The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-05-19
THE GREAT TALL MAN.

one bright summer morning, our teacher,
Miss Pierce, a most beautiful woman.
though of uncertain age, standing in
the middle of our class, giving lesson,
when all of sudden, little Susie Dull
lev rushed into the room, in a state OF
violent excitement, exclaiming:
ooh. the man, the man! The great
tall man with black beard! He's fright
ened me out of my senses
"What man, Lilly" said Miss Piece,
compassionately. "How did he brighten
you, my dear?"
"He came close behind me, and SAID,
Never, never!'" answered the child;
"and put his hands on his forehead, and
then went away out of sight down by the
river. Oh, I'm so frightened, you can't
think"
"It was only some poor crazy man my
DEAR" said Miss Pierce. "You are safe
now, at all events; wipe away your tears
and tell me all about il"
81 was coming along the green lane to-
wards school, hurrting very fast for fear
I should be late, when I met our new
curate, who stopped and shook hands
with me, and asked how you were, and
said he would look in this afternoon; and
while I was answering him this great
tall man passed us twice, and then
stopped beside tile water. And when
the curate turned away he looked after
him, and then walked very quickly to-
wards the school, and then back again,
and then clasped his hands and said,
Never, never! out loud, and frightened
ME so that I cried, and ran here as fast
as could"
This narration affected all the smaller
children as a ghost story would have
done; and Miss Pierce, after looking
round at these frightened faces, laughed
merrily, expressed her conviction that
the great tall gentleman with the black
beard had escaped from the lunatic asy
lnm, and proceeded in the usual routine
of her duties, as though nothing PARTON
lar had occurred.
Early in the afternoon, the curate
called. He was a young and very hand
some man, and rumor said he was ex-
ceedingly in love with Miss Pierce. He
fingered for some time. but went at last,
and the children were dismissed.
When Miss Pierce reached the cottage
where she lodged, the landlady greeted
her with the remark
"Did your ears burn to-day? If not,
they should have done, for you have
been talked about enough. There was
stranger here, o great tall man, with
black beard; and he asked me about the
place and the people, and appeared to be
much interested about the school, and
particularly the teacher, asking what
kind of person she was. told him 1
shouldn't be surprised if you soon gave
up teaching, for the curate was paying
very particular attention to You, and l
thought that you were quite good enough
for parsons wife"
"Oh, Mrs. Jones how could You say
such things to stranger, or 10 anyone?''
exclaimed Miss Pierce. "What must
the gentleman have thought"
ooh! you know I must say something
when l once get started" said Mrs.
Jones. land don't suppose he thought
anything about it. He left soon after,
and went straight towards the school"
The remembrance of the man who had
frightened little Lilly rushed across Miss
Pierce's mind, and 1, who stood listening
to the conversation of the two women,
turned my steps homeward.
"Who could that great tall man be?" l
thought, as tripped along. "Why did
he brighten Lilly, and why did he ask
questions about our school and Miss
Pierce?"
The old fairy tales had conned arose
before my mind and thought OF ogres
who all had black boards and propen-
sity to devour little girls and carry
young ladies away by their long hair.
"What hair Miss Pierce had for that
purposel How a giant would rejoice in
those golden waves"
thought: and just then raising my
eyes they encountered the very person OF
whom had been dreaming. l uttered
a scream of terror and the man put his
hand on my shoulder.
"Don't be frightened little one ne
said, I'm very ofnd of little girls -,
"Does he mean he likes to eat them!
thought aud I looked up at him and
encountered such sweet smile that
gained confidence in moment, and stood
quietly beside him.
"Sit down here" said the stranger; l
want to talk to you. Look. here is some
thing NICE" and he drew o handful OF
confectionery from his pocket. Eat 1t
while talk to you" -.
held my pinafore to receive the g,ft'
and sat down and he seated himself be-
side me.
How old are your" he asked.
"Just si1," answered. ,,,
-