The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-12-04
A HAPPY OMEN.


YOU done? Oh. dear dear! what will
the professor sayP Was there ever such
a mess? Bon cicj'" and with Slight
variations the babel of tongues went
on, as a score of the larger girls at
Madame 'Orsay's institution, gathered
around box of ,hivered class, and sur
veyed the crystal atoms.
There was momentary pause as
Nell Hunter stopped down and gath
cred the broken fragments; but the
solemnity with which she shook her
head and the unusual depth OF her
voice as she exclaimed, Gan shattered
and shivered and gooeto smash quite
awed the party, and again they resort
ed to the explanatory relief.
ooh, Mamie Barker! | wouldn't
stand in your shoes! The professor will
annihilate you for the destruction OF
his pet Instruments
"lt is unlucky to break glass |
should expect to hear of the death of
all my friends whned Jane Morton
in tone decidedly doloroso.
"FiddIc-faddlem sneered Hattie
Clark. Jane Morton, you had better
hang a horseshoe over your door TO
keep the witches away. Oh course, it
is unlucky to break surveyors tran
sit. compass, and all these delicate
instruments, but don't be such fool as
to suppose this accident will influence
Nannie'S fate otherwise
Not a word said Mamie Barker all
this time
ITO think that should do that! If it
were any one else, the professor would
be less severe, for have always been
the most aggravating pupil in his class,
and he likes me least Only think how
saucy and provoking | was yesterday;
and he worships these instruments as
much as lie dcspises me. Oh, dear, |
feel like one of the little creatures we
read about, who was going TO be eaten
up by dragons. | wish had been
heather and my mother had thrown me
in the Gauges to crocodile when |
was an infant, before | knew the hor-
rors Of mathematics or the terors of
Prof Sterlings wrath"
We could not refrain from laughing
though her suferings were not in the
least affected, for if Madame D'Orsay
had pupil who was Professor Sterling's
aversion, that pupil was saucy Mamie
Barker.
What is their valued" asked praci-
cal Nell Hunter, toying with the bits Of
glass and metal.
"The transit alone is worth more
than twenty pounds" | replied. II
think it was the only careless thing
Professor Sterling ever did, to leave
that case here yesterday. He was
absent-minded all through our recita-
ton"
more than twenty pounds!' echoed
Mamie Barker. "And the compass
and ALI What-oh, what shall | do?o
Every girl glanced at Nannio's dress,
the plaincst and cheapest in the insti-
tuition; but the clear, sharp ringing of
the prayer bell arrested all further spec.
ulatons and comments, and the group
paired off in congcnial couples, chat
ting on their way TO the chapel, of Nam
ME Bankers wild race through the
study-hall, and her unfortunate stumble
against the table where stood !he pro-
fessor's instruments. Such remarks as
these might have been heard:
"Nannie is very poor, Her uncle is
educating her for teacher. She can
never pay the value of the broken in
struments.'
In the meantime Mamie had linked
her arm in mine, and we were slowly
bringing up the rear
"What--oh, what shall | do?' she
was saying. ''In half an hour the stern
old ogre will be here. II could give
him an equivalent | would be as defiant
as ever; but have no money. ! dare
not ask my uncle, and poor mamma
has none. The only article of value
possess is this watch, mammals watch,
II Professor Sterling were woman
would know how to manage; but | am
afraid Of men--I never knew any to
speak of-but they are all so high aud
lofty, and are not tender and gentle like
women. ] can't understand them, and
l fear Professor Sterling if am saucy
and contrary"
'lou 90 the professor INJUSTICE,
l began. But the chapel door was
reached, and further comment was
checked.
"Thcre will be no recitation in Pro-
fessor Sterling's room to-day" said
Madame ID Orsay as we left the chapel
The professors wife is dangerously
i'll. lie has sent for case of instrU-
ments he unintentionally left yesterday.
WIN some of the young ladies give them
to his servant?,'
Now was the time for Nannie's con
fession, and with sobs aud tears she
explained to madame the sad mislor-
tune,
sic ne SaiS qGy fobc," began ma
dame but seeing Nannie's paz2led
looks at her French comfort she con-
,, tinued; Tho professor loves science;
lie loves his instruments. lie will be
exceedingly yexed perhaps, but you
had better frankly tell him. He has a
KIND heart, | assure you. lie will OK.
. pect his Instruments, and IL will neve,
be 50 easy 10 tell him MS now. will
excuse Won and vnur friutn Tram mann