Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-08-08

qulcly.
spare her 2" echoed her mother, 81
don't think | can. Who'll tend Jamie,
and do thousand other things, should
like to know? No, child don't talk any
more such nonsense. Another year will
do to talk about that"
Alas, poor Polly all her dreams van.
ished into thin air, and when she went
to bed she felt like the little girl in
/ PuHch, who wanted 10 enter convent
because she found that the world was
hollow, and her doll was stuffed with
sawdust But the next morning, through
some smoothing away Of obstacles on her
fathers part, she was told she might ap.
ply for the school. Oh, wha' a happy
girl she was, as she thanked her mother
over md over, kissed Jamie a dozen
times, and snatChing her sunbonnet OIL
its peg, ran half the way to old Mr.
Squill's to ask for the situation
"lf you stand the examination, l guess
you can have it, said the old farmer,
when Polly made her timid appeal at
Twill be pretty tough one, though
ooh, | can study in the meantime.
When will it take place?' She asked.
lem me see. Next Wednesday, |
guess"
an be ready by that time. Good
morning. And she walked sedately
down the path. She did not run now;
no, she was too old for that. One moment
seemed to have made a dozen years differ
enCe in her age, and she felt that as the
future schOolmistress of Everton, great
responsibility lay upon her shoulders,
ienCeforth, she must set an example Tor
all EvertOn to follow. She wondered
that evening as she carried the milk up to
the Great House, so called from its size,
if the schoolmistress hadn't about the
same duties ms the rector, and II the hearts
rs well as the heads were not intrusted to
her charge. Yes" she said to herself,
as she walked along with the milk can,
Il shall need to be very dignitied now, or
they will accuse me of frlyolity | shall
not say anything hateful to Blanche Cray
ton any more; perhaps she will not treat
me SO shabbily, when she understands my
/ position"
Tap, tap tap, at the kitchen door OF the
/ Great House, and the red faced COOK
opened the door with CHEEKY, Good
morning, Polly! How be all the folks?''
Quite well, thank you" answered
Polly, with so much dignity that the cook
looked earnestly at her for moment,
but before she had time to ask the qucs.
ton which tremhled on her lips, Blanche
bounded into the room.
"How do you do, Miss Milkmaid?''
How's business; find it protitable?" ex-
claimed she, tauntingy.
Polly's cheeks burned, but she answer
ed grayely
Quite so for those who'vc nothing else
to depend upon"
Blanche looked coolly at her, and said,
" Really now! The young lady behaves
herself for once. Why doesn't she answer
me in the gentle spirit she has always used
before. 1t would be so refreshing to hear
such soothing words, ana Blanche shook
out her silken skirts, and tossed her gold
en- Curls with such a provoking air that
an angry answer was trembling on Polly S
lips, when she suddenly remembered her
resolve. Shutting her teeth hard, she
looked away at Blanche, out owe" the
green landscape, and when Blanche, dis
appointed in her attempt to elicit an
angry retort, Haunted out of the room
with grand flourish, Polly breathcd a
sigh of reiiet.
q You're a most patient girl, said the
cook, approvingly, as she handed Polly
the empty can.
A flush of pleasure lighted the girls
face, and bidding the cook pleasant
good night she walked slowly homcwaTd.
How thankful she felt that She had said
no unpleasant thing to Blanche 1t was
something to think of for days after
Mother, mother, I've Won the school,
and Mr. Squils said passed the best cX.
animation of ALL" ana Polly threw her
self excitedly into a chair.
"Well, I'm glad of it. l hope YOU
satisfied now
Indeed, am, mother; for shall be
earning the oil you know she said, as
she stopped to kiss her mothers check
@ You may keep the oil for yourself,
dear, said the father, coming in at the
kitchen door. I've just had some good
luck. and here are two handsome lamps
and the oil, too. You won't have to burn
the spluttcrer any longer, w,io," and Mr.
Marston put the lamps ON the table, and
stood back and ga2ed at them with par
donable pride.
ooh, YOU dear, good father; Pm SC
glad" and Polly Rugged them all IN an
ecstasy Of delight,
At the end of the first month OF hci
school, Polly brought home her wages
and exhibited them with a sense OF I'M
portance she could not well conceal
Polly" said her father, don't grow
vain. I'm glad you are successful, butyou
must remember that money is not all there
is TO life.
She put the money away, resolved &c
keep ii until it amassed itself into sum
large enough to buy her piano. hat
was now the great desire OF her heart
She thought that piano would ensure
her happiness for life Blanche Crartor
PLAYED the piano, and laughed at her
because, lin Blanchc's phraseologyl rshc
could only play on the dishpan.' Polly
had too good a sense of her reputation
now to endanger it by any little titis with
Blanche; besides she was learning that
though ''gpeech is silver silence is gold
en-, and 50 she let Blanche's unpleasant
sayings pass in dignitied silence. The
memory of them ranked deep, however
and in her heart was q strong desire t.
repay Blanche for all her unkindness
toward her. Polly was very successful n
her school, Notwithstanding that many
prophesied a failure. She was universally
beloved by her pupils and strpTe in every
way to bring them to high standard
both in scholarship and department
From the time she entered the school
everything seemed to prosper with her
Blanche turned up her nose, when she wa
told of it, and said loftily, 1--WE must b'
inaugurating a new state Of things, WheI
our milkmaids become school mistresses
1t speaks well for the intelligence Of ouI
community
Poor Polly heard of it, and felt very
J bitter for awhile, but the feeling sooI