The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-01-28
Catching the School-master.

Catching the Scho0l-master.
"Young and handsome7''
"Yes, just as nice as can be-"
"Single2"
why, of course. he is too young to be
married"
''Then let's see who'll catch him .
laughed the pert girl of the village.
"You won't. said pretty Jessie War
ner.
"And why not, I wonder7"
Because IL don't think he's the
kind to be caught that way
20, you're going to try the coy and re-
tlrlng young woman, are you?" said
Frank. Her name was Frances.
'I'm not going to try anything" was
the response. He has only been here a
few days."
"We'll see," said Frank, tossing her
black curls. They say he is studying
law, and mean to marry lawyer if I
can"
The Catching had hitherto been done
by the wiry, much enduring schoolmas-
tiers, made tyrants by the idleness and in
science ana INSTRUMENTATION of the larger
scholars. They had caught boys by the
collar; caught the older girls reading
novels under cover of well-thumbel
school-books; caught them writing love-
letters instead of Compositions, and held
them up to the ridicule of the school.
One who IS always on the watch for mis-
chief IS sure to find it.
This regime had passed away. A young
ana handsome man, very Chesterfield
in manners, had met the scholars as
a gentleman meets young ladies and gen
tlemen, and now some of the girls de-
clared, as no girl with seh-respect would
declare, that he was to be caug ht himself.
So enthusiastic, so really imbued with
his work was he, that he easily inspired
the best spirits in the school, so that thew
We'd with each other in keeping up in
their studies and in general good behav-
lour.
But, strangely enough, the master
seemed determined not to be "caught."
Invain invitations poured upon him to
parties, to all the haywood gayeties; in
vain the nets were spread IN his sight
in vain some OF the young ladies dressed
for him, smiled for him-he was ap-
parently insenslble to all allurements.
he could be seen only at school, or in the
sire It, or at church.
"He is just poke" aaid Kate, pout-
ing, land do hate poke, young OF
One pleasant evening several of the
girls met together in the sitting-room of
Deacon Tufts. Now the deacon was a
cripple, and as he had been chosen post
master, and could not 60 out to the Office,
the office came to him.
1t was pleasant room, and generally
quite we'll filed for applicants for let
tiers. AS was often the case in the in
formal little meetings, the master was the
subject under discussion.
Shave you caught him YETI" asked one
OF the girls of Frank, slyly.
20, Jessie, here, seems to be the favor
ite," said Frank. He has eyes only for
her. Hope she appreciates the atten-
ton: He ought to be good to her, or
maybe his supplies would be cut off,
"Of course appreciate his Kindness -
said Jessie with laugh. "Why, only
think! He's going to teach me French p
''1ndeed! The district doesn't pay him
tor giving you private lessons though p
said Frank, almost angrly.
"Certainly not" replied Jessie, "but
his time is his own out of school hours
Of course | try to return his Kindness
81 don't doubt it; but pray tell US in
what way2' asked Frank, IRONICALLY.
80, put flowers in his room to make
1t look cheerful, and on the table, or
make little bouquet tor his coat-that
is. l did make one, but he didn't wear
It," she added.
''Quite sentimental! You have the
coast clear before you, haven't you.
"Well, if you mean he boards at GU,
house, and must be treated kindly, YES
The night you we're all at the dance he
took mother and me to rlde." ..
$50 that's the reason he didn't come ia
my party!'' cried Flank, her eyes red az
we'll as her cheeks. .-.s
"Partly, and partly because he hates
dancing; he told me So" a....
Chow we'll you are matched !" retorted
Frank. "You don't dance, and he dom,
like it. 1t you keep on with your flow.
ers and your rides you will catch him,
never fearl' b.
20, but I neither wish nor intend to
catch him." .
"Maybe he is engaged to somebody al
ready; he acts like It," was the sugges-
ton Of Franks cousin. II told Frank
she ought to find out.''
He has plenty of letters addressed in
lady's handwriting" said the deacon
holding one up for them to see, and be
turned away with smile; but I'm pref
ty sure none of them are from a sweet
heart.' ..-s.. .. ~@
Maybe he's got sister,"
"He has, and mother, too. His SIS
ter is married, and the mother Is with
herr
"Oh, but then what does he want to
hire the brown cottage FORE queried a
quiet little girl. "Father has it to let,
you know; it seems to nae I heard him
say the schoolmaster wanted it for his
family" ... ....
"Absurd!'' exclaimed Frank. liz
At this the postmaster laughed aloud.
"If he's engaged, he mean enough p
said Frank, with warmth. 'Thc idea of
his coming here under false pretenses 4"
ibid he ever tell any body he was not
enpaDed2: asked fhe DEACON