Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-07-27
VOLUME XVI
A WISE LITTLE WOMAN.

OUR morning studies with Scot were
over, and l, Charles Brett, was lying down
for my hours rest before luncheon. Pen
ME was leaning with folded arms on the
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
which we studied was no regular school
room, but the pretty morning room, which
Pennie-sole mistress and sole daughter
in the house-insisted on my appropriat.
ing and opposite where lay the wall
was mirrored between the two low wiz.
dows. In this mirror could see just then
a sunny, bright reflection of us all and
the contrast in our three faces struck me
almost as it had never struck me before
Pennies came first Zone could hardly
help noticing Pennie first, in whatever
group one saw her); small, brilliant, pi.
quaint face, with merry, mischievous lips
and laughing, dark-blue 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, or the arch curved lips quiver with
sympathy, had, many and many time, as
my little only sister knelt beside me in my
pain. Before this radiant little face lay
my own, upon the bright blue cushions
thin and languid, but little flushed just
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 ], with
his pale, grave, thoughtful face, and slight
n To
me into Pennies eyes, and telling her, in
the clear, earnest voice which had learn
ed SO utterly to love and lean upon, that if
she wanted her translation to be corrected
she must re-write it legibly for him.
shall have to write it out legibly
after you have corrected it," she said.
Surely that is enough labor to bestow on
the tamest bit Of all the book"
81 cannot read it as it is" began Scot,
but corrected himself, " at least, will not.
Tomorrow, Miss Brett, you will, think,
have prepared readable copy for me-"
Her eyes flashed upon him as he went
quietly on with his work.
els Charles written carefullyg" she
asked.
eyes. He gives me very little trouble
that way, you know"
II know" she replied, touching my
hand softly, "and 1 give you 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 ol
bringing dead and buried facts (chiefy fc.
tions) into the modern sunshine, for my
small brain to grasp, l would not come
and try to learn from you at all. So stiff
you are, and stern and exacting.
Scots lips, at that moment, were stern
indeed.
"Then don't come in any more, Pennie, VI
said I, laughing a little, though I spoke
with anxious earnestness.
must, because I must know all you
know, Charlie" she answered, STOPPING
impetuously 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.
If you had been anxious for instruc
tion, you would have stayed at school, ]
should think, Pennie," laughed.
"Oh, ladies cannot teach," she said, in
her pretty and thoroughly laughable little
assumption of dictatorship, mo lady ever
taught me anything"
Scot laughed quietly. "No one can
teach" he said, unless the pupil will re-
spect their teaching. cannot teach you
1OT tudG T0dSOu.
Why, Scot" said Pennie, raising her
eyebrows, and pursuing up her small, red
lips, respect you intensely. l always
feel kind Of awe overshadow1ng me when
you are near me. would hardly dare to
venture into your presence, only 1 must be
as clever as Charlie, so must be taught
by Charles tutor"
"Charlie's tutor is always at your SER
vice." returned Scot, gravely "but while
1 teach you, you must obey me. While I
teach you that is all I ask. When lessons
are over, claim no further authority"
"Of course not" laughed Pennie, "and
your claim is small. From ten to one you
require authority unlimited, and think it
is ten to one you will have it."
Then shall decline to give you an
other lesson at ALL" rejoined Scot, quite in
earnest, though he laughed little.
"All right, Scot, only you see have
learned (amOng smatterings of dead Ian
guages) to know that you always say that,
and always don't enforce it. You should
enforce your laws, my tutor"
Looking at Scot, and waiting for his an
swer, saw his face change. While his
hands were still busy, patient, far-off
look stole into his dark, grave eyes, and l
knew without turning who had opened
the door behind me. Walter Cowen, his
half-brother came up and leaned beside
Pennie, looking never once at me, giving
me no handshake, no thought, until he
had feasted his eyes upon the little win
ming face, which had frightened so won
derfully at his coming. Before turned !
glanced moment into the mirror again,
and somehow could not help fancying
that the whole picture was changed. Wal
ter's handsome debonnaire face, and lazy,
lounging figure had brought some new ele.
ment into the scene-a quick, throbbing
happiness, an idle, careless unrest.
Breaking in upon my sudden, silent
thought, Scots few quiet words had an
odd effect.
"How is my mother to-day, Walter?"
Complaining little, as usual, old fel
low, and, as usual, very unwilling for me
to leave her"
did she send me a message?'
"Not bit of it. Her only parting
prayer to me was not to ride Satanella."
"And suppose you mounted her imme
diately?" / asked, beginning to feel Lit
tie tired, and wishing they would go.
No, for was in the saddle when sh,
spoke. You will ride with me this after
noon, won't you, Pennie?"
And Pennie, who loved these rides will
Walter more than anything else through
all her day, blushed gladly as she nodded
her Yes.
"Come now for stroll in the garden
| came early on purpose for that" sail
Walter in the loving tone of appreciation
which led Pennie irresistibly.
She whispered goodbye to me, ant
they went off together through the low
open window; their happy voices comm,
back to us on the scented summer breath
Day after day Scot and watched then
walking together; yet though they fillet
our hearts, we never spoke Of them whel
we two were left behind.
II shall leave you now, Charlie, TO
your rest"
Where are you going?" I asked, fo
Scot generally sat with me reading through
this hour
Not far. dear fellow" he answered
setting my pillows comfortably for me
Il shall be ready to drive you at ou
| usual time"
Left to myself, I tried very hard to thin
of nothing; and, of course, thought q
many, many things; trying to put ther
ctr o on6 n1aooorf nc oil I,,+ c..1-