The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-06-29

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UAe farmer sat in his easy chair,
TFklN meditation, with his eve,
iHenedupOn the fire, while the busy
hqsewlh, with deft fingers, piled
III Knitting needles. and glanced
oceionaliy at the couple seated at
thebie busy with their books. 1t
Washeir daughter and the district
schq teacher.
fih Grey was an only child. and
iromhe time when she first began
10 ia had ruled her loving subjects
In thlittle kingdom of home with
aosole sway. She was now II years
OF with laughing brown eyes
and wing auburn hair, that rip
pied al shone with a touch of gold
In its st meshes when she faced the
sun. .er complexion was fair and
pure aan apple blossom. Her dress
was anple brown merino, with a
plain hite collar fastened at the
throat ~ blue ribbon, while
streamel of the same azure hue con-
fined tn meshes of waving hair.
She was tall and slender, with a
supple, Wllowy grace perceptible in
every mvement of her graceful
form.
II Her companion was apparently %
years of ale, with broad white
brow and dark hair. which clustered
p little rinslets about his forehead ;
his eyes were black and penetrating !;
tF grave, firm mouth betokened in
dGiitable will and strength of char
aeer; his face was smooth, and his
lafSe, well made form was arrayed
" Asait--af- plain black. He was
dlege educated. and while waiting
70 a situation had learned that he
Geld have the winter school in this
dtrict to teach, and being poor. had
aeepted it rather than remain idle
util more eligible one presented
italf. He was far from despising
snail beginnings.
lie well knew that the school bore
menviable reputation, for by report
twas known far and near. Only
th winter before the scholars had
cbsen to give the teacher a seat in a
spwdrift, and then entering the
soool room had held high carnival,
laghing and jeering at him as he
tTed in vain to enter, and in despair
HI had turned his back upon the
sdool and the town. He well knew
that it was no light task which he
hid undertaken, but only tighter
cbsing of the firm lips was visible
vas he accepted the trust, and silent.
lyowed to conquer or die. 1t was
school of fifty scholars, ranging
fOm four to twenty years of age. A
mixed assembly, some good, some
hid, and some neither the one mol
tie other. but ready to join the
Strongest party.
He was obliged to board around
ald as he was exceedingly particular
and fastidious in all his persona
afairs, some encounters which hi
vas obliged to make were laughablt
il the extreme. He chose the place
| frthest from his school for his frs
harding place, and as he took hi
sat at the supper table he glanced
appalled, at the view which the boar(
presented. The dishes were cracked
and grimy, and the supper was com
posed of a dish of potatoes, familiarl,
known among the country people a
the "long Johns" Gigantic In size
they lay black and heavy upon th
dirty plate, flanked by deep yelloS
dish, two-thirds full of pork fal
while slices of the pork, lg.ed to
cinder. foated upon the top. A plat
OF bread, with a leaden strip at TN
bottom of each slice, and sma
piece of butter composed of alternat
stripes of white and yellow, con
pleted the viands.
He crushed down the rising feelin
OF disgust and made no sign, eve
when the young son. a boy of l
years of age. seized one of the pot;
toes in his dirty, unwashed hand
and. squeezing it, exclaimed
"Marm, this 'ere 'tater amt done,
and laying it down coolly repeate
the operation with the rest.
This was a sample of his mea