Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-03-19


"Now for me it is most excellent mis-
chance. OF all things in the world |
revere the burned crust of pie. have
hesltated to declare this prediction, be-
cause know it is remarkable one. and
not at all likely to be shared by the ma
iority of people; but fortune has favored
me to-day. Mrs. Sweet, let us have the
pie by all means"
And he actually lifted the horrible
black thing to the table. and ate t-yes
he ate (which was the most graceful
piece of martyrdom ever saw in man.
And then got courage to tell him how |
burned it; that Mrs. Chapel must have
that dress. and the machine had begun to
squeak in the most horrible way: that
I'd oiled it and fused with it all to no
purpose. and how | was to finish that
dress of Mrs. Chappel's with the dread
full noise distracting my poor brain, |
didn't know.
"We'll look at it, he said. in that rest
ing, comforting, soul-cheering way of
his, and as followed him into the sitting
room, knew in my heart that he would
exercise that squeaking demon from the
machine. And he did.
cts the ball" he said; ''it's become
smooth from friction, and if you'll bring
me a little flour or meal, Mrs. Sweet
stay. here is piece of chalk, which is
better than ALL"
And with that little white lump that
he took from his waistcoat pocket, he
made the machine perfect in five-in two
minutes.
Now. how could help watching him
from the door again. as he walked away
to school: and let his coat tails flap as
they may. or be knock-kneed to eternity.
how could help sending after him my
heartiest benediction and blessing:
And can it be wondered at that when
only two or three months after he was
going away. | was like one stunned and
bewldered? We We're sitting in the little
front room and was finishing off that
diagonal overskirt for Mrs. Chapel
Charley had gone hunting to the woods,
for it was already autumn, and an early
frost had set the leaves aflame. \ breeze
from the West blew my hair into my
eyes, and put it back with trembling
hand. The soft warm day of golden
light suddenly seemed to cloud over and
become one of moody sadness.
81 have an opportunity for advance
ment in my profession" he said, ''whicl
it would i'll behoove me to put by. II
my native town is offered me a position
of trust and confidence. no less. may
say to YOU. dear madam. than profess.
Or's chair
! hadn't the least idea what he meant
| knew that one chair differed very mucl
from another. and whereas one was com
Portable. easy. enjoyable. another might
be for the time being seat of torture. bu
wherein a professors chair eNcelled
could not at that time imagine. | sal
quite still and the ruille fell from my
hand: my foot rested upon the treadle o
the machine. and | sat and stared at Mr.
Sladc like one dementcd.
"And it has occurred to me. he Went
on. "that the position | have held here
which is an exceedingly easy and pleas
ant one. might protitably and suitably b,
filled by one of the other sex: the dutie,
are not at all arduouS. and could be
performed more readily. it appears Il
me, than those pertaining to the needle
have spoken to the committee in YOU
behalf, and with Il little attention upon
your part to the simple mechanical re
quircments necessary. and Il little hell
upon mine. you will be ready to fill th'
position at once"
"Who? /, Mr.. Shade: Why, you mus
be crazy"
Then, feeling that this was not re
spectful way to speak, | added that hi
my capabilities.
"Why, Mr.. Slade," said |, IL never go
beyond the four rules in arithmetic"
"And upon these depend everything,
he replied. ''Come, put by your work
and let us see what we can do for Il frs
attempt"
+ 1t was of no use to refuse. His wa
one of those material natures that Away
t conquer. Half an hour after was sit
ting close by his side at the table. witt
= Charley's slate under my blurred eye
= and Charley's pencil in my trembling fin
} gers. The rosy evening light streame
! upon us, the soft south wind bringing
: resinous odors through the windows frol
2 the wood where Charley yet fingered.
= "Now, my dear Mrs. Sweet" said MI
l Slade, and the very gentleness of his tone
t the tender rendering of my name, mad
= me shver and shake, for | could not &c
4 the thought out of my head that when h
was gone there was nobody left To dea
D tenderly with me or mine "now pray IT
: and give your thoughts to the subject i
+, hand. 1t is the simplest thing in tn
"a world and these rulimpnts once cOuuuel