Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-03-30

scholars were wondering who woul6
miss first, when this fatal word fell
'Bdellium.' -
Lucy spelled it ghbly, confident,
and wrongly, but remained standin!
in suspense.
Next
Winfield was embarrassed by th,
gaze of so many eager eyes, and wal
rendered doubtful by Lucy's RAPID
spelling. He began it Alright, hesitat
ed, began it again. this time different
ly, spelled it through in desperation
and both sides took their seats.
The merits were awarded, the rol
called, the school hushed into mo
ment's decorous silence, and at the
word of dismission the joyful clamol
that burst forth proved that school
was Enthusiastically out. Hats and
caps, hoods and nnbias, shawls anc
over coats were hurried on, dinner
pals and baskets were seized, and of
they went
The teacher remained to put the
room in order for. the next day fol
when teacher was engaged she was
expected to perform the duties OIL
janitor as well. When they were
fairly gone she swept, half pushed
the mud and litter out of the door
piled the books neatly, pinned up a
dangling map, stripped splinters from
the wood and put them beneath the
stove for the mornings kindlings,
and she covered the glowing mass
of Goals and embers with ashes.
She had donned her nubia, cloak and
rubber boots, when Win. came in and
began to look around upon the desks.
She saw that he was crying.
what do you want, Winfield p
Ny geography
You left it upon my desk.
He crossed the room, and she
placed her hand on his shoulder.
Never mind you'll spell better
next time besides you were not
beaten
''Taint that said he, fresh tears
tnmbling from his eyes.
What then Anything l can
help p
No man, he sobbed for her
kindness was making him babyish.
Lucy invited all the girls and all
the boys but me, to go TO Lottie
Crawford's tomorrow night to a
necktie party.
i am sorry, dear;' and there were
real tears in her voice as we'll as in
her eyes as she said this, and as she
bent and kissed his cheek.
Yes, ma'am, thank you, and
snatching his book he ran away.
She stood a moment irresolute.
i believe | will stay with Lottie,
tonight promised some time ago
that | would she thought, passing
out and closing the door. Then she
plodded along over the muddy roads
and across the wet fields to Mr.. Craw.
ford's distant house. Little Mr..
Crawford, with his sleeves rolled up,
flour on his arms and face, and big
apron tied around his waste, respond
ed to her knock
How dye do, Miss Bell /! Come
right in ; muddy weather, this
How do you do, Mrs. Crawford
Muddy /? | should say so. Look
at my boots. I'll leave them on the
porch and the heavy boots were
slipped off, leaving pair Of very
dainty slippered feet.
That's right ; now go straight into
the room. Lottie'll be pleased to see
you. She has been wondering why
you didn't come. | must go back
to my biscuit. Lottie'll do the
honors.'
Miss Bell opened the door and
went in. Lottie, a very small, white
faced girl of thirteen satin an invalid
chair making wreaths of evergreen.
The lower part of her body was help
less.
O, Miss Bell she cried, as that
young lady came forward. 'pm ever
so glad to see you You'll stay all
night, of course
Yes, Lottie,' giving the poor, pain
raoked body loving caress, and re-
ceiving more loving one in return.
You will find your old room all
ready for you, Miss Bell. Please
come back soon | want to improve
every minute of your stay
Miss Bell accordingly scou adj
journed to the large, nicely furnished
chamber. 1t did not take her long
TO battle Der hands and face, brush
her hair and pin on little trifie of
an apron then taking some crochet
work from her basket, she descended
to the sitting room. Mr.. Ora wford
was there making Lottie laugh mer-
rily at his attempts at wreath max
ing. Some little conversation passed
between the father and teacher, and
then Mrs. Crawford entered, minus
big apron and flour, and her sleeves
unrolled, announcing
Supper is ready. Come Miss Bell,
come father, Lottie, come
They were nothing 10th to obey
the summons. Lottie wheeled her
self to the vacant place, and they sat
down in large kitchen around a
small supper table. The "blessing'
was asked upon the nice biscuit and
honey, and dried beef ana cream
cake, ounce preserves and apple
sauce. After that came the chat and
tasting the aforesaid viands. At the
conclusion of the meal Miss Bell and
Lottie returned to s'the ROOM" Mr..
Crawford rode to town upon his bay
colt, and Mrs. Crawford cleared away
the table.
See nay wreaths, Miss Bell, / shall
have one for each girl. To morrow
afternoon | shall trim them with ger
aniums and other flowers
How many do you expect 2
Il shalt have forty il they all come.
Twenty are coming from your
school, so Lucy wrote me. thave a
lot of wreaths and notices made for
this room. They'll be put up to.mor'