The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-05-19

John Jacobs was more enthusiastic
than any other man on the subject Of
school. Marie Jacobs was one of my
scholars. and partaking Of the nature
of her father. was one OF the most stu
dious Of pupils. She was enthusiastic.
though somewhat inclined TO be- shy.
and MANY were the hours that sat 10y
the fire and repeated the names in
English of the different articles about
the room While / did this. Marie
would say the name after me. mimick-
ing my very tone. never satisfied unless
gavo the much valued nod OF approx
nj. Thus matters went on. the winter.
which at first seemed TO me would be a
long lonesome season. was half over.
John played the violin. every man,
woman and child. too. for that matter.
IN the settlement danced. Marie waltzed
and she taught "thc MASTER" as they
all called me.
The da passed. the weeks flew by
and months rapidly drew to close
months which marked the tine l had
been engaged to stay. Only two more
were left at the end OF which time it
was 10 be presumed ! would gladly
return TO the parents had left among
the northern pne-clad hills. No such
feeling OF deliverance was mine. 1t
was rather with pang of pain that |
contemplated the short time that lay
between me and tho time when /
should say goodbye to these people.
whom / had come to regard with
honest admiration as embodying tho
true principles Of self-governing indie
pendcnce. And Mariel Would / never
hear her gentle half-abashed words of
broken English againP These thoughts
did not long remain at first but as the
time of my departure drew nearer they
occupied more of my mind.
The mention OF my mothers name
one evening few weeks before the
time | was 10 leave them. caused Marie.
] fancied. to glance quickly at me.
then. letting her eyes fall to the floor.
in a low tone. which hoped was as
sumed to keep back the anxiety she
really felt, she sad:
when VIII you see your motherp'
cit may bc long time" replied
which considering the fact that ! had
but few weeks more to stnt on the
island. may be put down by the
worlds great critics IL they please. MS
n specimen OF lovers logic | imagined
that Marie was happier then--but
maybe not II is poss BILE that what
th nix is sol citude for my whereabouts
is simply fear that she will lose the
instruction which she so much prizes.
Thus allowed my self to- be tangled
in the net of love, woven of golden
hair Eight, but strong.
Were | not her master. ! could say
whether it was for me she cared. or
simply for the lessons had given her.
AT last resolved to go to my home
and not let little Marie know how bad.
IL II made me feel TO leave her and the
beautiful island. nor how / had enjoyed
teaching her the words IL was now
such a pleasure for me To hear from
her lips. Then. again. this seemed
like cowardice. for i believed she
might have the same regret at our
parting AS myself.
The days passed on, and the next
was 10 be- the last of school, and still
mad refraned from saving anything in
regard to what would do, whether re-
turn to my homo or still stay Oh the
island.
"You will go home tomorrow. mas
terp"
II was Marie. She had seen me sit
ting on the rustic seat beside the door.
and imagined / was thinking OF rela-
tives and friends whom | soon would
sec
"Shall 60. Marlcp"
Only four little words. vet TO Marie
aud they meant more than pages of
our lives histories.
mol nor
She laid her plump little hand upon
my sleeve rs she spoke. ms IL To- detan
me. took tho hand between mine
and kissed t---not the kiss of master
to a deserving pupil. but n lovers k IS
the first
did not say that / would stay,
Marie had not asked me to stay. she
had simply assured mo OF what had
already known that she would rather
would stay. but what assurance had
that she cared for me in particular.
None. except that little tremulous mo.