Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-04-21
settles down in the glowing sunshine to
long day of drudgery.

~ ID lhS Silu4 luOiulHS dlleT 10
installation as governess to Mrs. Fitz-
Maurice Smiths sweet children. She
has requested an interview with their
august mother for the purpose of in.
forming that formidable parsonage that
she has decided on retiring from field
whence few brave and many faint
hearts have already been ousted.
Flo can hold her own well enough
with the children, who, though high
spirited and utterly spoiled, are not
without their redeemlng good points,
but she cannot brook the perpetual in
science and interference of their mother
Flo has no wish to work In so un.
profitable vineyard whilst other fields
lie open TO Eer; consequently she has
demanded an interview with her EN-.
ployer, and is even now standing firmly
graspIng the handle of the morning
room door. She turns il, and is about
to enter, when, percelving that Mr..
Smith is the only occupant of the apart
ment, she makesan excuse and proceeds
to withdraw. She is however quickly
recalled.
'IIere, thingamy-bo6l l want some
one; you'll dol"
Flo rather likes Mr.. Smith, though
he does usually particularise her as
''thingamy- -bob"-poor man he cannot
be expected to remember all the COVER
nesSeS' names!-so she enters the room
and asks
''Is there anything l can do for you?"
"Can you writer" asks Mr.. Smith
doubtfully. His own corresponding
! uOvvars orc co vary lirnifad that ha pat-
urally doubts those of others.
Yes" answers Flo, smiling little.
Then sit down here, like good
what's-your-name. and tell this man l
can't meet him on Thursday-it's a
hunting day."
Flo selects a sheet of paper and CON-
plies with the request. She has just
finished her note, when Mrs. Smith
enters the room, and looks with some
little astonishment from her governess
to her husband.
"Thingamy-bob has been writing to
| Tomkins for me. l couldn't wait for
you," he explains, and then tramps
hurriedly out to where his horse is
awaiting him.
Mrs. Smith shrugs her shoulders de-
preciatingly.
tom shall be SO educated that he
can write his own letters" she says de-
cidedly.
Flo doubts in her heart whether Tom
will grow up truer man than his
father. even though he may be able to
write his own letters.
"Thls, I believe, is the hour for
/ Trot's geography lesson, continues
| Mrs. Smith somewhat severely; $50
perhaps you will he kind enough to
say what You have to say quickly, Miss
Brymer.
81 will be as concise as possible, Mrs.
] Smith. L"
"Fitz-Maurice Smith. if you pease. )"
81 really beg PARDON" says Flo peni-
tently.
Mrs. Smith draws her shawl around
her shoulders more closely, with great
dignity of action.
81 only wished to say" continues
Flo, after moments pause, "that as
soon as You can make arrangements
with some other governess, | should
like TO leave"
For some time Mrs. Smith stares at
the girl in feigned surprise; then she
demands resentfuhy-
"What have you to complain of, Miss
Brymer? Why do you wish to resign
your post?"
81 never care to make complaints"
answers Flo, with somewhat provok-
ing smile playing around the corners Of
her mouth. 81 merely come to say
shat am anxious to leave"
"Then allow-me to tell you that 1
! consider your conduct disgraceful, and,
if you apply to me for reference, l
shall not fail to expose your discredit-
able conduct leaving me without an
aSsignable reason for so doing!"
81 shall not trouble you for refer
ence," replies Flo. her cheeks pink at
the insolent tone adopted. Besides"
she continues, in an undertone, 81 have
very good reason for my conduct"
Name them!" erie: Mrs. Smith in
stentorian tones. She is inexpressibly
annoyed to see so good and well-olled
machine as Flo has proved herself dur
| ing the past two days slipping out OF
/ her hands.
"You allow me to exercise no author
lty over my pupils, and l find it impos-
slble to instruct them properly without
a certain amount Of order and discip-
line"
"Do you imagine, Miss Brymer, that
| would allow you or any woman to
ill-treat my treasuresP"
An irrepresslble smile breaks over
Flo's features as she makes answer
81 do not think, Mrs. Smith, that
YOUR children have bad dispositions.
| IlI-treatment, 1 am sure, would be
quite unnecessary; but they need to
learn the meaning of the word 'obedi-
ence.'n
(which means total destruction of
their joyous innocent naturesl" exclalms
the lady excitedly. "No. Miss Brymer
il YOU cannot rule them with love, you
shall never rule them with the rod.
You must leave"
sYes,n n'answers Flo readily, rising
from her chair. Il shall do the very
best for the children until you are suit
ed."
"Of course,n calculates Mrs. Smith
anprlly; then she watches Flo trip
briskly across the room.
s'Oh, Miss Bfymerl''
"Yes. Mrs, Fltz-Maurice Smith,"
answers Flo, pausing at the door.
"You may have heard that 1 am 60
ing to give dance tomorrow even
ing"
Eyes" says Flo wonderingly.
"I shall wish you to appear during
the evening""
swish me to appearl" echoes Flo,
with some dim foreboding that she ls
being called on to enact 'medium."
"Ycs, 1 always have my governess
nresent at any entertainment that L
give: it shows that keep one"
"Oh, am to come down to morrow
eyeniner' muses. Flo aloud; ;.then she
continues, in an annoyed voice, u
would much rather keep in the school
ROOM"
Mrs. Smith, unused to such rebellion
stares hard.
"Did you not hear me say,' She re-
marks crushingly, "that l choose you
to be there?"
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