The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-04-06


two. And she's engaged to an officer in
the army, although she thinks ] don't
know it. And Kate is twenty, and she's
going TO set her cap for the new principal
of the school, At least she says so She's
tired of making over old gowns, and dye
ing old ribbon, and keeping genteel board.
ers. | don't envy the principal Of the
school," Chrissy added, giving old jerks
an admonitory touch with the whip, as he
showed an undue inclination TO sidle to-
ward the entrance of Bowery Lane. 'Kate
has got an awful temper. She flew into
passion and boxed my ears just before |
started
''Boxed your ears!' repeated the strang-
er, depressing strong inclination to laugh.
"Why, how old are you?"
"I'm sixteen and half.r said Chrissy,
almost wishing she had not told this Incl
dent, as the crimson flush rose up to the
very roots of her hair. fsAnd she oughtn't
to treat me like child! | wish she would
get married and go away. | should be a
deal happier without her. Oh, oh. there
comes load of barrelsl Old jerks is aw-
fully afraid of load of barrels He al
ways SHES when he sees one.
'sLet me take the reins, " suggested her
passenger.
And presently, under his charge. old
jerks, who, to do him justice, had eyineed
no particular emotion OF any sort, was en-
gineered safely past the fearful object.
And then Chrissy pointed ont the vari-
ghost that was said to walk in old Squire
Harris deserted house, showed him the
place where a fox was shot in the spring,
and confided to him where to go if he
wanted to find the finest nutting copses
of the vicinity.
And while she was enlarging on these
subjects, old jerks stopped sleepiy at the
front gate of the pretty Blessington cot
tage.
Al the Morefeld heads were at the win
dow Mrs Morefield, Jeanette Morefield
Susanna Morefield, and the married Miss
Morefield, whose present name was Mrs.
Josiah Stubbs
''Bless mef' said Mrs Stubs, in stage
whisper, what a very genteel young
man.
'It's the city boarder,' explained Mrs.
BlessiDgton, between the twinges of her
neuralgia. "Doctor Buffer recommended
him here for pure country air He's just
up from malaria fever, and needs change,
and Doctor Buffer-dear, good man,
knew how we were situated, and that We
had nice front room to spare"
''Humphr' commented Mrs. Morefeld-
'.He doesn't look much like sick man.
While Kate ran out to open the door, all
smiles and freshly tied pink ribbons.
SIS 1t Mr.. Dorrance?" she said. Il am
Miss Blessington' with her most engag-
ing air of welcome. t'Please walk in.
hope you haven't been very much tired by
the journey
cts Kate, whispered Chrissy, Suddenly
overcome by pangs Of conjunction,
Don't let her know | told you about her
temper
81 am afraid there is some mistake. -
said the gentleman, pansing in the very act
OF taking his valise out Of the wagon.
"My name is not Dorrapce. And | was
going TO Mr.. Falkner's place, where
have engaged board for the winter.
am John Wilder. the principal of the
Graded School"
Chrissy dropped the reins, jumped out
of the wagon and ran to hide herself in the
hay mows of the barn.
The Morefields stared harder than ever
Kate Blessington looked infinitely pnzzl-
ed.
"Dear mer' said she; its one OF
Christmas blunder's. We were very
foolish to have trusted her. Do come
in, Mr.. Wilder''-wi it'll a still more win
some smile-''and rest yourself, AMI have
some tea. We are all anxiety TO become
acquainted with our new principal. Pete,
Pete, don't unharness the horse! Go right
back To the depot Mr.. Dorrance mast be
waiting there yet.
But Mr. Wilder, with curious express
sion of the mouth aud eyes, declined Miss
Blessington's invitation.
He would go Immediately TO Mr.. Falk-
ners, he said, if they would be good
enough to tell him in what direction it
was.
Aud so he bowed himself away
An hour or SO afterward, the depot
wagon from Smileybridge, the next station
above, brought Mr.. Dorrance, withered
little old man, who wore a wig aud walked
with gold cane.
"There wasn't anyone at the lower depot
to meet me, " said he 'sAnd | was told |
could get hack at Smileybridge, two
miles further on; and I'm no walker, so |
just stepped back into the train; so here |
ami And I'd like my tea at six o'clock, if
you please, and rye bread and baked APP
pies with it. For | haven't got back my
digestion yet, and the doctor is very partie
ular about my diet. y
Chrissy Blessington was very silent and
dispirited when she made her appearance
in the graduating class of the graded
school at the opening Of the fall term, and
she scarcely ventured TO look at Mr.. Wild