Mower County transcript., 1871-08-03
Miscellany.
A WISE LITTLE WOMAN.

Our morning. studies with Scot we're
over, and l, Charles Brett, was lying down
for my hours rest before luncheon. Pen
ME was leaning With folded arms on tho
back of my sofa, provoking Scot as indus
triously as she could, while he slowly
closed and put away the books she had left
in confusion on the table. This room in
room, but tho pretty rnorains room, which
Pennic-s"lc mistress and sole daughter
in the house-insisted ON my appropriate
ing; and opposite where lay the wall
was mirrOred between the two low wiz
dows. In this mirror could see just then
sunny, bright reflection Of US all and
the contrast in our three faces struck me
almost rs it had never struck INC before.
Pennies came first Zone could hardly
help noticing Pennie first, i'll whatever
group one saw her); small, brilliant, pi-
quaint face, with merry, mischievOus lips,
and laughing, dark eyes, that seemed
to know no SORROW and no pain. Yet,
though no one else in all the house had
seen the gay eyes melt to Infinite tender
ness, rr the arch-curved lips culver with
sympathy, had, many and many time, as
my little only sister kHclt beside me in my
pain. Before this radinnt little face lay
my own, upon the bright blue cushions,
j
nOW-nOt from my studies, as Pennie
said, but from the many wide thoughts of
which she was the center. Then, last of
all, before my couch stood Scot Cowen,
my tutor, Yet scarcely older than l., with
his pale, grave, thoughtful face, and slight,
nervous figure. He was looking across
Inc into Pennies eyes, and telling her, in
the clear, earnest voice which had learn
cd 50 utterly to love and lean upon, that if
she wanted her translation to be corrected
she must rc-wri!e it lcgibly for him.
shall have to write it out lcgibly
after You have corrected it," she said
Surely that is enough labor to bcstow On
the tamest bit Of all the book"
II cannot read it as it is," began Scot,
but corrected himself "at least, will not.
morrow, Miss Brett, you will, think,
have prepared readable copy for me-"
Her eyes flashed upon him rs he went
quietly on with lis work.
Is Charles written carefully?" she
asked.
"Yes. lie gives me very little trouble
that way, you know"
know" she replied, touching my
hand softly, land give you a good deal.
But let me assure you that you give me
infinitely more, Scot. If it were not that
you are oddly gifted with the power of
i,rnging dead and buried facts (chicfiy fic-
,i"nsl into the modern sunshine, for my
small brain \" grasp, / would not come
aud try to learn from you at nll. 3" still
you arc, and stern and exaC,ing.
Scots lips, ut that moment, were stern
indeed
"Then don't come in any more, Penni",'
said l, laughing IL little, though | spoke
with anxious carneetuesS
must, because must know all you
know, Charlie" che answered, STOPPING
impetu0usly to kiss me- "a little act of hers
which always thrilled me with pain when
She did it in this room, while Scot was
with us.
"lf you had been anxious for instruc
tion, you would have stayed at school,
should think, Pennie," laughed.
ooh, ladies' cannot tcach,' she said, ir
her pretty and thoroughly laughable littl,
assumption of dictatorship, mo lady eve
taught me anything"
Scot laughed quietly. "No one ca,
teach,'' he said, "unless the pupil will re
spcct their teaching. cannot teach yo,
tor that reason"
"Why, Scot" said Pennie, raising hc
eyebrows, and pursuing up her small, ree
lips, respect you intensely. l Away
feel kind of awe overshadowlng me wheI
y'" are near me- would hardly dare t.
vcn,"r' INT" your presence, only must b.
Hs 1 g, % vrI as Charlie, 20 l must be taugh
by Charles tutor"
"Charlic's tutor is ALWAYS at vo,r GER
vice. r't'rned Scot, grave, y but while
teach you, you must obey me. Whjle
teach you that is all ask When ,,..."n! uv
are over, claim no further authority"
"Of course not" laughed Pcnnic, "an,
your claim is small. From ten to one vn,
require authority unlimited, and think
is ten to one you will have it,
"Tben shall decline to yivc you al,
other lesson at all" rejoine'l Scot, quite i
earnest, though he laughed little.
"All right, Scot, only you see | hav
learned (among smatterings of dead lar
guages) to know that you always say tha
and always don't enforce it. You shoul
enforce your laws, my tutor"
Looking at Scot, and waiting for his ar
swer, saw his face change While hi
hands were still busy, patient, faro
look stole into his dark, grave eyes, and
. knew without turni,g who had opcne
the door b. hind me. Walter Cowen, bi
half:brother came up ard leaned besid
Pennie, looking never once at me, givin
me no handshake, no thought, until h
had feasted his eyes upon the little win
ming face, which had frightened SO won