The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-04-30

handsome man, and rumor said that he
was exceedingly in love with our Miss
Linda. He fingered in the little school
house long while on that bright sum-
mer afternoon; but he went at last, and
then the children were dismissed, and
the little building closed for the night.
My wsy was the same as Miss Linda's,
and trotted along beside her, holding
tightly to her simple muslin dress, and
chatting all the way. We came before
long to the pretty cottage where our
schoolmistress boarded. The woman
ofthe house-at alkative New Highlander
sat with her knitting upon the porch.
She greeted Miss Linda with smile,
and began to empty her budget of
small talk and news forthwith.
''Did your ears burn to-day?" she
said. "They ought to, for you've been
talked about enough. There was
stranger here-a foreign-looking man
with a long black beard; and he asked
me about the place and the people in it,
and appeared to be much interested
about the school, and asked the name
of the teacher and what sort of per-
son she was. l told him as near as l
could; and, says L, shouldn't wonder
if she left off being schoolmistress and
went to live at the parsonage before
long, for our minister is paying very
particular attention to her, says l, and
I shouldn't wonder if she liked him,
too. She's good enough for minister's
lady, anyhow, says -
"Oh, Mrs. Jones! how could you say
such things to stranger, or to any
one?" exclaimed Miss Linda, looking
really distressed. .sWhat must the
gentleman have thought?'
"Oh! you know must talk when 1
once get started" said Mrs. Jones,
"and I don't suppose he thought any,
thing about it. He started pretty soon
after that, and thought he was going
to visit the school, for he went straight
toward it,
The remembrance of the man who
had frightened little Lilly rushed across
my mind, and turned my steps home
ward, after bidding goodbye to Miss
Linda, who kissed me with very, very
grave face. "Who could that man
with the black beard be?' I thought,
as l tripped along. "Why did he
frighten Lilly, and why did he ask
questions about our school and Miss
Linda?' The old fairy tales l had
conned upon winter evenings arose be-
fore my mind, and thought of the
ogres and giants, who all had black
boards and propensity to devour little
girls and carry young ladies away by
their long tresses. "What hair Miss
Linda had for that purpose! How
giant would rejoice in those great
golden waves!' I thought; and just
then, raising my eyes, they encountered,
to my horror, they very person of whom
l had been dreaming tall man with
the long black beard, himself. I utter
ed scream of terror, and the tall man
put his hand on my shoulder.
Don't be frightened, little one," he
said. "Tm very fond of little girls"
docs he mean he likes to eat
them?'' I thought; and I looked up
into his face, expecting to meet sar-
donic ogre grin, but instead I encoun-
tered such sweet smile that gained
confidence in moment, and stood quiz
city beside him.
"Sit down here" said the stranger,
81 want to talk to You. Look, here is
something NICE" and he drew a hand
full of confectionery from his pocket.
Eat it while talk to you"
held my little pinafore to receive
the gift and sat down, and the man
with the Elack beard sat down beside
me.
"How old are you?' he said.
"Just six years." answered.
"And where do you 60 to school?'
he asked.
"On the hill. at Miss Linda's," I an
swered.
"Have you nice teacher? Do you
love her?" inquired the stranger.
"Very much," answered.; every
much, indeed"
gentleman with the dark beard covered
his face with his hands and CALCULATED:
"God bless her! who could help it.
Do you think she is happy?' he went
on. "Does she smile and laugh, or
does she ever feel sad?-ten me, little
one?'
Il think Miss Linda is very happy"
I answered. Il never saw her cry"
The tall gentleman arose and paced
to and fro, and heard him mutter:
Happy! Is she happy? My selfish
ness shall never break in upon her
quiet; 1 will never arouse the sleeping
past to grieve the happy present"
The heart under my little pinafore
beat wildly with alarm, and my confec-
tionery was forgotten. In few mo-
ments he turned toward me.
"Good-by, little one?' he said. run
home, now, and never tell your teacher
that have been talking about her; and