The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-07-14
A Summers Romance

A Summers Romance.
Wanted--A lady. to teach district
school in the Pine Woods, fifty miles
north of New Orleans. To q competent
teacher liberal salary will be paid.
Inquire at the Office Of this paper"
Adele Somers tossed the daily Pea
yune on to the marble stand at her side,
and clapped her hands like delighted
child. 49,
"I have it, mammal" she cried.
"The vexed question of where shah
spend the summer has been decided for
me by fate itself!"
Her mother, dark, proud-looking
woman, handsome in her rich morning
robe of gray silk, turned an interested
face upon her daughter.
"Where, Adele? Last summer we
spent in Europe, the previous year we
were satiated with Long Branch, Sara
toga, Newport, even flying visit to the
White mountains; I can't imagine
where you propose going this summer.
Oh, have it! You propose trip to
California;"
Adele leaned her head on a little
hand, laden with costly rings, and
thrusting dainty foot in faultless kid
slipper, from beneath her wrapper OF
white cashmere and crimson silk, con,
templated it thoughtfully for a moment,
as she.replied:
"Guess again, ma mere!'
Colorado"
Adele shook her head.
II see I shall have to explain.
mamma. See here-read this, please"
She spread the newspaper open before
her mother, and laid one white finger
upon the interesting paragraph: Ad-
iusting her eyeglasses, Mrs. Somers
glanced it over. then turned 4 puzzled
gaze upon Adele.
81 don't understand, my child. I
really cannot sec how This advertise
ment affects our summer excursion"
Adele dropped her head upon the
satin couch where she was lounging.
Mamma" she said, gravely, at last,
81 am going to apply Tor that posi-
tion."
"Great heavens! Adele, are you
mad?"
"No, not quite. To tell the truth,
mamma, I'm tired Of the foolish non
sense of society, and think it would be
delightful to get away from the noise
and dust of the busy city, out into the
cool, green pine woods. But to be there
without occupation, would kill me with
ennui; therefore propose becoming a
country schoolteacher. When the term
is ended / shall donate the salary to
som, charitable object-there, mamma,
don't object, shall enjoy it immensely.
And then, you know, if found it too
dull, or get tired of my experiment, l
can resign in favor of some more worthy
person, and come home to New Or.
leans"
Mrs. Somers sat like one petrifed; the
proposition fairly took her breath away.
Adele continued:
"And think how delightful to play
rustic, like Marie Antoinette at the
Petite Trianon to get up early in the
morning and drive through the cool
woods TO a pretty little schoolhouse
where rosy-cheeked children await me,
and they will bring me bouquets; and /
shall live on strawberries and peaches
and cream: and new milk, and fresh
eggs: and" -,
and snakes and things" interrupted
Mrs. Somers. Adele shuddered, then
put on brave face.
"Oh, I'm not afraid, unless "-dubi-
'ously-" there should be alligators. But
well. to make long story short, l
have decided 10 60, mother mine, pro-
viaed / get the situation, and you do not
po:itively forbid"
Mrs. Somers rapidly reviewed the
matter in her mind. Adele, though 8
oh Il 0f
sense, and her mother usually allowed
her to decide her movements for her.
self. Well. this trip to the pine woods
could do no harm, and she was very
certain of speedy return; 80 after con-
siderable urging, she yielded reluctant
consent.
The matter was speedily arranged.
Adele readily obtained the situation at
salary which made her smile. 1t would
have barely supplied her with kid
gloves and ribbons at any Of the fash
ionable resorts where her summers were
usually passed.
And so, one morning, the newly
fledged teacher, amid the fearful fare
wells Of her mother, stepped on board
the train which would bear her to her
destination. In her dainty gray travel
ing suit, with expensive plumed hat,
and veil like silcery mist, exquisitely
gloved and booted, she looked decidedly
unlike the average pine woods " school
marm."
Arriving at last ut the little way sta
tion, Adele alighted, and stepping on to
the platform, watched the train as it
puDfed away again; the great iron mon
ster seemed the last link between her
and her friends at home. For moment
afeeling of desolation stole over her: but
she remembered that, after all, her
home Bas near; and 30 making the best
sof the situation, she turned to look
a tall Il .dng man, nestly dressed.
drew and lifting his broad dbrimmed
straw hat from his curly head, bowed
gracefully as he iraaired:
Miss Somers. j nfssspme.s
Then. in answer TO her questioning
look: I was sent omeet mss oo9ers;
the new teacher, and convey hSrseI ano
baggage to the residenceo OF MfaJop r
son, where she is to board for the -
ent." - IN
Adele handed him her checks, and the
young man soon had the Saratoga trunks
placed in a large farm wagon STANDING
in sight, with a pair OF mules attached
Follow me: please" he said, and
Adele obeyed.
Soon. perchet up in the high wagon
they were driven rapidly through the
green pine woods 1t was a pleasant
drive that hazy afternoon.
The young man proved intelligen
and interesting and Adele's spirits ros'
.....s..1