The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-10-04
The pretty schoolma'am smiled colored

word, haven't seen such face in year.
should like to paint her as Hebe, peepine
out from q bower of roses or Persephone,
with both arms full of flowers I've always
fancied the idea of wife who should differ
from the rank and file of smiling, simpering,
fashionable women. She's a little disposed
to keep me at arm's-length, but don't like
her the less for that! ~
Once nnder the shelter of the little inns
long, struggling, stout building, which
might have been fortress, or might have
been grist-mill he casually alluded to his
days adventure, as he sat over his broilel
ham and eggs, weak Coffee and freshly fried
crullers
"Oh, by-the-way, squire, said he to his
landlord (up in the Adirondacks all landlords
are "squires," and so is everybody else), 81
came across your district school-house to.
day."
Ibid We, though 2" said the tavern-keeper
"Wal now, amt that kind o. GURUS? Why,
it's KEEP the deestrick school by my niece,
Ketury Spikes"
"Keturah Spikes ?" repeated Mr.. Mcreau,
rather taken aback
Somehow, he had associated some very
different nomenclature with the fair one
with the golden locks. "Keturah did not
seem to suit her at ALL
eyes, Ketury Spikes" said mine host.
Named after an aunt ms was expected to
leave her money, but didn't Pretty smart
gal, though, Ketury Don't need no legacy
to boost her along"
81 should think not" remarked Mr.
Moreau.
"Got history, Ketury has" went ON the
landlord, whose name was Lemuel Stiles.
Indeed"
Disappointed ~ said Mr. Stiles "a En-
gagged to be married. Young man give leg
bail and enlisted, and went to Florida to
fight the Indians And Ketury she made a
VOW
Never to marry ?" asked Moreau, quick
ly.
''No, to marry the first identickle chap as
axed her." retorted Mr.. Stiles, with grin.
Our gals up here in the Adirondacks is
got the chance. Fellers is scarce in these
parts, We see You amt marrying man,
be We, stranger?" with a sudden speculative
CLEAN in his dull eyes.
Moreau smiled
81 might be" said he. "If you would
kindly give me a letter of Introduction to
Miss Spikes, believe I will try my luck
with her. For to speak the truth, ] was
exceedingly pleased with what little saw
of her this morning"
"Sartin I will !" said Mr.. Lemuel Stiles.
and I'll tell you what, stranger, there amt
many gals like my niece, Keturah."
As Mark Moreau sat before the big fire of
logs, which the chilliness of the September
evening rendered not uncomfortable ha
smiled to himself with a Mepnistophe!an
satisfaction.
"At all events" he thought, +" this will
open the way 10 pleasant little Irritation.
And if worst comes to worst, can but fol-
low the example of the Florida volunteer
All that evening, Mr.. Lemuel Stiles, who,
according to his own frank admission, was
emo scholard," wrestled with sheet Of
paper, musty ink-bottle, and stump of
pen, and at ten o'clock produced the follow.
ing document, not without certain grave
triumph:
Niece Kitoorah, this is TO interduce mr..
mark marc, who Wants a Wife and you
want Husband and thare's g pare of you
From your afectionete Uncle to comand,
81. STILES"
al guess that there'll do the business
said Mr. Stiles, with pardonable pride, as he
smeared out blot fron the loop of the L
with his coat-cuf.
Mark MORGAN glanced over ii rather dub
ously 10
aft she wasn't such a little beauty" he
thought, "this would seem rather a Quixotic
enterprise. But those sapphire-blue eyes
would light man over the very Tarpeian
cliff :" t4g.sFa
And the next morning he proceeded
straight to the school-house
s'Bub ~ he said, to o ed-haired boy, who
was shuffiing his feet outside the door, lis
Miss Spikes within p 49,
"Just come" said the boy. "School
amt in yet Wants six minutes o. nine yet"
'Giye her this slip of paper, please, said
our hero, land tell her ! am waiting out
side."
Half minnie later, there was a rush like
that of q buffalo, and a tall, lean female,
with a scanty knot OF fox-colored hair screw
ed on the top of her head, watery blue eyes,
high cheek-bones, and badly fitting false
teeth, flung herself on his shoulder, a 10
provincial theatres.
'When l seen you go by the tavern
yesterday, felt you was my counterpart |"
sighed this gentle gazelle, with a strong
scent of fried onions in her breath; but
little did dream as you was SO near me in
soul. was a-settin' on the back-door step
when you went a-past. had the face-ache,
and Fanny Dorel she took charge of the
school for me yesterday"
Fanny Dorell" This, then, was the
name of the gold-tressod divinity who had
taken his heart by storm. There was mis-.
apprehension all around, and Mark Moreau
made haste to disengage himself from Mise
Keturah Spikes clinging arms
"There is some mistake, said he, hurri.
edly.
"No, there amt" said Miss Spikes.
II supposed this letter was addressed to
Fanny Dorel," he pleaded.
" 1t says Keturah Spikes plain enough,
don't til" said the lady, with gathering
clouds upon her brow.
My dear Miss" he began.
Call me Keturah, she smiled.
II see that am intruding on the busiest
part of your day." he urged.
"School teachin' amt nothin' when the
.enderest feelin's of the heart is concerned"
murmured the tall woman.
q But business is business" reasoned our
hero, artfully " and / shall see you this
evening at your uncles house. Until then
ar 9'ecojr p
The school-bell clanged-Mr. MORGAN
hurried away. Miss Spikes returned with q
softly FACILITATING heart to her books and
sletes--Minerva succeeded Cupid-and our
L -.r ..l,,~<xn5 toto tho xrnrde wiring hia