Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-11-25
new lord, was holding court in the
midst of lively circle of callers.

| midst oil lively circle OF callers.
Shy, bashful Martie! How could she
play before all these peopleP Poor
timid little wren, that had Just crept
from under the mother wing and flown
out of her nest! 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, rs she dropped down upon
the piano stool and took moments
grace before entering upon the dreadful
ordeal. Twas no use waiting, but ali,
T. ge1tle man would but sit down! !!
Why will he stand beside her and
watch her poor. frightened fingers as
they trip and stumble, give wild jump
for n distant note and miss it, make q
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 rs well rs she
knows her name, but it flies out of her
head and slips away from her fingers,
and she ends Mt last with finale of her
own improvising, feeling her hair stand
straight upon her head as she does it.
The gentleman was much Obliged" |
left almost Immediately, and Martie, in
a state OF grief and modification, was
rushing through the hall. exclaiming,
with sob, as she covered her face with
her hands, "What shall | 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 feenng comiorted little, eve
then, by the tender sympathy which had
done its best 70 console her.
Once in her own room the noodgates
were opened, and Martie cried over
what she called her disgraceiul 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 Marte 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 n visit and n generous offer
from a lady who won Martie's heart at
the outset with her pleasant face and
winning ways, and her gentle, mothcrly
talk about the little boys and the two
little girls at home for whom she wanted
/. 4 teacher and companion. But, alas!
that home lay hundreds of miles away.
1t seemed TO Marlie ike 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 scolding her-
self for a genuine coward. she made
up her mind that go she must, and go
she would.
"WhatP" exclaimed Mr.. Raymond, in
a tone of surprise. Have you really
made up your mind to 90 so far from
home and all your fr.endsP"
"Yes, must CO." said Martie, with
little quiver in her voice. please
don't saw 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 ii you will accept it. Come into
the reception-room, and I will tell you
about it."
Marti was all eagerness now, How
delightful if, after all, she should not be
obliged to make an exile of herself.
ut is a companion. ot teacher that
is wanted" Mr.. Raymond continued.
Would you be willing to take situa-
tion as companionP"
Martie's face fell a little, but she
answered:
81 should be very glad to take such a
situation, if l could fill 1t. Do you
think I couldP"
I'm sure you could"
"Do you know the person who wants
a companionp"
"Yes."