Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-23

see YOU nave none, Maudln.
The tone was gentlemanly, the voice
sweet. 1t was an act of courtesy. Belle
was no prtide. She accepted the fan and
thanked him. a moment more, and she
had another surprise. The fat gentleman
had taken off his absuldity. That hideous,
ill-fitting stove-pipe, had concealed head
that could not have belonged to mean
or ignorant mana glorious head-all the
handsomer for its bald crown. Not bald
with age either, for certainly the face
beneath it was not over thirty-fve. 1T
looked five and forty in the hat. Belle
looked at it in sheer astonisiiment.
Hes almost handsome she thought.
''How can any one dress so absurdly ~
Then she returned the fan with courteous
bow. But her cis-a-ris would not have it.
You may need it again." he said. And
now, with his hat still off, his smile was
yet more charming; and though Mrs.
Grundy might not have approved, there
was really no great harm in chatting with
him, and SO the two talked merrily together
for miles.
to attend her to the dining-room of the
hotel, but she shook her head and told
him she had all she needed with her
Whereat the fat gentleman shook his head
doubtfully, and leaving her, returned
with ham sandwiches and pie--of which
he insisted that she should partake. Il
hate to eat Alone" he said. 81 know it's
a liberty, but do keep me company and
he never guessed how very good that din
ner tasted to little Bell, or that there were
but six crackers and one apple in the black
valise.
II suppose l shall lose your company
soon," said the fat gentleman, after IA
while Very few will go on to Lemon, as
shall
"Are you going to Lemon?" asked Belle.
Eyes, maam, to Lemon" and he gave
little sigh.
Pm going there, also," said Belle.
ITO school there"
mot to the North District School ?"
cried the fat gentleman.
Yes sir. I'm assistant there" said
Belle.
"And I'm principal. How singular! |
knew was to have an assistant, but could
not imagine-and this is Miss Bruce. My
name is Guise," and the two laughed to-
gether.
Belle felt pleased This odd man was
very genial and warm-hearted, she knew,
and he appeared TO be delighted. He re-
solved himself into her escort at once. He
behaved as brothers ought, but never do.
upon journey. He took her into Lemon
on his arm, and saw her safe at her desti
nation, and shook hands with her very
heartily when they parted.
81 expect we shall be glad of each others
society in this uncultured place" he said
Il understand that the last female teacher
was ducked for keeping in girl, and that
an effort was made to lynch the former
principal because he flogged boy. How
ever, don't feel alarmed. | think | am
able to keep you from being annoyed; and
when they once know me they will scarcely
trouble me, | think.
He was two inches shorter than Belle,
and as fat rs ever; but when he said that
in his manly, courteous. quiet way, there
was nothing in the least ridiculous about
him, and Bellies smile was genuine, and
not a hidden laugh, as she replied to him.
Her first day, or rather her first night, at
Lemon, seemed to her to promise pleas
antly. 1t was Saturday evening She
went to church naxt morning, and slept
off her fatigue in the afternoon. In the
evening she chatted with her hostess. She
was to '.board around week here and a
week there, and that night she heard
good deal about her other patrons. Miss
Smith"-Mrs. was a title never heard in
Lemon, where matrons were dubbed
Miss" and single ladies had their Chris
tian names accorded them by everybody
Hiss Smith was near, and half starved
the teachers; and Mss Jones gave them
.'th3 dispepsy, with bad bread and Miss
Brown expected herr, to ''learn all crea-
tion," and Mss Wilson wouldn't have hera
whipped.
And after the good lady had left her guest
for the night, with the parting information
that at the Halls she'd be expected to share
a truckle- bed with little Peter, she told her
spouse that the new teacher seemed to-
think there was somethin' to laugh at, but
whether it was her stories or herself she
couldn't guess.
Couldn't be me dye think, John? % she
queried. II had my gingham and my
best comb in"
And John answered, ''No," in good
faith, and added that 1.-The gal seemed
lively"
But one may laugh with heavy heart :;
and remembering her luxurious home of
four years back, and her own dainty room
with all its appliances for comfort, Mrs.
Halrs.back attic and little Peter did seem
a hard pill to swallow. Even her present
quarters, where triangle of broken look
ing glass, and tin basin on a chair were
the toilet arrangements, We're scarcely
satisfactory.
On Monday morning she went to school,
and the long room, with its dingy Win
dows, made her heart sink. The cracked
blackboard and humps of greasy chalk the
tottering desk and seats all pulled askew,
worried her. Urchins of five, and full
grown clowns of eighteen, stumbled in
and stared at her. Confusion reigned,
and she was not able to change it to order.
She sat down in despair, and then hand
touched her softly, and the fat gentleman
appeared upon the scene. 1t was, to make
use of IA bull, "a second first appearance. y
His hat was ON, his coat was buttoned to
the chin. In the act of shaking hands the
whole absurdity of his tout ensemble burst
upon Belle, and she began to laugh A
moment before she had been ready to cry
The two emotions mixed themselves, and
she went OFF into Mysteries. a magnificent
beginning, as she felt even at the time.
Somehow she was coaVeyed into ward