The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-11-12
Miss Piper's Pupil.
AN ENGLISH STORY.

Miss Pandora Piper teacher of mu-
sic, who had hard work to keep soul and
body together, but was not unhappy,
because, as she said, she was never left
without new bonnet for Easter Sun
day, and one black silk, somehow, al
ways managed to last until she could
get a new one, received very singu-
lar note one morning-a note which
had been handed in at the door, the
landlady's girl - said, by an " elderly
gentleman"
This epistle was enveloped in the
costliest and most richly decorated en-
velope that could be procured for love
or money anywhere. The paper, nearly
as thick as cardboard, was to match. a
coat of arms was in the corner, and the
words below were as follows:
"Miss Piper "A Person of neglected ed
ercashun is wishful to be undertook Will
kali at 3. MISTER SLIGER."
"My gracious!" calculated Miss Pan
dora; " he must have been neglected,
that's certain. / never saw anything
like that before in all my lifel Fatally
forgotten, should say! Well, 1 Won
der what he can be like! He must be
rich. suppose. Poor people can't af-
ford such stationery at this. And a
coat of arms, tool Shoddy, | suppose /;
but so that he's respectful, why should
/ care for that? He will probably pay
well, and I've lost Anne Eliza Griggs,
by marriage, just as she was beginning
to take variations"
Mora, l shall be in if new pupil
gentleman-calls at three O'clock
Nora, who liked Miss Piper. who
often gave her little presents, and who
kept on an upper shelf of her closet
some soothing balsam which she was
always ready to apply to the poor girls
awkward fingers, which were always
being cut or burned or pinched, gave
an amaible grin.
The morning wore away. Two little
girls had gone through their exercises,
and heavy lady, who took lessons in
vocal music, had nearly burst blood
vessel in endeavoring to gain a certain
high note.
Miss Piper had been around the cor
ner to give lesson there, and over the
way to see to another pupils practicing
She came home in a hurry, arranged
her hair, saw that her little parlor was
neat, and awaited her guest.
AT last he came.
Nora showed some one up stairs, and
there entered at the door an elderly
gentleman, of benign appearance,
dressed in the latest fashion
hope l am not late, mum. I
know your time must be very valuable. -
81 am sure | only wish everybody
was as punctual," said Miss Piper. g 1t
is exactly three o'clock"
"You're very kind, num- said the
gentleman, seating himself, as Miss Pi-
per motioned him to a chair. :" Pm an
oldish pupil, suppose you think; but
I'll explain. I think I've explained in
my note, but I'll explain again. I've
been neglected, not from any unkind-
ness-for my poor mother did the best
she could for me-but we were very
poor. l don't wish to mention the
humble position I've always occupied
until year ago, when somebody come
and hunted me out. Mother was dead
poor dear! But this was how it was
Father was very rich, and up in the
world; mother was housemaid. He
married her, and his mother was flu
rlous, and mother couldn't stand it.
She ran away; she came here and lived
an honest, Woodworking life. 1t was
only when she died that she told me
my name was not Noggins, but Sliger,
and that she had written to my father.
or got some lawyer to write, and he was
dead, too, and | came into the property,
and left the humble position | won't
allude to, and-well, I'm rich, but /
don't know anything, and before GO
to England / want to be educated, you
understands
It's very laudible ambition, I'm
sure" said Miss Piper. 81 usually
teach music, but of course / can under
take the English branches
eyes, num- replied the gentleman,
hastily. {" want to begin with music
the pyanner. / have never known
any one in high life who could not play
upon the pyanner. Begin with that
and go on to spelling, which | am con-
scious l sadly need"
1t was not the usual course, but there
was a seriousness and dignified manner
about this neglected :" person that
made it impossible for Miss Piper to say
so. She mentioned her terms, and sci
the hours for the lessons, and so skill
fully emphasized the name of the instru.
ment that Mr.. Sliger, before his depar-
ture, had begun to call it peearno, .
instead of the ''pyanner."
AT the door, however, he gave her 8
dreadful shock.
" l wish num-" he remarked, "tc
begin with tunes"
Miss Piper was a conscientious little
teacher, but she felt that there were
people in this world who must have
their own way; and Mr.. Sliger's frs
lesson consisted of the White Cock
ade."
He had very good ear, and he wa'
anxious to learn. From the "Whitt
Cockade " he went on to " Life Let III
Cherish" and poor, guilty Miss Piper
who felt the notes had very little to d.
with his performance, beat time ant
counted.
Meanwhile, she found that, leaving
education out of the question, the maj
was very sensible-that he was kindl,
and amiable. Once corrected ON TIL,
pronunciation of word, he never be