Daily globe., 1881-02-06
THE NEW sCHOOUMAsTER.

ber when the new schoolmaster arrived
at the Forks. He came on foot, with
his traveling-bag slung over his back by
means of o cane-a sturdy young man,
with red hair, shapely features and an
independent gait. He held his head as
If he were determined to thrust 1t
through every obstacle which came IN
his way, and looked neither to the right
nor to the left, though glance over his
shoulder would have revealed to him,
through the fringes OF the gigantic pine
trees, o sunset picture such as IS seldom
seen in this cold New England region.
There was more than the usual num-
ber of sitters in the store that night,
drawn thither by tie fact that the new
schoolmaster was expected, and, when
that gentleman reached the dingy little
building, they were al on the steps to
greet him.
s'New schoolmaster, [ catilate step'n
be sosherable awhile, hey?" said the
store-keeper. who was also the school
agent and mill-oWDer-the one great
man of the place.
"Would like to, but the fact is I've
been a-t1avelin' ali day, pretty much,
and am gettin' to be rather sharp-set.
Besides that, I'm afraid my boarding
mistress IL get tired o waitin' for me,
and clear away her supper-table."
"Ah, yis; waal, pr'aps yed better
keep along. The widder hain't over
pashunt. Thet's her haouse over there
the secont on the right. Hope see
you well, mister"
The second house on the right was
cosy and inviting. It was unpainted,
but the curtains at the windows were
daintily white and clean. Great trees
B stood and gave it pleasant, sheltered
look, though the leaves had nearly ali
fallen. A row of milk pans hanging on
the fence reflected 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
clatter from the hands Of rosy, ener-
getic-looking matron who stood In the
doorway. A young girl with COM
plexion like picture of Greuze was
driving speckled cow up the lane
which led to the barn. The cows horns
were fancifully decorated with gar
land Of the "trayeler's JOY" still beauti-
full, though its leaves were slightly dis
colored by frost. and its white blossoms
changed to airy, silver down. The
girls rustic broad brimmed hat was also
decorated with leaves, berries and dried
blossoms. The picture was worth see
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 nom
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.
Of her dish of corn, felt of her back
hair and made haste to decorate her
plain matronly features with a bright,
hospitahle smile.
"The new schoolmaster, I 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
astonishment from the woman, who re-
garded him with sudden suspicion.
$50, excuse me, the fact is, l am the
new schoolmaster. / wasn't thinking,
or rather, l was thinking about some
thing else"
She smiled, and catching the merry
twinkle In her eye he laughed aloud, but
,,c.t,
terly destitute of mirth.
"She'H find me a different sort of q
chap from what she imagines, rather
guess. It's the first time L ever forgot
myself because a girl had pretty face,
and I mean it shall be the last" he said
to himself.
"Walk in, Mr.. Watkins; I kept sup
per waitin' fur you. I recon ye're pretty
hungry travelin' so fur, or did you ride
instead of travel?"
you're right, marm, am hungry.
All the dinner had was dish of bread
and milk at Grindal's"
"Miss Grindall don't pervide for stage
passengers ez should think she would.
She's getting dretful kind of shifess
lately. Eff you'll jest wait a minute or
tew I'll stir up the fire a little. The teas
got mite cold"
so, yes, can wait few minutes
when there is such lively prospect of
having something to eat before me-"
"Do you follow school -keepm' all the
year around, MIR. Watkins %
"No, marm, do little tin peddling
In the summer time. The women folks
down below as well as up here have to
have their turn at teaching them"
'Tin peddlm' is dreadful payin'
business, I've heard tell ?"
"Wel. it is tolerable. 'Taint quite
so genteel as school keeping, but I'm
for getting on in the world. I've most
paid for snug little farm already, and
I and my mother manage pretty COM
fortably."
"This amt so bad" thought the wild
ow. s'He's forehanded enough for so
young man, and he's orful took with
Phebe. Inever see anything like the
way he looked at her l did lot on her
marryin' preacher, but folks so high
up in the world hain't so dreadful COM
mon, especially single ones. But, there,
it's no use /; she's SO bashful she won't
speak to nobody, won't let nobody git