Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-03-05


TO the brook to wash his face and reflect
On the wonderful force of that slight
arm. And Houghton, turning to the
school without word OF comment on
the scene, commenced the recitation.
Walker was mum. Seymours fate had
appalled, him, and, in fact, the entire
mutinous spirit of the scholars of Rus
sian Bar was in fair way OF being to-
tally subdued.
When the trustees heard of the affair
they unanimously commended the
schoolmaster' pluck.
"I tell you what, boys" said Perkins
to crowd who were earnestly engaged
at game of old sledge in his bar-room,
"that Houghton knows thing or two
about managing boys. He'll fix EN- Oft,
or my names not Perkins"
Houghton was Hospitality treated by
the folks at Russian Bar. They felt
him to be a man of refinement, but
brought down in the world, but showing
no offensive superiority in his intercourse
with them. Thedoctor' swifepronounced
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.
Gypsey Lane, the daughter of lead
ing man in Russian Bar, and made
wealthy by saw mill, which, all day
long groaned and screamed some dis
lance 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 mill-dam, Gypsey was sell
dom far away. Lane, a bluff, hearty
old fellow, frequently asked Hougton to
spend the evening with him, and told
his adventures in early California to a
patient listener, while Gypsey dutifully
mended her fathers socks on the We
randall.
Mrs. Lane, when Gypsey was but
baby, was laid to rest in Lone Noun
tain long before Lane ever thought of
settling at Russian Bar. Seymour and
Walker were the best and most indus
trious pupils the young master had and
were happy in accompanying him ON
his fishing excursions. In fact, they all
agreed that the educational department
in the village was thriving success.
One pleasant evening in June Gyp-
sey Lane, twirling her straw hat,
thoughtfully picked her way across the
broad field that lay between her house
and the mill. The stream was a wind
ing one, and as she placed her foot on
the first stepping stone she saw a straw
hat on the grass which she knew well. !"
Chow is Miss Lane this evening 2"
said Houghton, lazily, from beneath a
Manzanita bush, where he had been en-
joying book and pipe.
"Well, thank you. How is Mr..
Houghton ?" replied Gypsey, shyly.
"Warm, but not uncomfortable. Are
you going to the mill ?"
Yes, have letter that has just
come for father"
=" May accompany yeu ?"
Certainly, if you choose"
Houghton put on his hat and helped
Gypsey across the brook.
:" 1 had letter from New York a few
days ago." said he, after they had lief
the first bend of the river behind.
a pleasant one ?"
"Well, although in some sense it
brought good news, still can hardly
call it a pleasant letter."
They walked on and Gypsey swung
her hat pensively, longing with wo-
mans curiosity, to hear more about the
New York letter.
Z" I am going to leave Russian Bar, p"
said Houghton abruptly.
Indeed, how soon ?"
"I don't know yet; possibly within
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 hazel
eyes that were kept steadily bent on the
brown parched grass beneath their feet.
eyes, of course, we shall be very
sorry to lose you" returned Gypsey,
evasively.
eff come back in few months with
something for my future wife, shall l
see this ring on her frger?" whispered
Houghton, capturing the little hand
that held the hat, and slipping pearl
ring ON her delicate finger.
Gypsey said nothing but her eyes
turned for a moment ON the school
masters earnest face, and in the next
her soft cheek was resting on his shout
der.
Russian Bar, to man, turned out to
wish Philip Horghton God speed on the
morning he took his place by the driver
who one year before had set him down
at Perkins Hotel. They knew he was
on his way to New York, and that he
had been left some money, and the
gossips more than suspected that there
was something between Gypsey Lane
and their favorite. At all events, her
eyes were red for week after his de-
partrire.
Winter had come and the river was
swollen and rapid, and many a lofty
tree from the pine forest had found its
way to the hearths of Russian Bar. One
delicious morning, crisp and cold, after
nights rain, the stage with mud,
halted before Perkins Hotel. 1t had
been all night on the way, for the roads
were very heavy.
The worthy proprietor of that excel
lent house was in the act of tossing his
first cocktail, when hearty hand was
laid his shoulder, ard Philip Houghtor
shouted:
EPerkinS old how how are you 7"