Little Falls transcript., 1880-01-30

Catching the School-,naster.
"Young and handsome2"
eyes, just as nice as can be-"
"Single2"
"Why, of course. He is too young to be
married"
"Thcn let's sec who'll catch him."
laughed the pert girl of the village.
"You wen't.' said pretty Jessie War
ner.
"And why not, I wonder?"
because IL don't think he's the
kind to be caught that way
30, you're going to try the coy and re-
firing young woman, are you2" said
Frank. Her maine was Frances.
"I'm not going to try anything,' was
the response. He has only been here a
few days.
"We'll see,' said Frank, tossing her
black curls. They say he is studying
law, and l mean to marry lawyer if I
can"
The sscatching'' had hitherto been done
by the wiry, much enduring schoolmas-
ters, made tyrants by the idleness and in
science ana iusubordination of the larger
scholars. They had caught boys by the
collar; caught the older girls reading
novels under cover of weli-thumbed
school l-books; caught them writing love-
letters instead Of compositions, and held
them up to the ridicule of the school.
One who Is always on the watch for mis-
chief IS sure to find it.
This regime had passed away. A young
and handsome man, very Chesterfield
in manners, had met the scholars as
a gentleman meets young ladies and gen
tlemen, and now some of the girls de-
clared, as no girl with self-respect would
declare, that he was to be caught himself.
So enthusiastic, so really imbued with
his work was he, that he easily inspired
the best spirits in the school, so that they
We'd with each other in keeping up in
their studies and in general good behav-
lour.
But, strangely enough, the master
seemed determined not to be caught" :"
In vain invitations poured upon him to
parties, to all the haywood gayeties; in
vain the nets we're spread IN his sight;
in vain some OF the young ladies dressed
for him, smiled for him-he was ap-
parently insenslblc to all allurements.
He could be seen only at school, or in the
sire It, or at church.
"He is just poke" aaid Kate, pout-
ing, "and do hate poke, young or
old"
One pleasant evening several of the
girls met together in the sitting-room of
Deacon Tufts. Now the deacon was a
cripple, and as he had been chosen post
master, and could not go out to the Office,
the office came to him.
1t was pleasant room, and generally
quite we'll filed for applicants for let
ters. AS was often the case in the in
formal little meetings, the master was the
) subject under discussion.
"Have you caught him yet?" asked one
of the girls of Frank, slyly.
20, Jessie, here, seems to be the favor
ite," said Frank. He has eyes only for
her. Hope she appreciates the atten-
tion. He ought to be good to her, or
} maybe his supplies would be cut off,"
"Of course I appreciate his Kindness -
said Jessie with laugh. 'Why, only
think! He's going TO teach me Frcnch!''
eIndeed! The district doesn't pay him
for giving you private lessons though p
said Frank, almost angrlly.
i "Certainly not" replied Jessie, "but
his time is his own out of school hours.
Of course try to return his Kindness" :"
II don't doubt it; but pray tell us in
what way?" asked Frank, IRONICALLY.
30, put flowers in his room to make
it look cheerful, and on the table. or
| o1y
is, I did make one, but he didn't wear
!: it." she added
"Quite sentimental! You have the
coast clear before you, haven't you.
''Well, if you mean he boards at our
house, and must be treated kindly, yes.
The night you were all at the dance he
took mother and me to rlde.''
$50 that's the reason he didn't come to
my party!" cried Flank, her eyes red as
we'll as her cheeks.
"Partly, and partly because he hates
dancing; he told me so.''
Chow we'll you are matched '' retorted
Frank. "You don't dance, and he don't
like it. 1t you keep on with your flow
ers and your rides you will catch him,
never fear!''
20, but neither wish nor intend to
catch him.
"Maybe he is engaged to somebody al
ready; he acts like It," was the sugges-
tion of Franks cousin. II told Frank
she ought to find out" 1"
HE has plenty of letters addressed in
lady's handwriting" said the deacon
holding one up for them to see, and he
turned away with smile; but I'm pret-
ty sure none of them are from a sweet
heart: 4: as..,: - -.gST
! MAYBE hos got sister, @.t.
"He has, and a mother, too. His SIS
ter is married, and the mother Is with
her"
"Oh, but then what does he want to
hire the brown cottage for?' queried a
quiet little girl. "Father has it to let,
you know; it seems to nae I heard him
say the schoolmaster wanted it for his
family" .,ss "a .-z:f.s ss:6e .A~ -
"Ahsurd!' exclaimed Frank. ...;
T At this the postmaster laughed aloud.
"1f he's engaged, he's mean enough p
said Frank, with warmth. s:Thc idea of
| his coming here under false pretenses."
"Did he; ever tell any body he was not
engaged2n asked the deacon = ~ 81
i Il don't know as he did, and am sure
don't care if he's engaged to a dozen
girlsl II he's conceited enough to think
do, will soon undeceive him" -
4 Itwas alwaysssef with the foolish girl.
j Her undue consciousness had led her IN
to trouble more than once. ~
"Hush, Frank, there's Mr. Evans!
hope he didn't hear u.s. said jessie, as
the tall figure of the clergyman entered.
i Who cares? If you suppose I am
afraid Of the minister you are mistaken. .
she added, boldly walking up to him,
heated with temper and chagrin. b.
aMr. Evans you are one Of the school
eommittee,n she said with the assurance
Of business matron of forty. ..Will you
please tell us what is the mystery about
the teacher yen have employed for the
8 winter 2 IS @ $780,
/ Mystery ystery Il said Mr. Evans
looking at her in surprise. Really Miss
8 Frances, I have never heard that there
was any mystery about him. 2
81 sSyVpII fhnrn ID and II ff,inI r. ~ n.,xvbf -,