The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-09-05

CHIPS anu tHlnRSy anu lOikOV Luz
Miss Mckenzie sighed but took up her
notebook again. "Im sorry, Miss Nell
son." she said, in her queer, dispassionate
voice; "but shall have to give you FIVE
more marks for neglect Of duty"
"I don't care how many you give me, if
you will take away the five you have given
Lois" cried Morning Glory, ready to sob.
"She broke the rules, Miss Eva, and you
are breaking them now. Go into your
room, my DEAR" said Miss Mckenzie,
walking away.
The study hour passed in silence in No.
40. Lois rested her elbows on the table
and with logged perseverance mastered
the problems in her geometry, and Eva,
after tearfully gazing out of the window
three-fourths of the time, suddenly con-
centrated attention and energy and mas
tered her Cicero lesson and the rules be-
longing to it in Grabbed old Zumpt's
grammar. But when the half past eight
bell rang for prayers, and the fair head
and dark one were pressed close together
before the tiny mirror, Lois whispered
savagely, al hate that little, sneaking,
spying thingp -.
care you going to eat her ?" exclaimed
stand her; but I'd give my prettiest sleeve
buttons to be able to scare her, with
woolly spider, or big caterpillar"
Give thought of something worth a
dozen of that" said Lois.
About half mile from the academy
was the Janesboro Polytechnic School
for Boys. Every Saturday the young
ladies who had relatives in the city, or at
the Polytechnic, were allowed to receive
them in Madam Lund's parlors; and it
happened that the day after the events
occurred, which l have Just narrated,
Lois Hannas brother Tom came to see
her. That night, long after every light
was out in the academy, a man, far too
agile to be either Ezra Belts or Patrick
Conner, ran lightly along the snow that
hid the lawn, till he reached the east wing
of the building. A window in the third
story was opened, despite the singing air,
and in few moments small bundle
went up and plunged into it.
A week passed, and one evening after
the last bell had rung, and every young
lady was supposed to be snugly in bed,
Miss McKensie softly opened her door and
stepped out. She wore dressing-gown
and felt slippers, and went swiftly along,
stopping at every door a moment. She
was afraid--not of anything in particu-
lar, but of the darkness and the shadowy
corners for the moon was hidden in snow
clouds. Suddenly strangely clad man
sprang from she knew not where, and
clasping his arms around her he muir.
INJURED something, she knew not what, in
her ear.
Shrieks that made Mr.. Belts sit up in
terror in his bed in the basement, filled
the academy, and when Madam Lund and
her two daughters, each armed with a
candlestick, rushed to the rescue, they
found Miss Mckenzie in strong Mysteries
"Burn some feathers, somebody y
cried Madam, pouring about gill of cam
phor in the sufferers nose and eyes, and
send Patrick for the doctor"
"Oh," moaned Miss Mckenzie, strug.
Cling with her tormentors. Find the
man."
"What man ?" cried Madam, seizipg
her candlestick.
al don't-know," sighed Miss Nc
Kenzie.
Mr.. Belts and Pat Common were at once
summoned, and, much against their will
were compelled to search every wood.room
in the building, while Madam and her
daughters visited every bedroom but nc
man was found, and Madam, cold and
cross, recollected Miss McKensie's fears
and concluded the timid lady had run
against the wall and imagined the rest.
Two months had passed, and Miss Nc
Kensie had not ventured from her room
after dark. But Madam thought she saw
repressed but sure signs of mischief, and
Miss McKensie was commanded to resume
her watch. She had only the light of the
stars blinking in at the wide, uncurtained
windows to guide her. and hurried along
uncertain and trembling, when the mys
FERROUS stranger seemed to spring w
through the floor; and, with wildly wav
ing arms, whispered in Nblood-curdline
tones something. Miss Mckenzie coule
only say it sounded like Latin.
Again shrill shrieks filled the sleepy ole
building, and again Madam found Mis-
McKensie in Mysteries, and fearing for tn
popularity of her school, she scolded he
spy. "Sophia," she said, "you have som
disease of the nerves, and you must go t.
DR.. Treat"
The doctor ordered box of phosphol
GUS pills, and said lightly as if Miss Nc
Kensie's fiat pocket-book was stuffed wit
notes: "Worth hundred dollars each
You must 60 to the sea-shore ma'am, whe
the summer comes. This is all nerves
had one patient, ma am who was haunte
by royal Bengal tiger. All a creature c
the imagination, ma'am."
The closing exercises pressed closely o
each other the second week in June, an
by the middle of May the most carelei
girl had settled down to study her sms
best. 1t was nervous work. Professo
Godefroi had appointed Morning Glory
write an essay on the great French dram
, artists for the commencement, and Pr
fessor Olsdoffer had given her an exquisit
: Chopin Etude to learn for the Soir,
Musicale, and one night, after trying
!, count a thousand and other sleep-inducin
juggles, she rose and lit her lamp, thin
, ing reading might quiet her. In m
ment Miss McKensie's hand was on IL
a door. The first dark night after that IL
= little teacher was again frightened by I'll
1 mysterious man, and Madame Lund To-
!. all patience.
a "Miss McKensies career at Janesbol
:. is about over,' said Lois an hour late
}, 81 helped Madam put her to bed, and
s heard Miss Olive say to her : Clearly v
= must make change"