River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-05-05

: hali-stepS and rang a dusty bell, u
which a surprised old man-servant re
/ sponded.
''Is Mr. Gregory in?'
Yes, sir-he's always in; but likely
he won't see you
Perhaps he will when he knows my
name, replied the tutor presenting his
card.
The man reluctantly admitted him
and requesting him to wait, went of
with the card In & few moments he
returned, saying, with the same look o
surprise, that his master would see him
| He then led the way across the hall
down a carpeted passage, and into s
/ comfortable room, lined with books
where, before fire, sat a little, dried
up old gentleman. in a flannel dressing
gown and cap. He looked up with g
share glance as the visitor entered.
"1o what am | indebted for thi:
visit? he demanded, abruptly. .
II have called sir, in compliance witt
your own request" answered the tutor
with some dignity.
"Au request, young man.
~ Is; at least, | presumed it was Mr.
Gregory who desired to see me-"
Not at all-not at all, sir"
Then" said Norwood, flushing
there must be some mistake.
every likely" sarcastially.
You shall judge, sir"
And fumbling in his pockets, Nor
wood drew out the note.
Every deliberately Mr.. Gregory put
on his Spectacles and read it through
"Humph so you thought ] wrote
this p
II presumed so, sir
Have you observed the date p
Friday, April first" read the young
man, aloud
Eyes, sir; April first" read the Ole
gentleman, with look of shrewd and
sarcastic meaning-"April first
In an instant, with sudden shock,
the whole truth flashed upon the poor
tutors mind He turned excessively
red, and bit his lip till the blood sprang
What a simpleton, what a ninny, what
an idiot, what a laundering foel he had
been, to allow himself to be so easily
imposed upon, and that by his own
pupils and trifiing underteacher. No
wonder that they had come out to see
the fun and that the boys had giggled
and Snead, secretly enjoying the sight
of beholding him brushed up and sol
EMMY proceeding on his FOOLS errand
and tomorrow the story would be
spread throughout Bloomfield.
Despite his unusually gentle nature,
it was well for young Chester and Rob
erts, junior, that they were not at that
moment in the grip of the strong arm
of Mr. Robert Norwood. As for Snead,
he could only despise.
Mr.. Gregory, after for an instant sur
veying the young man with the dry
ghost Of smile puckering his eyes and
lips, bent his gaze on the card which
lay on the table before him
II beg your pardon" said Norwood,
in great embarrassment, 'fOr this IN
trusiou II was a fool"
Wiser men than you have been
made fools of on occasions" the old
man replied. But now, as you are
here, you may as well sit down and
rest
This ungracious invition the tutor
declined, but the host insisted.
II really desire you to stay: wish
to speak to you-to make some in
quiries. Dennis, give Mr.. Norwood a
chair, and you may go"
Dennis disappeared accordingly, and
his master, holding up the card, said:
"What do these initials, r. A., stand
for?o
Robert Allston."
Mr. Gregory seemed with difficulty
to swallow something III his throat.
and your mothers name was"
"Maynard-Ellen Maynard"
Another swallow. He rubbed his
throat with his withered hand, cough
ed, and complained of IL cold, request
ing his visitor to have the goodness to
pour cut little cordial for him nom
a bottle which stood on the table.
This seemed to afford him relief, and
he com menced conversation, talking
about many things-the neighborhood,
the school, Latin and Greek-Of the
tutors position and salary in the
school--of his present and past life,
until, in less than an hour, Robert Nor
wood awOke to the consciousness that
his singular host had gradually and
artfullv drawn from him a full account
Of himself and his family.
He had wormed out of him how his
father had been disinherited by an
uncle for marrying a good and beauti-
/ full girl, whose only fault was that she
/ possessed not penny OF her own, now
/ this uncle had left his whole property
| to another nephew, and how his father
I after a life OF incessant toll and labor
| to support his family, and give them &
! good education, had died as poor a.
when he began life AS for himsel
! Robert Norwood), this education wa'
all that ne possessed, and the position
/ which c now held as head teacher II
4 second-rate school in second-rat'
village was all that he at present had t
| depend on for the support of himsel
and mother and young sister-the lat
ter of whom was bravely struggling
with little shcool of her own.
Really" said the young man, rising
hastily, Il must apologize for remain
ing so long and wearying YOU with sub
/ jects Of 20 possible interest to yourself.
"Stay moment" said the old gen
tleman. Il presume that all your tim
| is not occupied at the school-in tn,
evenings, for Instance, and on Satur
days, you are at leisure"
Norwood replied in the affirmative.
at has occurred to me that if yol
were willing to add little to your re
sources, and at the same time to do m
4 service, you might come over somo
times and read Latin with me, ant
give little instruction in that an,
French to my niece Her education
was hardly fully completed when
took her from school and carried he
abroad. when ordered to go for m
health. We are both getting littl
rusty IN the languages. Your takin
us in hand would be a great service
and am willing to pay you handsome
! ~ for your extra trouble"
1t was with light heart and ste
that Robert Norwood descended tn
steps Of the old manor house.
But, in doing so, ne almost ral
against a young lady who was ascend
ing, her hands full Of budding ferns an
moses. 4 bow and smile Of mutua
recognition took place, and then th
young girl, after passing, addresse
him.
Il have left Brand outside, she said
"and ~ he doesn't know YOU and
don't see Dennis anywhere, | will my
self see you safe beyond the cute
gate"
| And SO it happened that Mr.. Rober
| Norwood, with his heart all in glow