The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1880-11-10

play before all these peopleP Poor,
timid little wren, that had just crept
from under the mother wing and flown
out of her nestl Could she show what
sweet music she knew how to make with
a crowd of listenersP
There was none of the airs and grace
Of the music-pounding young woman
about Martie, as she dropped down upon
the piano stool and took a moments
grace before entering upon the dreadful
;ordeal. Twas no use waiting, but alb,
the gentleman would but sit DOWN.
Why will he stand beside her and
watch her poor, frightened fingers as
they trip and stumble, give a wild jump
for distant note and miss it, make a
dive for one octave and light on another,
and at last lose their way altogether and
go on chasing each other up and
down the key note. Martie. knows the
piece she is trying to play as well as she
knows her name, but it flies out of her
head and slips away from her fingers,
and she ends at last with a finale of her
own improvising, feeling her hair stand
straight upon her head as she does it.
The gentleman was "much Obliged"
eft almost Immediately, and Martie, in
"A state of grief and modification, was
rushing through the hall, exclaiming,
with a sob, as she covered her face with
her hands, "What shall l dop" when
she was suddenly stopped at the foot of
the stairs by Mr.. Raymond.
"My dear child" said he, "don't take
it so much to heart. I've heard you
play that piece before, and thought how
well you did it; but, of course, you
couldn't play with all those people
staring and listening. The man was
brute to ask you to do it."
"Oh, no; it is who am such sim
pleton," said Martie; "but you are very
good to me;" and she hurried upstairs,
longing to get where nobody could see
her, but feeling comforted a little, even
then, by the tender sympathy which had
done its best to console her.
Once in her own room the floodgates
were opened, and Martie cried over
what she called her disgracelul failure
until she had succeeded in getting up
raging headache. Then she went to bed
with the determination of writing in the
morning to Mrs. Myrick, informing tina
lady that she was ready to accept her
offer and enter upon the eddication" of
her daughters. But before she had
time to carry her resolution into effect
Mrs. Myrick herself appeared, having
made up her mind that Martie would
not do for them. She hadn't been
brought up in their ways, and was like
to be too purtickler.
Thus vanished all hopes of success
from advertising. Mrs. Allen next ad-
vised that Martie should try one of the
educational agencies in the city, and an
application was accordingly made.
Then followed more days of anxious
waiting and of hopes deferred, resulting
at last in a visit and a generous offer
from lady who won Martie's heart at
the outset with her pleasant face and
winning ways, and her gentle, motherly
talk about the little boys and the two
little girls at home for whom she wanted
a teacher and companion. But, alas! !!
that home lay hundreds of miles away.
II seemed to Martie like going to the
ends OF the earth. She had twenty-four
hours in which to decide; spent half the
time in wavering between yes and no
between the courage to go and the home
sickness which crept over her at the
very thought of it. Then seolding her.
self for a genuine coward, she made
up her mind that 60 she must, and 60
she would.
"Whatp" exclaimed Mr.. Raymond, in
tone of surprise. Have you really
made up your mind to go SO far from
home and all your friendsp"
"Yes, must CO." said Martie, with
little quiver in her voice. "Please
don't say anything to discourage me-"
81 wouldn't for the world" returned
Mr.. Raymond, "only that.I know of a
situation nearer home which you can
have il you will accept it. Come into
the reception-room, and will tell you
about it."
Martie was all eagerness now, How
delightful if, after all, she should not be
obliged to make an exile of herself.
cit is companion. n ot a teacher that
is wanted" Mr.. Raymond continued.
"Would you be willing to take a situa-
tion as companionP"
Martie's face fell a little, but she
answered:
81 should be very glad to take such
situation, if I could fill it. Do you
think I couldp"
"I'm sure you could"
"Do you know the person who wants
companionP"
eyes"
"Who is itp"
Myself"
yourself! How-what-"
The exact question which Martie in
tended asking just here must be left to
the imagination, since she did not seem
to be clear aboutit herself.
Mr.. Raymond continued:
Eyes; it is I, Martie want you for
my companion-my wife," The gray
eyes twinkled as he asked. "Will you
take the situationp"
An hour later Mrs. Allen entered the
room, exclaiming, Bless my soul!" as
she stumbled upon an unmistakable
pair of lovers.
"My dear Mrs. Allen" said Mr.. Ray
mond, taking his blushing "compan-
~, y hu tho hand and leading her to