The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-12-23
CHRIS rnAs
ny \ OF -FOUR

with a merry song t1iOuS" '-0
mountain wall, lies the quiet little
village Of Southampton.
That something unusual bad or
was about to happen was patent TO
the eve of the most casual observer.
The faces Of the men anl boys gath
cred around the village store wore a
look of expectancy. A aeweemer
might have satisfied bis curiosity ID
regard to the wondering looks Of he
villagers by listening to the CONVEX
sation ofa knot Of idle boys, who sat
on the railing to which customers
fastened their horses.
Its a shame" Bill Barton was
saying. The idea Of sending a girl
here to teach Us boys. when old
H~eayystick couldn't master Us last
winter, bat well make her sick OF u
boys
The speaker was a youth o. SIX
teen or seventeen. with red hair, a
low forehead and a mouth that spread
from to ear, as it was opened TO
be relieved cf a double charge of to-
bacco Juice.
II say. boys, we can't lock her cut
or chuck her into the creek like We
did old Heavystick. | move that we
all behave ourselves this winter and
see il We can't have a good school
The second speaker was fully as
tall, though perhaps not as old as the
FIRST: be had a less muscular appear
anee. but what he lacked in that
respect, be more than made up by his
superior agility. 1t was Harry
Haughton, the son Of the ~storekeeper
and the acknowledged leader Of the
village boys. lie could shoot the
head of a turkey or kill a deer at a
hundred yards. In running, leaPing
or wrestling be had no equals.
While the boys were still debating
as to their plans for the future, some
siding with Harry and others with
Bin. an old fashioned chaise drew up
st the door. The driver, turning TO
the young lady who was its sole oc-
capant, said gruhly,
Here we are,n and taking a
bucket proceeded to water his horses
from a neighboring pump.
Harry, with true courtesy that
marked the gentleman, despite the
suit Of homespun, stepped forward,
assisted the lady to alight and es-
coried her into the house. The
grateful "thank You" more than re-
paid him.
You are TIE new school ma'am,
said Mrs. Haughton, extending her
hand and greeting the stranger cor
daily. Take of your bonnet and
shawl. We were expecting you yes
terday and couldn't imagine what
kept you"
Il was unayoidably delayed for a
day at home" replied the girl in a
low soft voice that had a ring Of sor-
row in il.
Il expect you viii find it a pretty
bard school TO manage. The boys
didn't Ike Mr.. Heavystick, the
teacher we had last winter, 50 one
day they barred the school house
dor, and when he went 10 punish
some Of them for it, they all made a
rush at him and carried him down to
the creek and gave him a thorough
soaking. The poor man caught a
terrible cold, which came ncar being
ihe death of him; the Doctor brought
Kim through it, however, but he gave
up the school,"
II think | can get along with
them" said the new school mistress
with an amused smile at the misfor-
tune Of her predecessor. Il suppose
they win hardly drop me into the
creek"
Mrs. Haughton bustled out Of the
room to attend to the dinAer, leaving
Miss Mary alone.
Laying her hat aside, she took a
book from the table and seated her
selfat the window. She made a pretty
picture, AT least Harry Haughton
thought so, looking through the open
door. She was a small, delicately
formed girl. Her head was proudly
set IN her graceful shoulders, her
mouth exquisitely cut, and her hazel
eyes shone with a brilliant light, asifI
TO warn the observer from gazing too
often at the sad, sweet smile that
lurkeG on the lips. Ap7ofusioa ofligbt
brown hair completed the picture.
After dinner Mrs. Haughton show
ed Mary to her room. II hope you
will find it pleasant; it is on the sun
ny side Of the house" said that lady,
as she closed the door after her.
Mary seated herself on the side of
the low bed and looked around the
apartment which she was to call her
own during the coming winter.
The floor was covered with a neat
rag carpet, while the gaudy red of
the paper that covered the walls was
relieved here and there by a quaint
old engraving. Beneath The mirror
was a small picture of Evangaline,
which appeared to have a snperhat-
nral attraction for her.
Il, too, am an Evangeline, she
said, while her eyes filed with tears
Would to God that Paul, like EvaD-
geline's lover, had been taken an ay
so that knew not where, then Ike
her ! might have boned "a ueet him