The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-08-30
From the Haddonield Asteroid1
Max Vernon's School Marm.' -
BY Lillian LESTRANGE.

"Well, Guy, I'm in luck at last ~
quOth Max Vernon.
"lIow, my bOy?" queried his friend.
Didn't | tell youy I've been Tilted, "
was the careless rejoindcr.
NAY, proceed, Pm all ears, " and Guy
Clinton threw himself back in his
chair, preparing to listen attentively.
81 suppose you heard that | was en-
gagged to the rich and beautiful Miss
Milroy; but she soon grew tired of me
and threw me overheard for a wealthier
suitor," was the half sneering reply.
Then he continued, $50 am tired of
these faithless women, and have at last
found place where | can spend the
summer in peace and not see one of the
opposite sex except the landlady, who
is old and ugly, besides being married
so | won't lose my heart and pop
the question to her."
Though the words were spoken light
ly enough, keen observer might have
detected little hidden pam in the mel
low voice.
"Poor fellow" and Guy patted his
shoulder patrOnizingly. "He doesn't
seem much the worse for wear But
IN wager that before you have been
there month you'll give your heart to
some sly country girl. And now, where
-, 1,f 81 nol la
boarding house"
Cup the river piece, at the desOlate
little town of Wermouth. | selected
that place, not because of its loneliness,
but for the splendid hunting and fish
ing there. Come up and stay awhile
when you have time"
"Thanks. l shall most certainly avail
myself Of the invitation" was Guys
reply; then glancing at his watch he
added: "And now | must be off, as |
have an engagement at three, and it
wants quarter to that time now.
Goodbye, and don't commit yourself to
the milkmaids," ," and he walked rapidly
away.
Max did not move, but thrust his
head in his hands. If Shakespeare had
only written Sin bachelor meditation
fancy Free" it could most certainly be
quoted here.
1t was a dreary, desolate place that
Max Vernon came to the next day. Not
Il house was in sight, and the young
man walked about mile before he
came to his place of abode, a large,
roomy, old-fashioned farmhouse, situa-
ated on high hill, and where the cool
breeze was waited from the river be-
low.
Max "slept the sleep of the just" that
night, and awoke the next morning
feeling greatly refreshed. Hurrying
through his breakfast he took his gun
ahd went off in search of game, only re-
turning to dinner, when, horrors, Mrs.
Graham (the landlady) informed him
that "there wuzent no wimen folks no.
where about the house except the school
marin, who boarded with them,' and
she, Mrs. Graham hoped that he
wouldn't care for, for she warn't one of
them kind of tlirty girls and he wouldn't
see much of her, for she was ateachin'
school most all the live long day"
Max Vernon inwardly wished all
"school marms" were in "IalifaX,"
but he did not say so, and only asked
how it was he had not seen her the
night before.
Oh, she didn't feel well and went to
bed early" explained Mrs. Graham,
and then hurried away to attend to
something in the kitchen, while Max
thought, "Somc old maid, | daresay,
and of course Iwon't see much Other" )"
At supper Miss Winters again was
absent, and Miss Graham said that she
often went home with one of the chill
dren, as "they wuz all mighty fond of
her !"
The next morning when Max came
down stairs Miss Winters had started
for her school. He really began to be
curious as to what she was like after
having so many times been foiled in
seeing her.
In the afternoon he rambled about
in the woods, feeling rather lonely,
when suddenly he came across such u
pretty picture that he stopped and
looked long at IL.
Only young girl standing on tiptoe
trying to pull down a branch of tree,
and a group Of merry, laughing chill
dren around her. When it was at last
broken she handed it to the little ones,
who soon made u pretty wreath of 1t,
placing wild flowers here and there.
After II was finished they placed 1t on
the pretty, graceful head Of the girl,
and then cried delightedly, "Now,
Miss Dora, you just look sweet Won't
yon wear 1t homer" The assent was
smilingly given, and then Max hurried
away, fearing that perhaps the children