Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-02-10
The NEW SCHOOlMaSrER,

The NEW SCHOOlMASrER.
IL was warm twilight in early Octo-
Der when the new schoolmaster arrived
at the Forks. He came on foot with
his trayeling-bag slung over his back bv
means OF a cane-a sturdy young man.
with red hair, shapely features and an
independent gait. He held his head as
u he were determined to thrust it
through every obstacle which came ia
MS way, and looked neither to the right
nor 70 the left, though glance over his
shoulder would have revealed to him.
through the fringes of the gigantic pine
trees, sunset picture such as is seldom
seen IN this cold New England region.
There was more than the usual num-
Der of sitters in the store that NIGHT
drawn thither by tile fact that the new
schoolmaster was expected, and. when
that gentleman reached the dingy little
building, they we're all on the steps to
greet him.
New schoolmaster, catiIate siep'n
be sosherable awhile, hey ?" said the
store-keeper, who was also the school
agent and mill-owner-the one great
man of the place.
Would like to, but the fact is I've
been a-travelin' all day, pretty much,
and am gettin' to be rather sharp-set.
Besides that, I'm afraid my boarding
mistress II get tired O. waitin' for me.
and clear away her per-table."
All, yis; wal, pr'aps ye'd better
keep along. The widder haint over
pashunt. Thet's her haouse over there
the seeont OH the right. Hope / see
you well. mister"
The second house on the right was
cosy and inviting. 1t was implanted.
hut tho curtains at the windows were
daintily white and clean. Great trees
stood and gave it a pleasant, sheltered
look, though the leaves had nearly ali
fallen. row of milk pans hanging on
the fen. acted the sunset clouds in
their glowing surfaces, and suggested
the perfection of household neatness. A
motley brood of fowls are eating their
supper with great deal Of cluck and
CHATTER from the hands of rosy, ener-
getic-looking matron who stood in the
doorway. A young girl with COM
plexion like a picture of Greuze was
driving a speckled COW up the lane
which led to the barn. The cows horns
were fancifully decorated with q gar
land of the Travellers joy" still beauti-
full, though its leaves were slightly die
colored by frost, and its white blossoms
changed to airy, silver down. The
gill's rustic broad brimmed hat was also
decorated with leaves, berries and dried
blossoms. The picture was worth seq
ing. but the schoolmaster evidently had
not an artists eye.
AT the first glance he said to himself.
"Pity that girl doesn't know how to
spend her time in more profitable way
than to trim up COW in all that non
sense"
The girl colored to the deepest Grim
son when she discovered the strangers
eye upon her, and she disappeared into
the barn with her COW as quickly as pos
sible,
The woman in the doorway disposed
of her dish of corn, felt of her back
hair and made haste to decorate her
plain matronly features with bright,
hospitable smile.
"The new schoolmaster, s'pose,
said she, holding out her hand.
ell don't know" replied he. gaz,
ing after the retreating figure of the
young girl in dazed sort of way.
What !" came in tone of extreme
establishment from the woman, who re-
garded him with sudden suspicion.
80, excuse me, tho fact is, / am the
new schoolmaster. wasn't thinking,
or rather, was thinking about some
thing else.
Sine smiled, and catching the merry
twinkle in her eye he laughed aloud, but
it was a vexed, embarrassed laugh, ut
terly destitute of mirth.
"She'll find me different sort of
chap from what she imagines, J rather
guess. It's the first time / ever forgot
myself because girl had pretty face,
and mean it shall be the last, he said
TO himself.
"Walk in, Mr.. Watkins; | kept sup
per waitin' fur you. / recon we're pretty
hungry travelin' so fur, or did you ride
instead of travel?"
YOU'RE right, marin, am hungry:
All the dinner had was dish of bread
and milk at Grindalps. +"
"Miss Grindall don't pervide for stage
passengers ez I should think she would.
She's getting dretful kind OF shihess
lately. Ef you'll Jest wait minute or
tew I'll stir up the fire little. The teas
got mite cold"
40. YES. I can wait few minutes
when there is such q lively prospect OF
having something to cat before me.
"Do YOU follow school-keepin' all the
year around, Mr.. Watkins r
emo marin. do little tin peddling
In the summer time. The women folks
down below as we'll as up here have to
have their turn at teaching then.
"Tin pcddlin' is a dreadful payin
business, I've heard tell ?"
"Well. il is tolerable. 'Taint quite
"a renteel as school keeping, but I'm
for getting on in the world. I've most
paid for snug little farm already, ana
I and my mother manage pretty COM
fortably." -
"This amt so bad, ? thought the Wild
ow "He's forehalled enough tor 80
voung man, and he's orful took with
Phebe. never sec anything IKE the
wav he looked at her did lot on her
marvin preacher, but folks so high
mn IN fine world haint so dreadful COM
NOR. especially single ones. But, there,
IFS no use she's SO bashful she won !
sneak to nobody, won't let nobody git
acquainted with her, ell / ken say OF
Phebe," she called, stepping to the
door q wish you'd hurry in n pour the
new schoolmaster's tea for him whilst !
90 daown sullar n work over my Srtter-
Ets cot tew be done afore dark, yeou
kneow." IL:
Phebe appeared with look Of dire
distress on her lovely countenance
and did as she was hidden, but she dld
not once lift her eyes during Ike whole
time abe remained in the room.
"This bread is first-rate, full as good
as nv mother makes, if not better. 1
sbouIdn't wonder if you made e your
self ncs," said he, attempting 70 speak
Nth BIS usual iaunty, seiI-important alr.
~ n IrA