The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-04-03

to you, and with the WOrdS sne placeC
the article in his hand. evil yor
please see if the contents are right" she
added.
He opened it mechanically, glanced a
the picture, and seemed to draw salts
fed breath. "I dare say it's all right,
he said.
"Will you please count the money!
Here was certainly very positive
young lady. John did as he was re-
quired.
= els it right ?" sne asked.
ooh yes," he hurriedly said. "quite
right;" and then, after seconds pause
-" quite right. I'm sure I'm very
much obliged to you. 1t didn't make
80 much difference about the money,
but T should have hated to lose the
picture.
What did Miss Pennyfeather care
about the picture? "Oh certainly,
she said in an Indifferent way, and
moved a little apart as though on the
point of leaving him.
care you walking up Main street,?
he asked.
Miss Pennyfeather bowed.
"And I may acco apany you?'
eff you want to-" - .-
"Perhaps I ought to introduce my:
self. My name is Denike.- John Denike. u
Miss Pennyfeather bowed again. She
had heard of Mr.. Denike, and knew
him to be member of the General AS
sembly, but of course, she did not say
80. Probably Mr.. Denike was now on
his way from the State House.
ST am Miss Pennyfeather, she re-
marked, in quiet way J
John Denike was now entirely recon
ciled. : al J,.%T s "
!" You will pardon me-" he said, after
q moment, while they walked along TO-
gether, " for any implied reflection in
my manner on Saturday, l.
. "Of course I WILL" she said, calmly.
cit was the most natural thing in the
world. There isn't man in, Chepachet
who wouldn't have expressed the same
thought, and if the .boys Mr.. aDenike,
grows up to be hung, some one will
write his obituary and say: In early
life he went to Sunday school and en-
joyed religious instructions of Miss
Maud Pennyfeather. If Miss Penny
feather had done her duty by her
scholar, would Terry Mcclure nowNbe in
felon's grave p" -
The girls cheeks were flushed and
her voice had a severe tone.
Excuse me, Miss Pennyfeather," "
said Denike, gravely II think you
overrate your own responsibility"
She shook her head and looked him
earnestly in the face. 90.
"But somebody is responsible, Mr..
Denike if not I, who is? There are
hundreds of such children in Chepachet.
They don't go to school. I'm public
school teacher, and there aren't hall a
dozen of that sort in the village. They
won't come the principal doesn't want
them, if they would. In Sunday school,
my class is the only one of the kind,
and that wouldn't be there, if hadn't
gone out and picked it up myself. The
superintendent doesn't like ragged,
barefooted boys. He draws the line of
exclusion just beyond shoes sand stock
ings. But these boys have souls, MIR.
Denike and they'll surely 60 to ruin.
unless they are taught, not only for an
hour on Sunday, but six days in the
week. If the responsibility isn't mine,
does it rest on the church ? or on the
school board or on the legislature, Mr..
Denike? After all, aren't you rome
what responsible yourself?"
By this time she had stopped in front
of house, and was resting her hand on
the railing of the stoop.
"This is your home ?" he said, in
quiringly, without having answered her
last question.
eyes," she replied; 81 live here
with my mother"
"And may I not call to see you, some
time ?"
Miss Pennyfeather hesitated-he was
certainly a very recent acquaintance,
but he promised to be a pleasant one.
To be sure he was interested in another
girl, but that need make no difference,
except as it might define more clearly
their own relations. Miss Pennyfeather
began to feel quite friendly interest
in the pretty faf;e which Mr.. Denike
carried in his pocket. So she only said,
with half smile, in almost the same
words she had used before:
"Why, yes, if you want TO-"
Denike bowed.
"Let me answer your question:" he
said, "before CO.. Of course I share
the responsibility with every one else
who legislates for the people. But the
problem is difficult one. Maybe you
have some proposition, as he noted her
more eager expression.
The girl gave a little low laugh, per-
haps half ashamed of her excitement.
"Yes, I have, Mr.. Denike, she said;
"indeed it's my hobby. Whenever I
get hold of people who have influence,
T bore them with it until their lives be-
come burden. My notion is to start
here in Chepachet an industrial school,
under the school board, where vagrant
children can be brought in and taught
some useful trade. It's my highest
ambition, Mr.. Denike, to have the
charge of school like that"
Her eye kindled and her face glowed
with the words. John Denike, as he
looked at her, forgot for moment the
face in his pocket-book, and thought he
had never seen much prettier picture.
Indeed, Miss Pennyfeather," he
said, as though protesting against hel
suggestion that he Was bored, 81 am
very much interested. And I'd like tc
talk the matter over with you. Per.
haps I can do something in the way ot
legislation. May come soon and con.
tinue the conversation
Miss Pennyfeather nodded "Yes, and
bade him good-by. Then the door
opened and shut, and Denlke was left
alone. But the thought of Miss Penny
feathers bright expression and the echo
OF her fresh, ringing voice fingered with
him all the way home.