The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-01-28

Il
Miss Woodbridge play. Their inter
view had taken place in the kindly shell
ter of the quiet little reception room
but thc piano was in the big parlot. ant
in there the professor and the Rev. Pau
Apollos were discussing earth ant
heaven. The colonel was stalking
about, showing OF his martial figure
and the young bride, by the side OF heI
new ord, was holding court in tbs
midst OF lively circle Of callers.
Shy, bashiul Martiel How colld she
p!ay before all these reopleP Poor
mid little wren, that mad just crept
rom under the mother wing and flown
)ut of her nest! Could she show what
sweet music she knew how TO make with
crowd Of listenersP
There was nole Of the airs aud grace
)f the music pounding young woman
ibouC Martie, as she dropped down upon
he piano stool and took a moments
grace before entering upon the dreadful
,rdeal. Twas no use waiting, but ah,
il the gentleman would but sit down.
Why will he stand beside her and
watch her poor, frightened fingers as
hey trip and stumble, give a wild jump
for distant note and miss it, make a
dive for one octave and light on another,
and at LAST lose their way altogether and
20 on chasing each other up and
down the key note. Martie knows the
piece she is trying to play as well as she
knows her name, but it flies out of her
head and slips away from her fingers,
and she ends at last with finale of her
own imprtvising, feeling her hair stand
straight uron her head as she does it.
The gentleman was much obliged" l
left almosu imme liately, 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 l dop" when
she was suddenly stopped at the foot OF
the stairs by Mr.. Raymond.
"My dear child, said he, " don't take
it 80 much TO heart. I've heard you
play that pitce 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 a
brute to ask you to do 1t"
ooh, no; it is l who am such a sim
pleton," said Martie; "but you are very
good to me;" and she hurried upstairs,
longing to get where nobody could see
her, but teeEng comiorted a little, even
then, by the tender sympathy which had
done its best to console her.
Once in her own room the foodgates
were opened, and Martie cried over
what she called her disgraceful failure
until she had succeeded in getting up a
raging headache. Then she went to bed
with the determination Of writing in the
morning to Mrs. Myrick, informing tha'
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 esolution into effect
Mrs. Myrick herself appeared, having
made up her mind that Martie would
not do for them. She hadn't been
brought up in their ways, and was like
to be too purtickler.
Thus vanished ali 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 a visit and generous offer
from Il lady who won Martie's heart at
the outset with her pleasant face and
winning ways, and her gentle, motherly
talk about the little boys and the two
little girls at home for whom she wanted
a teacher and companion. But, alas
that home lay hun reds of miles away.
II seemed TO Martie like 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 60 and the home
sickness which crept over her at the
very thought of it. Then scold 'ng her-
self for a genuine coward, shi made
Up her mind that go she must, and 60
Ihe would.
What" exclaimed Mr.. Raymond, in
4 tone of surprise. Have you really
made up your mind to 60 80 far from
home and all your fr.endsP"
"Yes, must CO." said Martie, with
/ little quiver in her voice. "Please
lon't say anything to discourage me-"
al wouldn't for the world" returned
Mr., Raymond, "only that l know of a
nearer home which you can
lave.it you will accept it. Come into
he reception-room, and / will tell you
Lbout it."
Martie was all eagerness now, How |
delightful if, after all, she should not III
obliged to make an exile Of herself. Y
sit is a companion. not teacher that
8 wanted" Mr.. Raymond continued,
Would you be willing to take q situa-
ion rs companionp"
Marties face fell little, but she
81 should be very glad to take such o
situation, if / could fill it. Do YOU
hink couldP"
"I'm sure you could"
"Do you know the person who wants
. companionP"
eyes"