The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-23

v.
does indeed play wonderfully we'll The
instrument is not mine; it belongs to the
professor, and he has hired it to young
Southern lady who is boarding with me-
She is pupil of the professors"
GA pupilr' said Miss Van Coot, who
had given herself into my hands again,
warm color creeping into her murky
skin, her dull eyes kindling. Then he
will teach?" '. ..
"Yes, if-if- He will teach you, if
that is what you mean; ofcourse he will
only meant that the professors terms
are very high" - $3.50.
$50 much the better" said Miss Van
Coot. '.. '. ."i.. -
1t was really wonderful how well the
basque fitted her. One would certainly
have thought that her left side was the
same as her right; and Miss Van Coot was
so pleasant lady it would have been a
thousand pities if she had not been able
to afford to have a skilled dressmaker,
one who made her work continual
study. / was really all of this. 1t is no
egotism to mention it. | was quite ia
nous in my line of business, and was
particularly successful in hiding any lit
tie awkwardness or defect in shape or
carriage.
When I had quite finished, and had
gone to the door with Miss Van Coot, it
so happened that the professor also came
into the corridor by the parlor way. 81
shall walk out a little, he said to me,
until she returns" At that moment
he reached the top of the landing where
stood my wealthy customer. OF course
he lifted his hat from off his splendid
ruddy hair, and bowed his handsome
head, and waved his plump white hand
for her to pass on before him. A lady
was always honored with all this gesticu-
latory distinction by the professor, who
soever she might be. Miss Van Coot,
with one eager, devouring look upon
him, went on to her carriage, from
which she locked again; but as for the
professor, he went on his way unmind
full, humming little roundelay under
his breath, and holding his head high in
the air. But when he came back again
luncheon was not quite ready, Miss Win
throp had not come, and nothing would
do but he must know why he had found
those foolish tears in my eyes that morn
ing.
"It was Miss Winthrop" he said
You need not try to shield her know
her, to my cost. She is arrogant; she is
without heart; she has said that which
has cut thee to the soul" f.
Nonsense, professor" said, quite off
my guard. :" 1t was only that made a
stupid mistake in Miss Van Coots basque
She has to be padded all the way up the
left shoulder"
Colt in Himmel" cried the professor;
and then saw my imprudence.
1t is nothing" said, "when one can
afford to have skillful dressmaker."
But the professor leaned back in his chair
and raised his hands to heaven. 1t was
only natural that he should consider it a
terrible misfortune-he whose physique
was like that of the Apollo Belvedere.
She has lots of money" l said.
"a silver mine will not buy her new
spine" said the professor.
" 1t will serve to make her own very
presentable," rejoned; land, besides,
she is so good and kind"
"Ah!" he said, heaving sigh from the
bottom of his lungs, that is better
than all. She is honest, perhaps, and
truthful. At leasts she will not, per-
haps, lie, as you Americans say, as fast
as the horse will trot. She will not prom
Use to sit at your table at certain hour,
and then go away and give no further
thought to the matter There are some
people whose spines may be all that is
desirable, but their hearts, my gracious
fraulein, they are black to the core"
1t was too bad that Helen did not come
as she had promised. The professor did
not fully get over his disappointment till
he came to the pudding which was fort
unately as near perfection as pudding
can be. @
His ewes grew less ferocious as he DIAL
lied with the flaky puffs, the fierce lines
about his mouth gave way, a generous,
benignant expression gradually beamed
upon his face.
"And then" at last he said to me,
"thou hast not only the spine with
out blemish, but the heart and the
soul. Whatever thou undertaketh to do
is done wisely and well. Gesegnete
Mahlzeit, may the meal be blessed to
thee! If thou wouldst be a saint in
heaven, continue to be a good hausfrau
upon the earth" u.I.ra aas...
Thanks to the pudding, he went upon
his way rejoicing. When Helen came, it
was soggy and ruined: but Helen was not
very hard to please. A bit of toast, a
poached egg, morsel of any sort, par
ticularly in the Lenten season, was all
she would ask
When | told her of the professors dis
pleasure she laughed in that hooking,
musical way of hers; but thought there
was a latent tenderness in its ring, and
there was melting look in her great
black eyes, a tremulous sweetness about
her mouth, that made me look at her
again. +" '".' .'' .' dig
1t was fully fortnight before the pro-
fessor came again to stay any time. He
was very busy. Miss Van Coot had not
only prevailed upon him to take her as a
pupil, but he had consented to manage a
musicale for her at her house on the ave-
nue.. Hrt Sen ..a. ...I4tr.. -stI
.1 Miss Van Coot and the professor
seemed to get, on very well together.
One morning that Invent there to fit some
trimmings upon the white corded silk /
was making for her musicale, Ifound the
professor reading to her his translation
of a tragedy from the German. Once in