Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-09-30

wandering thoughts upon her books, to re-
hne her language and manners, was work
and care that nothing short Of dominant
desire to benefit the girl would have induced
her to perseyere in. In her secret soul, she
oft times, during the first year, felt well
nigh discouraged at Nells waywardness and
lack OF interest in her new occupations. But
as, by slow degrees, affection for her bene-
factress strengthened in her breast, and con-
fdence in her superior judgment grew into
governing force, she became more docile
under restraint, and put forth honest efforts
to master lessons assigned her.
At the close Of the first year, looking back
ward, Mrs. Dales could see that there had
been positive improvement; though she
was, at the same time, forced to admit that
it, by no means, equaled her hopes. But
the fact had long ago sunk deep into her
heart that faithful, persevering endeavor in
the pursuit of a worthy purpose, must bring
about something akin to adequate results,
either in the near or remote future. This
truth had encouraged her to undertake and
carry through many a noble work IN the
long years gone by; and it did not fail her
now. II she could not succeed in helping
Nell to be the truly refined and cultivated
woman she desired, she would still strive to
bring about the little improvement which
was possible year by year. And so she per-
severed in her unselfish labors for seven
long years-until her brown hair showed
plentiful threads of white, her blue eye had
lost something of its brightness. and her fair
complexion was marred by the lines and sal
lowness of age.
To Nell, the years had brought even great
er changes. In truth, the girl OF seventeen
was hardly recognizable in the matured wO-
man of twenty -four. Seven years Of unin-
terrupted study, and constant association
with a strong and noble character, such as
Mrs. Dales possessed, had proven efficient
means in aiding her intellectual and moral
RI of ai oh nf
ment. To the rude charms of her early
girlhood were, at length, added refinement
OF thought and manner; and. to Mrs.
Dales's great satisfaction, the indefinable
graces Of mental culture lent to her presence
their unriyaled influence.
1t was happy day to both Nell and her
benefactress when the Faculty of the Semi
nary, where she had been a student four
years, granted to her her hard-earned diplo-
ma. But still greater and wholly uneX-
pected pleasure was i'm store for them in the
note that came, a week later, from the trus-
tees who had witnessed Nell's examination,
offering her the position of teacher where
she had been so recently pupil. This mark
OF confidence in Nell's ability and acquire
ments was complete surprise to Mrs. Dales,
and it seemed to her generous soul greater
reward than she deserved for the part she
had taken in shaping her course.
1t was at the close of the spring term that
this offer came to Nell. so that she was to
-
ed, before she entered upon her new voca-
ton in the early autumn. 1t was during
this vacation that Mrs. Dales was surprised
by receiving visit from our old acquaint-
pleasure to Nell to again meet her old mis-
tress, whom she had not seen since she left
the farm, seven years previous; she treated
her courteously, however, as she was bound
to do any one who came to the home of her
friend. That Mrs. Melton had grown de-
rn,,i1 md xUrin LODI md inao how
last met, was evident at a glance, to Nell,
but it was also equally evident, us soon as
she began to speak that her tongue had lost
none Of it's Sharpness.
So La, me !" she began, as soon as she had
laid aside her bonnet and was comfortably
seated in a big easy chair which Mrs. Dales
had, with difficulty, induced her to accept
She wasn't used ter SIGH things" she
said.
"Sakes alive. How master QUAR- things
do turn out in this world. Here's our little
brown-skinned Nell (staring at Nell through
her spectacles) bleached out nigh bout as
white as a pond-lily, and lookin' fine as a
fiddle. AM there's Nell Lynn, shiftless,
ones lookin' like town charges. If Nell ony
knows enough now," turning to Mrs. Dales
who sat bv, "ter go on a-keepin' school an
lay up her money instead o. gittin' married,
she can byme-bye have a good home o. her
own, and not have any man to thank fort.
But, Lord-a-massy, the fust thing you'll
know, it'll be all cut an dried that she's ter
marry some o. these 'ere teacher fellers. Is
the head one o. the 'Cademy a married
man?' she asked, looking straight at Nell.
Nell's stammered "No" was accompanied
by such vivid blush that Mrs. Melton burst
into a loud laugh.
"Wall, wall,n she exclaimed, as soon as
she could speak for laughing, as she turned
to Mrs. Dales, "ef 1 amt hit the nail on the
head this time, I'll miss my guess. Sure as
peas an beans, that gal Is dead in love with
that Teller Already"
''And well she may be-" said Mrs. Dales
with spirit, as tn door closed upon Nell's re-
treating figure, ''for she has been engaged to
Mr.. Waite these three months. They would
have been married this summer, had not
advised her to teach for year or so. L
thought it would be good discipline for her,
and a valuable experience in many respects.
Mr.. Waite is very estimable man some five
years. her senior, and am wholly satisfied
with her prospects. But, Nell is worthy to
be the wife of the noblest Of men," and Mrs.
Dales looked straight into the black eyes of
her sister, in law, with curious expression.
Mrs. Melton evidently understood the mean
ing, for she answered disdainfully:
81 low you think so. Some folks are
alters master wall satisfied with the upShot
o. their own doin's. So Woman's Journal.