The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-02-01
"ONLY A MINER" +"
A Sketch From Life.

Tregoze is pleasant little Cornish
village overlooking the Western Sea-"
Every thing there is rough and stony,
and even the inhabitants are to all ap-
pearance as rough and stony asItheir ma
tive rocks. But underneath those slaty
fields lies the rich vein of metal. and in
those rough Cornish hearts is vein of
human feeling and Christian charity
far, far purer than much that passes as
such in the fashionable world, where
tinkling bells daily summon rich dowa-
gers to church in their gorgeous char
lots.
The children of Tregoze were tripping
lightly TO school after their HOLIDAYS,
along the hard, slaty paths. 1t was, in
deed, with no creeping like snail un-
willingly to SCHOOL, kind of motion on
this occasion, as all were full of expecta-
ton. almost of joy, for they were to
have that day new mistress, one whom
they all knew, and who had, in fact,
been one of themselves.
Idargaret Fowhele had been born in
TregoZe, where she had attended the
school, first as pupil, and then as pupil
teacher. Thence she had gone to the
college in London, and a vacancy hav-
ing occurred, she had been appointed
mistress down there in her own native
village. Her father had worked there,
man and boy. in the Tregoze mines for
upwards of forty years, and he still con-
tinued to follow this same occupation.
The children, therefore, all knew Mar
garet. Their memories of her were pleas
ant, and hence they tripped joyously to
school, where they admired their new
mistress, who, in their eyes, was GER
tainly as learned as the curate, and
almost as wise as the vicar, besides be-
ing as pretty as - princess. When they,
therefore, returned home at midday,
many were the exclamations of, isn't
she prettyP'' "Isn't she nicee' and so
on, among the youngsters; which ex-
clamations generally called forth from
the old people the remark, al hope thee
wool get vorrard i thy farming, cause
times be very hard for US poor volks."
Many others besides the school-child-
ren were in love with Margaret, for she
had budded into womandood since she
had left Tregoze, and now her beauty
had taken the young men by surprise.
For some time Margaret found it far
from agreeable to have so many admir-
ers. but by dint of good management,
by the falling off of those who felt they
had mo chance" and through other
circumstances, her circle of avowed
adorers became reduced to two-Joseph
Tregear and Tom Polglaze.
Both Of these young men were receiv-
ing good wages in the mines, and had
opportunities of rising TO higher posi-
tions as inspectors, and so forth both,
too, were steady, and had saved 4 little
money. 1t was long, however, before
Margaret herself made it known which
of them she preferred; in fact, so f;....e
that goes. neither could for long ti,e
boast of the smallest favor. Other girls
called Margaret f1irt, but in this they
wronged her. The simple fact was tLat
Margaret, not yet tired Of being her own
mistress, endeavored so to order her
ways that neither Joseph Tregear, Tom
Polglaze, nor any other suitor, might
have the slightest reason to be jealous
of a rival.
Tregear, however, had the good sense
to see that neither he nor Polglaze was
nearly so well educated as Margaret,
and he well understood that it is a bad
omen when the husband has to look
up to the wife in the matter of learning.
He, accordingly, bought books, and be-
came an earnest midnight student. In
fact, he tried in every way to render
himself Margaret Powhele's equal.
Tom Polglaze, however, loved the fair
teacher not whit less than his rival,
but he was formed in a rougher mould.
He scarcely noticed the change in Ire
gear; but, if he did not, Margaret Pow
hele did, and she was highly gratified
by it.
"Soseph," said she to him, one even
ing, when he came to ask her to take
walk, '.you seem much changed lately;
you are rs little like a native of Tregoze
as myself
'1n what way, MargaretP''
''You have lost that twang, and you
seem to know something about the
great. world. Do you study?'
Eyes; | sit up every night to read, or
to work mathematics"
why? What do you want to be? A
clerk?''
margaret, l study only to be more
like you; love you-vill you"
There! Joseph Tregear! you study
TO he like me? l am sure l never set
yoc. the example of talking such rub
bishi All, ah! Good-byr'
So saying, off she tripped into the
house. to his intense discontinue.
But was Margaret any the more hap