The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-08-18

tween the rival families. In school the
youthful Capulets waged war against
the teacher Montague, darkly threaten
ing that they would "make it too hot
for him." which they did in this wise:
The stove stood in the center of the
room, between the desk and the pupils
benches. There were five rows of these,
and in each row the benches were
Joined together by their sides being set
into two narrow strips of plank. These
planks were firmly screwed to the floor;
but one morning the mutinous Capulets,
aided and abetted by the "big boys" re-
moved the screws which kept in place
the middle row of benches, slipping
rollers underneath the strip of plank.
Then they ensconced themselves in the
back seats of this row, as usual the seats
in front of them being unoccupied. At
the teachers advent they were coming
their lessons diligently; but as he rose
at the desk to conduct the morning ex-
ercises, a startling creaking was heard,
followed by rumbling as of thunder,
and he looked up the aisle, to see the
detached seats charging down on him
like a train of cars. They dashed
against the stove, upsetting it, and
bringing the funnel to the floor with an
the room, shouting and stamping.
"Order! Let us have OrderW cried
the distracted master, frenziedly clutch
ing at the scattered fire-brands.
"Order that we will. Well order
you outw yelled the rebellious Capu-
lets, ejecting him from the window, and
locking the door upon him.
A little later DR.. Rodman, returning
from a professional call in the neighbOr-
hood, overlook him, rushing home hat
less, and learned the whole story.
GAS you go by the supervisors, l wish
you'd be kind enough to tell her she
must look for new teacher" said the
outraged Montague, in conclusion. "I'm
thinking she won't find him in this
country"
lam constrained to say DIR. Rodman
felt wicked enjoyment in delivering
this message. He was willing that Miss
Wentworth should be harassed by her
unwomanly duties. Besides, he was
anxious to know how she would act in
this matter.
"You begin to see what you have un-
dertaken, Zilpha," said he patronizing-
ly. "At best, that ward district is a
tract of heathendom, and after this
fresh outbreak in the school, no re-
bpCCldOlC Ildu llSh his IGpuBdbiOI
in it. What will you do? ?'
"Teach it myself until I can get
substitute"
"Zilpha, are you insane? You haven't
the least idea what you are talking
about. What could you, what could
any lady, do with those barbarians
They'd scalp you alive. They'd tear
you limb from limb"
He was pacing the floor excitedly.
ooh no. Boys have a certain chiv-
airy; they'll respect lady. Or if they
should prove uumanageable-which I'm
bound they shan't, you knOw-why, l
can appeal to cousin Harvey. He's al
ways ready to help me-"
"Yes, too ready by far" thought the
doctor, peevishly striding down the
snowy path; land Zilpha likes him. |
should be glad to know what she finds
to admire in that jackanapes."
By which it may appear that DR..
Rodman was somewhat Jealous of this
| handsome cousin, who had lately opened
law Office in that village. Previous to
| bis coming, the doctor had cherished
the fond conviction that the game was
in his own hands. If he did not choose
to marry Miss Wentworth, she might
not break her heart over him, but she
would at least marry no one else. Now
this comfortable security was shaken
He could not shut his eyes to the fact
that Zilpha treated him with polite in
difference, while smiling fondly upon
this cousin, who was assiduous in his at
/ tentions.
1t was cousin Harvey who drove her in
his stylish new sleigh to the ward dis
trict next morning. DIR. Rodman saw
flNnF, la as Il
scOwled. If the fellow had so much in
fiuence over her, why didn't he veto
this step? Being man, he must know
Zilpha could no more control those re-
bellious boys than Canute could control
the waves of the sea. By Jove! it was
fearful to think of a gentlewoman like
her being subjected to that fiery ordeal.
But spite of the DOCTORS apprehensions,
the ordeal was not fiery either in lit
eral or in a figurative sense. Miss
Wentworth had not over-estimated her
knack at governing. The moment she
seated herself at the desk, the pupils
acknowledged her authority and at
tempted no further pranks. At the end
of fortnight, she had brought the
school into so orderly state that she
felt safe in trusting it to the new teach
er. DR.. Rodman, sincerely relieved,
wavered between pique and admiration.
He was forced inwardly to confess that,
throughout her supervisorship, Zilpha
had proved herself the right person in
the right place; but to confess this to
her required special grace, for the doctor
was not humble man. Moreover, he
wanted her to say first that she was
sorry to grieve him. But meanwhile
} there was this cousin Harvey, with his
J fascinating, insinuating ways. Already
the neighbOrs had hinted at an engage.
ment between him and Zilpha. DIR
Rodman grew wretchedly uneasy.
"You have succeeded in public life
better than 1 expected, Zilpha," sale
. he, in half concession one evening wher
he met her at the widow Skeers. The
sick woman had suffered relapse, anC
was lying in doze.
"Ah ?" returned Miss Wentworth
; quietly cooling the brow of the sleeping
J patient.
: The doctor had given his medical di
, rections for the night, but instead o
: leaving at once, he stood leaning over {
! chair, idly watching the graceful mo
: ton of Zilpha's fingers. How gentle
, and sympathetic her touch was All
, what physicians wife she might hav,
made, if oDly-well, he had played tht
: simpleton, that was all.
''Zilpha, pll admit my prejudice wa
I a foolish one," he broke forth impetu
: ously. "Pm afraid you've thought M,
ratbar t1pfriapdIxy fhiS Iact uaarU