Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-07-12


lettered people. With such tuition, it is
: not to be wondered that he spoke as he did o
: Mabel Ashley He was ca ptivated with bel
face fairer than that of the naughty CIR
chosen for his bride, and had the new teach
er been wealthy, Miss Maxwell, the heiress
would have missed lover
With wonderful swiftness Miss Ashley
twined her heart about those of the people
OF Brompton. Her teaching received enco-
NUNS from every quarter, and no teacher had
pleased the children as well as she, To her
unadorned loneliness Of person, she added
those attributes of character which raise
life-ftting her for them as she advances.
Ned Parsons worshipped her from afar
long before be reached her side, and he be.
came frequent visitor at the school. Some
times he went alone, at other periods he was
accompanied by some Of Brompton's beau
ties, near and dear friends of Miss Ashley.
Never to him did the new teacher whis.
per word regarding her anticipations, and
he was wondering if it had rot been coined by
some of the village gossips, to supply the
want of something new to talk about. He
tried to ascertain something about her an
cestry, and nothing could he learn, save the
fact that she was an orphan, alone in the
world, possessing no relatives who we're dis
posed to notice her.
Ned has been completely taken in by
that GIRL said Darcy Aiken, one evening,
to friend, as young Parsons and Miss
Ashley walked by their accustomed seat be-
fore the villages only public resort. i
told him exactly how it would be, and after
while he'll come to me and say that I
was right. Barlow, I've reached the con.
clusion that that girl is cunning adventu-
ress, and she is after hold on Ned's purse
strings, not his heart. What little Of that
vital organ he does possess, she got long
ago. could have welded that girl but [
saw through her deception, and wisely kept
aloof
The speakers friend sanctioned his words,
and both yearned for the time when they
should see Ned Parsons repent Of his Ash
ley worship, as they were pleased to style.
his attentions to the new teacher
They knew-that is, in their own minds
they were morally certain-that the beau
tiful Miss Ashley was an adventures, and
they, did not hesitate to proclaim that belief
abroad.
Here comes our teacher cried little
girl, one balmy morning, her little eyes
flashing with delight. as she sprang to her
feet and held a string of meadow BUTTER
cups to the vision of loneliness that was ap-
preaching them.
See, Miss Mabel what pretty flowers
Why last evening I couldn't find flower
in the meadow, but now it is filled with
them. I wondered if the angels did not
open them last night, while we sleptp
The little flower gatherers turned their
eyes upon their teacher, and when she
reached their company, they saw she had
been weeping.
She. said few words in praise Of the
pretty flowers the children had gathered.
and then buried her face in her white
hands.
For many moments the scholars respect.
ed the trouble Of their new teacher, and
none dared to speak until she raised her
head.
What is the matter, Miss Mabel ? whis-
pered little girl, stealing to the teachers
side. and yenturing to take her hand. Tell
us what troubles you2
With her hand Mabel Ashley brushed the
tears from her cheek, and looked up at her
devoted scholars.
Children, you must have heard it, she
said. yes, you must have heard what
darcy Aiken and his friends have styled
me-
The little ones were silent They had
heard Of Darcy Aiken's words in the fami-
ly circle, but they never believed them, nor
had mentioned it to Mabel.
But that SANDER is not all children, said
Mabel; "tbis morning I received note
from the school committee, telling me to
draw what pay was due me, and quit the
community. It is all his work, he hates
me for some unknown reason. meyer saw
him until came tbither. Oh, why does he
pcrsecute one who never harmed him-who
is nothing to him ?
Before the children could speak, for their
little eyes swan in tears Of sympathy,
fcotstep indicated the approach Of some ona,
and turning, Mabel Ashley beheld Ned Par.
sons hurrying across the meadow towards
him. His foot steps had just left tho gray
eled walk running down from the school
house.
His gait proclaimed that something agita-
ted him, and his face flushed with indigna-
ton when he paused at the teachers side.
e'Mabel, he said, you are not going to
obey the orders placed in your hands this
morning?
His voice couched in an imperative tone,
and he fastened his eyes upon the girl, as
he spoke.
dare not disobey,' she said. Tho name
Of each commissioner was appended to that
command, which admits Of no preyarication.
1t is draw pay and go.'
You shall not co. he said You must
teach ont your allotted time The MAORI
ty of the Brompton people so declare. I
tell you there's a mighty excitement over
that order. 1t the honest poor against
the rich. This is all DARCY Akens work
Such meu as Noah Brompton and Ezra
Long, say you shall not submit to the COM
missioners orders, and I. too, say that you
shall not, Already the men, Influenced by
: Mark Aiken and his son, have taken their
children from beneath your eye, but you
will still have enough to keep you busily
} employed
J 1t was in vain that Mabel Ashley told
Ned Parsons that she did not wish to be the
} cause Of any trouble between the citizens Of
Brompton, he declared that be bore the will
of the major part of the people, and that the
school should proceed.
! But why does Darcy Aiken hate me ?
0 she asked.
, 'Why?' and the young man glanced
, around upon the children. .I'll tell you