Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-24
naiIp gwnutbtt goutnal.
sCHOOLMAsTER OF RUSSIAN BAR.
rcoNcLrpEp FROM YEsTERpAY.l

Houghton turned quietly from the win
dow, and saw the blue smoke from ciga-
rette arising from where Seymour sat.
what is your name. boy?" he asked,
in stern tone.
MY name is Seymour replied the
mutineer, insolently.
.And are you smoking
II guess So"
Leave the ROOM
Il guess not"
There was dead silence in the school
room now, and Houghton felt that the
hour of trial was at hand
Seymour" he said again. very quiet
IL.
WHAT"
Come here"
Seymour, putting his hands in his peck
cts, sauntered from his desk, stood with
in yard Of the schoolmaster. and looked
sneeringly in his face.
Leave the ROOM" said Houghton
again. in lower tone.
Ne
The little arm Strengthened like flash
OF lightning. and the rebel measured his
length on the floor, whilst the blood
gushed from his nostrils. In moment
he sprang to his fee, and rushed iuriously
1T 1.-THE schoolmaster. but went down again
like a reed before that well aimed blow.
The second time lie fell, Houghton stoop.
ed down and lifting him up as if he had
been child, fairly flung him outside the
door. Seymour. confused and amazed,
staggered down to the brook to wash his
face and reflect on the wonderful force of
that slight arm.
And Hou2hton, turning to the school.
without word of comment on the scene,
commenced the recitations.
Walker was mum. Seymour's fate had
appalled, him, and in fact, the mutinous
spirit of the scholars of Russian Bar was
in fair way of being totally suodued.
When the trustees heard of the affair
they unanimously commended the school
masters pluck.
81 tell you what, boys" said Perkins to
a crowd who were earnestly engaged at Il
game at old sledge in the bar room, that
Houghton knows a thing or two about
managing boys. He'll fix 'em off. or my
names not Perkins"
A New PURSUIT.
Houghton was Hospitality treated by the
q man Of refinement brought down in the
world, but showing no offensive superiori-
ty in his intercourse with them. The Doc
tors wife pronounced him to be the best
New Yorker she had ever met, and the
gossips insinuated that Mrs. Blunt the
widow, was setting her cap for him.
Gypsy Lane, the daughter of leading
man in Russian Bar and made wealthy by
!. saw mill, which all day long groaned
and screamed some distance down the
river. did not express her opinion as to
Houghton's merits; but in the Summer
evenings, when the schoolmaster, rod in
hand, wandered along the stream, and
threw his line across the milldam, Gypsey
was seldom far away. Lane, a bluff
hearty old fellow, frequently asked
Houghton TO spend the evening with him.
and told his adventures in early California
to a patient listener, while Gypsy dutifully
mended her fathers socks on the verandah.
Mrs. Lane, when Gypsy was but q baby,
was laid to rest in Lone Mountain, long
before Lane ever thought of settling al
Russian Bar. Seymour and Walker were
the best and most industrious pupils the
young master had, and were happy when
accompanying him on his excursions. In
fact, all agreed declaring that the educa-
tional department in the. village was
thriving success.
One pleasant evening in June, Gypsy
Lane, twirling her straw hat, thoughtfully
picked her way across the broad fields that
lay between her home and the MILL The
stream was a winding one, and as she
placed her tiny foot on the first stepping
stone, she saw straw hat on the grass
which she well knew.
''How is Miss Lane this evening ?" said
Houghton, lazily, from beneath man.
zanita bush, where he had been enjoying
book and pipe.
well, thank you. How is Mr.. Hough-
ton?'' replied Gypsy, shyly.
Warm, but not uncomfortable. Are
You going to the mill ?"
Eyes. have letter that has lust come
for father"
MAY ! accompany you?"
Certainly, if you choose"
Houghton put on his hat and helped
Gypsy across the brook.
II had a letter from New York Il few
days ago." said he, after they had left the
first bend OF the river behind.
"A pleasant one?'
''Well .-although in one sense il brought
good news, still can hardly call it n
pleasant letter."
Ihey walked on, ana gypsy swung her
hat pensiyely, longing, with woman's
curiosity, to hear more about the New
York letter.
81 am going TO leave Russian Bar
said Houghton, abruptly.
Indeed; how soon?"
Il don't know yet; possibly withio a
week.
The hat was swayed from side TO side
with increased energy
do you care much, Miss Lane ?" This
with an earnest look into the brown hazel
eyes that were kept steadily quiet on the
brown parched grass beneath their feet.
'Yes, OF course we shall all be sorry to
lose you," returned Gypsy, ovasively.
al come back in few months with
something for my future wife, shall see
this ring on her tinger?" whispered
Houghton, capturing the little hand that
held the hat, and Shipping II pearl ring on
the delicate finger.
Gypsy said nothing; but her eyes
turned for a moment on the schoolmas-
ter's earnest face, and in the next her
soft cheek was resting on his shoulder.
Russian Bar, to man. turned out 10
wish Philip Houghton God speed on the
morning he took his ,,lace h,- tho drivar