The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-05-20

Frank she ought to find out"
"He has plenty of letters addresse
in lady's handwriting" said the des
con holding one up for them to Sc,
and he turned away with smile bu
I'm pretty sure none of them are fror
a sweetheart"
maybe he's got sister,"
"He has, and mother, too. Hi
sister is married, and the mother i
with her."
"Oh, but then what does he want t,
hire the brown cottage for?" queried
quiet girl. "Father has it to let, yol
know; it seems to me 1 heal him say
the school-master wanted it for hi
family
absurd exclaimed Frank.
AT this the postmaster laughed
aloud.
"If he's engs@ed,he's mean enough 7
said Frank, with warmth. "The ides
of his coming here under false pre-
tenses." sA
"Did he ever tell any body he was
not engaged p aeked the deacon.
81 don't know as he did, and am
sure don't care if he's engaged to q
dozen girls! If he's conceited enough
to think l do, will soon undeceive
him."
1t was always self with the foolish
girl. Her undue consciousness had
led her into trouble more than once.
"Hush, Frank, there's Mr.. EvansI /
hope he didn't hear u.s." said Jessie, as
the tall figure of the clergyman enter
ed.
"Who cares3 If you suppose am
afraid of the minister you are mistak-
en-" she added, boldly walking up to
him, heated with temper and chagrin.
"Mr. Evans you are one of the
school committee" she said with the
assurance of a business matron of forty.
Will you please tell US what is the
mystery about the teacher you have
employed for the winter"
"Mystery - mysteryv' said Mr..
Evans looking at her in surprise.
" Really Miss Frances, 1 have never
heard that there was any mystery
about him."
"Well, there is and I think it ought
to be cleared up. Taxpayers ought
to know what kind of men come into
our midst, especially when he has
charge of their daughters"
He came with the best recommen-
datlons," and the minister was more
and more surprised.
&C Has he showed any special atten-
tion to you, or trif1ed with any of my
young flock7"
He is certainly trying to with Jes-
sic, SIR"
90, Frank, how can you say so ?"
cried Jessie, her face aflame, her eyes
sparkling Indignantly. "He Is per.
feet gentleman" she added turning to
the minister, land 1 know all about
him, and meant to tell Frank, after
having little fun. Why, he has been
married year to a most beautiful girl.
He told mamma, after we had become
a little acquainted, that he married her
just after he graduated, because she
was alone, and had no friends or pro-
tector. He is now studying day and
night to get admitted to the bar, and
he is anxious to bring his wife here !;
that is why he was looking at the lit
tie cottage, as has a few rooms fur
nished. Now you haye the whole
mystery"
"You might have told us before I"
cried Frank, with scarlet face. "You,
too, Deacon Tufts, ought to be asham-
ed OF 81: conduct, for Of course you
knew it,
"To be sure | did. Didn't / ans
wer all your questions, young lady !?
I thought 1 would let you run on a
while, and get all the nonsense out of
you. The master has made no partic-
ular secret of his marriage, that I know
of, neither has he proclaimed it from
the house-tops. Maybe he ought to
Il don't know. You knew he was
married, Jessie?''
GO, yes, l knew it. He showed
mother his wife's photograph, and it
seems she can teach botany and con-
chology and music. She can help him
q great deal if she comes here"
Then the minister read Frank and
the girls short lesson, ending with
these words:
"When you are old enough and
wise enough to have homes of your
own, you will wait till some worthy
man throws out the line and catches
you. And 1 am sure you will find in
the young woman coming beautiful,
discreet and lovable companion; and
although none of you have caught the
school-master, you ought to catch
many q wise lesson from his manly,
modest demeanor, as well as from his
instruction from the desk"
CURE FOR LOCKJAW.