The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-06-21
LOVE VS.. DISCIPLINE.

1t was evening in the gloomy old fash
ioned kitchen of Farmer Grey. The
green paper curtains, covered with pict-
ures of impossible scenery and strange
grotesque figures, were lowered, shutting
out the white moonlight as 1t lay upon
the snow covered fields like glittering
crystals.
Great logs of oak and cedar filed the
wide fireplace, casting ruddy, cheerful
glow around the room; an Angora cat
lay basking in the bright freight, while
upon the opposite side of the hearth,
stretched at full length, lay great New
foundland dog; the yellow painted floor
was clean as hands could make it, and
altogether the room presented scene of
rural comfort not to be despised.
The farmer sat in his easy chair, deep
In meditation, with his eyes fastened
upon the fire, while the busy housewife,
with deft fingers, piled the knitting
needles, and glanced occasionally at the
couple seated at the table busy with
their books. 1t was their daughter and
the district school teacher.
Faith Grey was an only child, and
from the time when she first began to
talk had ruled her loving subjects in the
little kingdom of home with absolute
sway. She was now II years of age,
with laughing brown eyes and waving
auburn hair, that rippled aud shone
with IA touch of gold in its soft meshes
when she faced the sun. Her COM
plexion was fair and pure as an apple
blossom. Her dress was a simple brown
merino, with a plain white collar fas-
tened at the throat by blue ribbon,
while streamers of the same azure hue
confined the meshes of waving hair.
She was tall and slender, with supple,
willowy grace perceptible in every move
ment Of her graceful form.
Her companion was apparently 25
years of age, with broad white brow
and dark hair, which clustered in little
ringlets about his forehead; his eyes
were black and penetrating; the grave,
firm mouth betokened indomitable will
and strength of character; his face was
smooth, and his large, well made form
was arrayed in a suit of plain black. He
was college educated, and while waiting
for situation had learned that he could
have the winter school In this district to
teach, and being poor, had accepted it
rather than remain idle until a more
eligible one presented itself. He was far
from despising small beginnings.
He well knew that the school bore no
enviable reputation, for by report it was
known far and near. Only the winter
before the scholars had chosen to give
the teacher seat in snowdrift, and
and then entering the school room had
held high carnival, laughing and jeering
at him as he tried in vain to enter, and
in despair he had turned his back upon
the school and the town. He well knew
that it was no light task which he had
undertaken, but only tighter closing of
the firm lips was visible as he accepted
the trust, and silently vowed to conquer
or die. 1t was a school of fifty scholars,
ranging from four to twenty years of
age. A mixed assembly some good,
some bad, and some neither the one nor
the other, but ready to join the strongest
party.
He was obliged to board around, and
as he was exceedingly particular and fas-
encounters which he was obliged to make
were laughable in the extreme. He chose
the place farthest from his school for his
first boarding place, and as he took his
seat at the supper table he glanced ap-
palled at the view which the board pre-
sented. The dishes were cracked and
grimy, and the supper was composed of
a dish of potatoes, familiarly known
among the country people as the "long
Johns" Gigantic in size, they lay black
and heavy upon the dirty plate, fanked
by deep yellow dish, two-thirds full of
pork fat, while slices of the pork, fried
to cinder, floated upon the top. A
plate of bread, with leaden strip at the
bottom of each slice, and a small piece of
butter composed of alternate stripes of
white and yellow, completed the viands.
He crushed down the rising feeling of
disgust and made no sign, even when
the young son, boy of 10 years of age,
seized one of the potatoes in his dirty,
unwashed hands, and, squeezing 1t, ex-
claimed: "Marm, this ere 'tater amt
done" and laying it down coolly repeat
ed the operation with the rest
This was sample of the meals which
he was compelled to partake of while he
stayed at his first boarding place, but he
was more fortunate in his next selection.
1t was at Farmer Greys, and Mrs Grey
was a noted housewife. Faith was one
of his hardest pupils to manage. Never
doing any mischief which he could trace
directly to her, yet, by some unaccount-
able influence, he was sure that she in
duced the rest to act in direct defiance of
his authority, and when detected her
own face would be as demure and inno-
cent looking as that of a kitten.
She was a ready and apt scholar, and
seemed really delighted with the oppor-
tunities of learning which the talented
young master placed within the reach of
all. He was possessed of vast fund of
general information, and he gave to
them without measure and without
stint. He was kind and gentle, but in
very truth they found him master-all
but Faith.
AS the days heightened into weeks an
unquiet spirit appeared TO enter into the
girl, and she seemed almost boldly de-
fanS. With exceeding patience and
gentleness the master bore with all her
freaks, and although sorely tried he en-
deavored, by gentle, winning kindness,
70 bring her to see the great wrong she
was doing herself and him, But it was
of no avail; the more he tried the more
he might try, and the dancing brown
eyes shot forth angry sparks as at last he
passed her most daring pranks by in alb
solute silence.
However, the crisis came at last. AT
the noon recess one of the Oldest scholars,
ayouth of 10, had tried to steal her hand
kerchief in fun 1t was a dainty affair,
made Of lace and muslin, a present from
her cousin In the city. Faith had reso-
lutely declined all such advances, but in
the afternoon she reached across the
aisle and laid ii upon the open leaves OF
the book where he was studying, With
a graceful Low he acknowledged the
gift, and raised 1t to his lips, when lol a
tiny dead mouse dropped from its folds,
and t.,.ttra..aal s,ts..,la Il.