The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-02-01

A Sketch From Life,

tive rocks. But underneath these slaty
fields hes 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 Jregoze were tripping
lightly to school .fter 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.
Margaret Powhele 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 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 herwere 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 a princess. When they,
therefore, returned home at midday,
many were the exclamations of, '1sn't
she pretty?n isn't she nicepn and so
on, among the youngsters; which ex-
carnations generally called forth from
the old people the remark. 81 hope thee
wool get vorrard i thy larning, 'cause
times be very hard for US poor volks.n
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 ayowed
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 little
money. 1t was long, however, before
Margaret herself made it known which
of them she preferred; in fact, so faras
that goes, neither could for long time
boast of the smallest favor. Other girls
called Margaret fiirt, but in this they
wronged her. The simple fact was that
Margaret, not yet tired of being her own
mistress, endeayored 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 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
idCl, lle biICu III 0NGlf way W
himself Margaret Powhele's equal.
Tom Polglaze, however loved the fair
teacher not whit less than his rival,
but he was formed in q rougher mould.
He scarcely noticed the change in Ire
gear; but, if he did not, Margaret Pow
hele did, and she was highly gratitied
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 as little like native of Tregoze
as myself"
'In what way, MargaretP''
"You have lost that twang, and you
seem to know something about the
great world. Do you study?n
''Yes; | sit up every night to read, or
to work mathematics.
why? What do you want to be? A
clerkp''
Margaret, l study only to be more
like you; | love you-will you"
There! Joseph Tregear! you study
to be like me? | am sure l never set
you the example of talking such rub
bish! All, ah! Good-byr'
So saying, off. she tripped into the
house, to his intense discontinue.
But was Margaret any the more hap
py than the lover she had left so discon-
solate in the streetp That evening her
parents noticed great change in her,
but could not discover the cause. She
did not talk, nor take any food, but
soon retired to her own little room,
complaining of headache
'.Do l love him?' she Inuttered, when
alone. Poor fellow, he studies hard
for my sake-to be more worthy of me,
/ suppose he calls it. All. Joseph, why
did | leave You so abruptly? What
giddy, worthless thing [ amr' That
night she could not sleep until she had
decided upon future course of action.
The next day, being Saturday Mar
garet spent at home in household cares,
which she shared with her mother, but
she scarcely spoke word all day. In
the evening she went to the draper's
and bought a few ribbons and other lit
tie articles, for there was some object
now in being pretty.
On Sunday she appeared in church
dressed with more than her usual care,
and she may be forgiven if she was not
quite so attentive to the sermon as she
should have been, for there at dis
tance sat Joseph Tregear, looking at
her with his great blue eyes, making
her blush, and inspiring her with the
desire of sinking through the floor
On leaving the porch. after dismiss
ing her flock, Margaret found Joseph
lregesr and Tom Polglaze pretending
TO read the inscriptions on the tombs.
AT the sound of her step Tom raised his
head and advanced with friendly nod,
whilst Joseph remained still, but fixed
those great blue eyes on her
''Good-morning. Tom," said she, in
chow are you?"
Polglaze was replying as they neared |
Tregear, when Margaret stopped Ire
gear still held back. trembling in his
heart, aud apprehensive of his rival.
Margaret, however, was SO apparently |
calm that he was beginning to think her |
heart as hard as her native rocks, when. /
nNHF Il Il. ID II