The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-10-23
A WHITE ROSE AND A STRAW,

Mr.. Frederick Woodman, aged twenty
two, was the master of the village
school of Pigsborough, and one of the
best little men, as far as temper and
looks were concerned, that you could
possibly imagine. All his scholars
and, in fact, almost everybody-liked
him. Indeed, it would have been very
difficult not to like such well-spoken,
gentle and amiable little gentleman.
On the day my story commences, how
ever, he was neither gentle nor amiable.
He treated the schoolboys with an
amount of severity which surprised
them greatly.
Directly he had dismissed the boys
for the day, he locked up the school,
and walked abstractedly into his own
little domicile, adjoining.
Taking off his hat he sat down upon
chair, looking greatly worried, and
then burst out with:
"What fool was to quarrel with
poor little Nell last night What does
it matter if she does firt! I might
know by this time that she likes me bet
ter than the other wretch"
Having thus relieved himself, he rose,
sauntered out, and paced up and down
the little fower-garden in front of the
cottage.
Presently he was fred with an idea,
and returned to the parlor muttering
81 know. I'll write Nell loving and
penitent letter, asking her forgiveness
for my hastiness last night. First of all,
though, I'll secure messenger.
Trotting out to the end Of his garden,
he soon sighted knot of pupils playing
at cricket, and, selecting one, called out
"Hil Briggs, my boy, want you. "
And in another minute up came
Briggs, anxious to get in his masters
"good books" and hot from his exer-
tions at cricket.
eyes, sir ! painted he.
"Step in, and sit down a minute,
Briggs, I want you to take letter 10,
me-"
And the little schoolmaster went in
while Briggs sat down on the porch
tanning himself with his old misshapened
hat, and wiping the perspiration from
his face on the sleeves of his smock.
Mr.. Woodman had said he woult
write letter, but doing it he found very
different. He commenced five, one aftel
the other, tearing them all up in disgust
Then, thinking Briggs would get tiret
Of waiting, he employed little artifct
to detain his intended messenger, whil'
he made another attempt at q long ant
penitent letter.
"Briggs, my boy, )" said he, coming
out with pen on his ear, would yo'
like piece of cake ?"
"Oi think OF could eat joost littl
crumb, and. thankee, sir" said Briggs
smirking. rt.f d
So our hero went in and cut him
"little crumb," weighing about half
pound, brought it out on clean plate
and then retired to think what he shoul
say in his. bil,et-dour. rr rNrs a
AS he sat considering. a happ
thought" struck him. He would sen
her message in flowers.
he reached to his book, shelf, and too
down a little book called "The Lar
guage Of Flowers" which he at once b.
gan to study, searching for an appropr
ate emblem.
"s Union--a perfect straw" he reae
"Ah, that will do. Reunion is lu'
what I want. Now for little fiatter!
Ah. here IL is: Delicate beauty
white rose.' Hurrah That will Q
splendidly. I have heard her say 81
understands the language OF flowers.
was a capital idea Of mine"
He hurried out into the garden, pa
the astonished Briggs, and plucked