The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-05-05


bounded over the counter and followed him
out to the porch. /" Rob- said Mr.. Beach,
lowering his voice, !" did you hear the decis-
ion of the committee p Yes" answered
Rob. " What did you think Of it?" 81
was sorry Sam did not succeed In getting 1t. |"
ROB- you are a smart boy. now what do you
say to doing favor for Sam." {" Certainly, .
dozen, If can. " Well, you see, Sam want
ed the school bad and he will get It If that
| schoolmarm don't control the scholars. What
do you say to making it generally uncomfor-
table for hers You are just the boy that can
do 1t. Do understand YOU to mean, Mr..
Beach, TO treat her so she will be glad to re-
sign a' q That's the ticket, Bob, you grasp
my meaning exsctly." 81 should like to
oblige Sam, very much,' said Rob reflective
". What kind of woman is she lvine-
gary 2" !" No timid as akhare.. -Yca can
scare her out in two weeks sk..''''
TN do IT, said Bob, +" IL it's only for the
fun of the thing. Tell Sam to come along in
about two weeks, and guess he will find the
way clear"
You are prime boy, Rob, a prime 10y !
I'll write to Sam, and have him come, and be
ready. must go now, it is almost prayer
meeting time. We begin our extra efforts
next week. Rob I hope to see you among the
inqurers this Winter it is time you were
thinking of these things.
Rob leaned back against the store door
and gazed after Mr.. Beach with an amused
smile q What way the Deacon has of mix
ing up religion with everything" he mutter-
ed. ~ really believe if he we're to steal a
mans pocket book be would invite him to the
anxious seat before he left him.
Monday evening came, and Daisy went to
her duties with glad heart. She had looked
with dread upon the long cold Winter, during
which they must be deprived of many neces-
sary comforts if this pecuniary aid failed
them. The "big boys had no terror for her.
branch of study they might wish to pursue ;
and that they would treat her otherwise than
civil during school hours did not occur to her.
Yet, she was hardly prepared for the change
that met her view when she called the school
to order
brought her bouquets and fruit during the
Summer, whose tears she had wiped away
and whose trouble she had soothed, were a
row of tall boys, some of whom were obliged
to stoop little as they passed through the
low door. Among these was Rob Fielding,
whose handsome face and gentlemanly man
ners won her admiration. Rob had never seen
Daisy before. He had been absent from New
| Britain most of the Summer, and although
she attended the same church, she was gener.
ally out and on her way home before he reach
ed the vestibule. All the school marms he had
ever known were old and vinegary as he
termed It, and he was not prepared to see SO
lovely face, and such large brown eyes as
confronted him with pleasant "Good morn
ing /" when he entered the school house. After
the new pupils were enrolled, Daisy opened
| her Bible and began, as was her custom, to
read a few verses before engaging in short
prayer.
While she did so Rob arose, took one of the
short benches around the stove, drew It near
err and proceeded to warm his feet. Two 9th
or boys followed his example? Daisy paused
a moment and kindly requested them to re-
sumo their seats until the opening exercises
were concluded. This they declined to do
Rob said his feet were cold and he prepared
to sit where he was. His tone was very re-
spectflil and Daisy felt deicacy about urg-
| ing her authority over such large boys-young
men 10 fact, so she proceeded with the exercis-
es, after which the boys returned to their
desks Nothing especial occurred until recess
when, without waiting for Daisy to dismiss
them In order, as was her custom, Rob and
his companions passed out with supreme in
difference to her rules and regulations.
The same thing occurred at noon, and again
at night with the addition of three new
rebels. She went home that night with q
heavier heart than she had had since she came
to New Britain. She did not tell her mother
but tried to hope she could succeed in having
better order next day.
Accordingly in the morning after the schol
airs were assembled, she read over to them the
rules by which she bad governed the school
during the Summer, and requested that all
would obey them out of respect to themselves
aud her. AN
But things did not mend any, they grew
worse that day, and each succeeding day dur
ing the week. Friday night found Daisy al,
most in despair. Rob was just the boy to do
this, as Samuel Beach had said. He was
formed to lead. Handsome and commanding
| in looks, with a certain INDECENT grace in all
he did, that redeemed his most audacious
tricks from appearing ungentlemanly. Daisy
often looked at the well shaped head, crowned
with its jetty locks, the great dark eyes and
expressive mouth with sorrow as she thought
how much talent was being wasted all I'M
conscious that this seeming stupidity was on
! ly affected to further the object be aimed to
secure. Rob idled away his time at his desk,
making caricature Of people in New Britain,
an art in which he was very clever, occasion
ally tired of this child's play he applied him
self to his lessons, and Daisy discovered that
be was by no means the ignorant person he
seemed. Another Monday morning came.
Daisy went to school with renewed courage
II