Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-09
Gales ano Skftfbts.
AUNT KAfE's BIG BOZ.


boy. 1t never occurred 10 me for some time
that the words had any particular signifi
cancy. Certainly no one would suspect
that there was q romance connected with
my aunt's life, but 50 II was, and this is
how / discovered the fact.
lived in the city, but went to the coun-
try every summer for q months holiday
This period was spent at Aunt Hates.
She was the best hearted soul in the world.
loved her from childhood, and the feel
ing had in no degree diminished when
found myself in my 18th year, the time Of
which now write. IL was the latter part
Of the summer, and was making good
use Of the few days which still remained
before college duties summoned me away
to another year of hard work. One even
ing, as sat at an open window in the old
farm house, asked my aunt why she call
ed my uncle her big boy. and she told me
the following story:
When ! was eight years Of ago, and your
mother about six, our father died and we
were left orphans, mother having gone to
well earned rest some few years prev
ious. Young as then was could still
thoroughly understand how none OF our
relatives wished to be burdened with my
sister or myself. for we were burdens in
every sense of the word, being too young
10 be youthful and penniless as well.
Finally. misery old aunt agreed tn take
charge Of your mother, and fell in the
care Of Uncle Robert, who is now dead.
Though treated with indifference at first,
this feeling gradually changed, and he be-
slowed great deal affection on me. which
I fully returned, and in time was looked
upon as one OF his own children.
was always rather delicate, but attend
ed school until my 18th year. Then, be-
ing sufficiently educated for those days.
left class duties and lived quietly with my
uncle Two years went by. NY hum
drum life had grown wearisome. Besides.
was anxious to take up something which
would make me feel that was earning
my own livelihood. The older grew the
more distasteful was the thought of being
dependent on others. was planning
what should do, when chance threw an
opportunity in my path. 1t came about
in this way:
One evening I went to what was called
a donation party. at the residence of our
pastor. While there | met young minis
ter from a Western State. In the course
of conversation he spoke Of how badly he
needed a school in the country place where
his mission was. My Interest was aroused,
the result being that before the evening
was over had promised to 90 West and
commence teaching at once, provided I'M
Gle was satisfied. The following day we
discussed the subject. pro and con. and.
"a had expected he refused his consent.
Nothing daunted, renewed the attack,
and after much persuasion on my part. he
thought better Of it. Two weeks later |
was on the field of battle. for it was really
place where war was to be waged. The
school house had been hastily constructed.
was very rude in appearance, and capable
Of accommodating about fifty pupils. a
small platform and neat desk occupied
one end of the only class room. Here
was to sway the scepter.
II was early in Nav. and wished to
have my charges thoroughly in hand be-
fore vacation. so that when September
came we could 90 to work in real earnest
Visions of rosy-cheeked scholars bringing
bouquets tn grace my desk had been float
ing through my brain when on Monday
morning | opened the school room door
Picture my amazement at finding about 40
children, varying in age from nine to IL,
all struggling and guarreling tor what
they called the best seats Nv presence
being discovered there was quiet for mo-
ment, broken by n tow-headed boy crying
out:
'Missis. can't have this seat ?'
Before could reply another boy. larger
than the first. yelled:
mo, you can't! was here before
you"
Then the bedlam began anew. Alas
for my dreams of rosy-cheeked pupils l
seized a ruler and gave two or three sharp
taps on my desk. This had the effect of
restoring q certain degree of order, fol-
lowing which | said:
"Children, sitdown. will give you your
proper places after u few moments. No
person Is to speak about seats or anything
else unless first addressed by me-"
A great deal of murmuriug ensued. but
all sat down. Slowly and surely things
took shape. and after while we were
getting on nicely. The children were
simply little wild. as they are always
apt to be when freed for a long period
from restraint. For week or So they
were rather unmanageable. then all went
smoothly. A month gl;ded by in peace.
At the expiration of that time came an
event.
One morning went to the school at my
usual hour. which was about ten minutes
before the commencement of exercises.
On entering the room I noticed large
boy, whom judged to be about Is years
of age. looking out of one of the windows.
He was better dressed than any of my
scholars and had quite different air
about him. My first thought was that he
had come with some message from the
minister. l was. therefore. rather sur
prised when he approached me and said
"Miss Barkley. wish to become one OF
your pupils"
He had handsome face. and easy man.
ner. and seemed in every way superior to
the other bows in the room.
IL Doubt" replied. IF we are sufii-
ciently advanced for your requirements.
You are quite large boy"
YES" he said Il am nearly 10. but
have never given much time to school.
One year at home and two years at col
lege are all have had. guess l can
pick up something here"
Seeing that he was anxious to stay,
asked his name, which. he informed me.
was George Gates. and then / assigned
him seat. We got along tolerably we'll.
though my big boy, as mentally called
hin, .|sI not nnnaar ,,o1,,,l ,,.,yy.. l..