The Russellville Democrat., 1888-12-20

tue SupCEC3HlOuS N1lldg6 htnR IQlRlb h. crease the yearly stipend he received for a salary; and he was between hope and fear as to whether the chairman's hand some daughter, the belle of the village, had taken exception to a Christmas token he had sent her that afternoon by her lit- tie brother.
 Dorothy Flint's nature was as much in direct opposition to her name as her fathers was Tn keeping with 1t While she was dutiful and afTectionate daughter, she had a mind of her own and a keen perception of the right and many of her fathers transactions It grieved her deeply that her father should be 80 merciless and hard hearted toward every one save her self; for it certainly was a fact that he was utterly indifferent to every one alike, and, with the exception of his handsome Dot, no one could exort the slightest infiu enee over him.
 Dots little brother brought home the Christmas present for her intrusted him by the schoolmaster, and as Dot was not in the house, he opened it, as he said, ito see if it's better'n miue.n
 It was merely volume of poems, nicely bound in blue and gold, and on the fy-leaf was inscribed:
 ITO Mss DOROTHY FLINT: With best Christmas wishes Of the gver, JoB P1PPIN.'
 Old "Mayorn Flint howled worse than the wind howled around the ruins of the deserted farm house that Job passed as he toiled through the snow. He was not much of hand at writing; but, after rolling his tongue over the outside of his stubble-bearded lips for a few minutes, during which time he twisted his head into positions which would make it almost impossible for ready writer to see what he was inditing, he produced the follow ing note;
 "OLp GoG-Dsar Sir: beg leave tu give yew the balunts dew yew for skool teach m ter dait and trus, yeH ken dew better at it sum- mers else ez I hev desided tu fourgo your sarvices eZ teachur.
 Tore obedyuut Sarvlnt
 EZRA ERAsTUs FLINT,
 Mayer Of Ciderburg."
 This being done he placed it in an en- velope, reted the volume, then inserted the letter beneath the strings that bound the package and sent his boy to summon Job to the house.
 'Mayor' Flint was at heart timid man, and after sending his boy on the errand he repcntet not having had him carry the volume and letter IS well. He foresaw trouble m the village, for Cog" was well liked and the villagers had voice them. selves regarding who should be school master He could not tell, either to Job or the villagers, the true reason for the dismissal; neither could he make a truthful explanation to Dot, for he feared she might demand the pedagogue's rein statement, as she was always singing praises of his kindness toward his little pupils
 It irritated the naturally turbulent des- pot to think that the poor schoolmaster had dared to lift his eyes toward Dot. But he knew little Of the teachers strength of character. The mute Christmas token was the only evidence he would have given to indicate that the poor and hu mble mentor of the district school entertained toward the r.ch mans daughter any other feeling than that of the most profound rev ereuce and loyal respect.
 Mayor" Flint decided to be absent when Job should arrive and be left orders that the parcel on the center-table should be handed the schoolmaster
 Job puffed and blowed and kicked so hard on the scraper outside the magnate's front door, that he was heard long before be attempted to ring the bell. As he WAS about to ring, the door opened softly and Dot held out a hand of welcome that so an electric thrill through the schoolma ters system when her litt!e fnger-ti
  lchabOd Crane in appearance, but his ma nors were those of polished member the intellectual and refined grade in soc ety. aver which money Is without ipAl encs; co, externally, he appeared entirel at ease in Dots company yet if the trut .. was known, hls heart Was iuttering be-s meath his vest like a cagei bird " Here is Chr stmas present, Job, l made for you mvse'f,' said Dot, handing him a parcel he stood ready to depart "You must not open it until you hear the Christmas chimes at midnight O, l al- most forgot that Father left it for you" she added by the way of explanation. II presume it may contain another Christ mas remembrance,
 As she took the volume from the table, Job watched her beautiful face, and when their eyes next mot his own told of his smotherad passion as plainly as if he had spoken. She trcmblel, blushed and hung her head as she Inuoceutly preferred the package addressed 70 hm by her father.
 Job glanced at the package and started a- he recognized the volume through it's torn wrapper
 Mechanically he received tGe book, but it fell from his nerve.ess grasp. He es- saycd to speak, aud n 5 tongue refused it's function. Wlth one parting glance he t0ttered through the doorway and along the path leading to the road, where he caught glimpse of tho mayors scoWling face as the moon shone on a window in the second story Of the house.
 He walked with head cast down, neither looking to the right nor the left He was dazcd He was like one whose reason was clouded If her eyes spoke the truth--but no, his Christmas token Why did sue return it if such the easel And yet no, he had even Ao right to th ink that IL might have b3en natural embarrassment through feaD of wouaiing his feelings by the return of the book.
 "Hellow, Gog" exclaimed a familiar voice, as thop3th was blocked by form that was irrec0ga gable beneath ita great coat and heavy muller Hyer's a letter Inr Eer ] Rot outer LAa nual-nlils FOL uue