The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-10-17


scenes this old earth ever exhibits upon
her canvas-morning in the country.
A true lover of nature, she was fas=
cinated by the beauty of the morning,
and no one knows how long she would
have sat there, if Cousin Ruth had not
called her to breakfast.
The school-house was about mile
from the house by the road, and little
more than half that distance "across
lots" Helen chose the shortcut"
which led through the orchard below
the house, across brook and through
a little piece of woods, at the edge of
which stood the school house.
AS she walked along, she began to
realize that she was the ''school
marm," and felt just little queer.
She was now very near the school
house, however, and the voices of the
children put an end to her meditations.
AS she entered the gate two little fell
lows standing near had evidently been
talking about the ''new teacher" for
she heard one say: "By George, Bob,
there she is now!"
"Whewr' replied the other, "ain't
she handsome; she is just boss, you
bet"
Now the ladylike Miss Rutherford
did not approve of slang-no well-bred
person does--but she rather liked the
spirit that prompted it, and enjoyed a
little of it when expressive and well
chosen. Suffice it to say that she felt
very much encouraged as she took her
place at the teachers desk, and resolved
to cultivate the acquaintance of little
Bob Mason, as he seemed very bright
boy.
Miss Rutherford's success as a
teacher was very marked. We do not
know what the Board of Directors
thought of her method, nor how nearly
her system conceded with that of the
public schools generally; but at the end
of six months she had accomplished
two things; the discipline of the school
was perfect, and she had awakened an
interest in the minds of her pupils in
their studies which would outlast their
school days and be an incentive to fur
Their investigation and attainment.
Spring had come, and each day
there was a revelation of new beauty;
''the bud of promise one day, the
next the perfect flower of fulfill
ment."
Helen Rutherford had never watched
the coming of the spring in the coun-
try, and she was in a constant state of
delight. Her scholars caught her en-
thusiasm, and many of them will never
forget those lovely spring days, when
they rambled through fields and woods
with ''the teacher" and with her
learned to see "beauty in the grass and
glory in the flower
CHAPTER III.
Cecil Delaney had returned from
Europe. He had learned much and
enjoyed much, but had come back,
glad 20 call America home.
He was lawyer by profession, and,
| although possessed of means sufficient
to enable him to live q life of leisure,
his energetic nature demanded en-
ployment, and he had decided to begin
the practice of law in the autumn. He
was now taking trip through the
country ON horseback. He tried tC
persuade himself that he needed the
diversion it would afford before apply.
ing himself to his winters work. The
fact was, he was in search of Mis-;
Rutherford. He had met her frequently
in society before he went abroad, adj
mired her exceedingly and had never
ceased to regret that she had not gone
on the yachting party, that he nigh
have become better acquainted witt
her.
If Miss Rutherford has awakened
any interest in the minds of our read
ers, they will perhaps be wondering
what she looked like; or, rather, wha
style of beauty Mr.. Delaney admired
AS to personal appearance, grea
play of imagination will be allowed
and our young lady may be a blonde Of
brunette, or of the medium type, which
unquestionably embraces many pretty
girls. She may measure anywhere be
tween five feet six and four feet nine
and half-we would not have her less
and she may be sedate, if you please
but we would suggest just twinkle il
her eye; or she may be vivacious, bu
not to the point of frivolty.
And Mr.. Delaney? Paint him also
the outer man-according to YOU
fancy, reader Make him tall or short
give him side whiskers or mustache
or both; but of the inner man be as
sured he felt
"a peace above all earthly dignties,
A still and quiet conscience"
and in his intercourse with others, he
"gave the world assurance of man. ,
Soon after reaching home Mr.. De
lancy called at Miss Rutherford's anC
was informed thar the family were a
the seashore, all but "Miss Helen:" sh,
was with her cousin, Mrs. Kendall, wht
lived near Mapleton, station on thu
c. Railroad.
Thus it was that ON one of thos,
bright days, Bob Mason stopped as h,
was carrying bucket of water to tx,
school-house to look at the ''nobbies
lookin' teller he had ever laid eyes on.
With the eye of a true boy he had takel
in, at a glance, all the true points o
the beautiful animal Cecil Delaney rode
and was lost in admiration when re
called to his senses by the question:
"My little fellow, can you tell III
what the station near here is called
and direct me to it?"
eyes, sir, it's Mapleton, and you g
straight ahead. "
"Thank you,n and Mr.. Delaney wa
about riding off, when happy though
seemed to strike him, and he asked
"Who teaches school herePh