Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-11-01

! Commencement was drawing to a close.
| The audience, which was large, had
| listened and applauded, and tossed flow
ers, and vigorously famed itself for
nearly two hours. The graduates had
read their essays, and the chairman of
the school board had presented their di-
plomas and made short address.
Now it was the turn of the young mas
ter, and the audience gave him little
round of cheers as he rose to speak the
parting words to the graduates. For
Phil Cakes was certain to say something
worth hearing.
So he did. The conventional senti-
ments about the voyage of life and the
port of success were for once neglected.
The young masters speech, was short,
but good terse, but bright and interest
ing and amusing.
Amy looked and listened.
She was with her brother and sister
in law, and she was rather in doubt as to
the thing she intended doing; but she
did not falter.
How nice he looked! And his bright
eyes were turned toward her more than
once And she had determined to do it
if it was eccentric.
She grasped firmly the handsome nose
gay of flowers she had carefully arranged,
red and white and yellow roses, with a
border of delicate ferns, and as the young
master bowed, amid sincere applause, she
threw it with vigor directly at him.
There was a general laugh at the novel
feature, and then a spreading "Ahm of
CONSERVATION.
The big bunch had hit the rather rick
ETY. lamp on the organ and knocked it to
the floor. There was the expected crash
of breaking glass; but worse, there was
burst of flame. The oil had caught
fire.
Of course there was a panic. Even
men, in their first fright, pushed to-
ward the door. Women screamed and
children cried.
Everybody was certain that the build
ing would burn, and there was a general
rush and hubbub.
But Amy stood still. Her sster-in-law
had grown almost hysterical, and her
brother had borne her out, and called to
Amy to follow.
But she did not She stood notion
less and watched one figure on the plat
form.
Phil Cakes had snatched up the carpet
from the temporary platform, and was
valiantly smothering the flames.
Amy waited. She had done it! If he
was badly burned-if he was smothered
it would be her fault-hersi And
how differently she had meant it! She
had been foolish, but surely she did not
deserve that her foolishness should I've to
his injury.
The time she stood miserably waiting
waiting till he should see and come to
her, as she knew he would (for he must
know from whom that bouquet had Gomez
the time seemed endless.
When he came, white faced but smiling,
the tears rushed TO her anxious eyes.
II was such goose!" she said, ''What
made me do it? You are burned-both
YOUR hands-and l did it,
ssNo, no. A small burn or two
! nothing!" said the schoolmaster, looking
handsome as he bent toward her. ''DOn'1
think it! have your flowers, and they
were worth it! Are you alone? Let me
take you home"
She took his arm. He was not much
hurt, and he held Der flowers tightly IL
his hand, and they were going out into
the cool night together, and she was
almost glad.
For otherwise she would be going
home with John md Margaret.
my sister-in-law was hysterical Will
fright, ;" said Amy, laughing and half-cry
inc together, and almost hysterical her
self. s.And my brother took her home
He told me to come, but I"
Your brother?' said Mr.. Cakes.
eyes"