the prope
time, to the principal CT school 10 Bos
ton, who is . personal friend. and il
whom l have much con6dencs.
The son had nothing sgsinst this rsa
senablo proposition, and at the tim
named BY his father, said good by to hi