San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-06-20

LOVE VS.. DISCIPLINE.

AlO ~ Ps bApNih ASilN lie
II was evening In tho gloomy old fash
ioned kitchen Of Farmer Grey. Tho
green paper curtains. covered with pict-
ures Of impossible scenery and strange
grotesquo figures, wcro lowered, shutting
out tho whito moonlight as II lay upon
the snow covered fields lllo glittering
crystals.
Great logs OF oak and cedar filled tho
wide fireplace, casting ruddy, cheerful
glow around tho room; an Angora cat
lay basking In tho bright freight, while
upon tho opposite sido Of tho hearth,
stretched at full length, lay great New
foundland dog; tho yellow painted floor
was clean rs hands could mako II, and
altogether the room presented sceno Of
rural comfort not TO be despised.
Tho farmer sat In his easy chair. deep
In meditation, with his eyes hstened
upon the fire. while tho busy housewife,
with deft fingers, piled tho knitting
needles, and glanced occasionally at the
couple seated at tho table busy with
their books. 1t was their daughter and
tho district school teacher.
Faith Grey was IN only child, and
from the tlmo when sho first began TO
talk had ruled her loving subjects In the
little kingdom Of homo with absolute
sway. She was now II years Of age,
with laughing brown eyes and waving
auburn hair, that rippled and shono
with touch Of gold In Its soft meshes
when sho faced tho sun. Her com.
plexion was fair and puro rs an apple
blossom. Her dress was simple brown
merino, with a plain white collar fas-
tened at tho 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 perceptiblo In every move
ment Of her graceful form.
Her companion was apparently 20
years Of ago, with q broad white brow
and dark hair, which clustered In little
ringlets about his forehead; his eyes
were black and penetrating; tho grave,
firm mouth betokened indomitable will
and strength of character; his face was
smooth, and his large, well made form
was arrayed In suit Of plain black. he
was college educated, and while waiting
for situation had learned that he could
have tho winter school In this district to
teach, and being poor, had accepted It
rather than remain idle until q 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 1t was
known far and near. Only the winter
before the scholars had chosen to give
the teacher a seat in snowdrift, and
and then entering tho school room had
held high carnival, laughing and jeering
ut him rs 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
Dr. die. 1t was u school Of fifty scholars,
ranging from four to twenty years Of
lge. A mixed assembly, some good,
,ome bad, and somo neither the ono nor
he other, but ready to join the strongest
party.
He was obliged to board around, and
Is he was exceedingly particular and fas-
idious in all his personal affairs, some
which he was obliged to mako
we're laughable in the extreme. He chose
he place farthest from his school for his
lrst boarding place, and as he took his
eat at tho supper table he glanced ap-
,alled at tho view which tho board pre-
ented The dishes were cracked and
,riiny, and the supper was composed Of
dish Of potatoes, familiarly known
mong the country people as tho 'long
ohns." Gigantic In size, they lay black
nd heavy upon the dirty plate, Hanked
y deep yellow dish. two-thirds full of
'ork fat, while slices Of tho pork, fried
o cindcr, noated upon the top. A
late of bread, with leaden strip at the
ottom of each slice, and q small piece Of
utter composed Of alternate stripes Of
,hite and yellow, completed the viands.
He crushed down tho rising feeling Of
isgust and made no sign, even when
no young son, boy Of 10 years Of age,
sized one Of the potatoes In his dirty,
nwashed hands. and, squeezing II, ex-
laimed: "Dlarm, this ere 'tater Amt
one." and laying It down coolly repeat
! the operation with tho rest.
This was sample Of the meals which
e was compelled to partako Of while he
aged at his first boarding place, but he
'as more fortunate In his next selection.
was at Farmer Grey's. and Mrs. Grey
as noted housewife. Faith was one
his hardest pupils to manage. Never
ping any mischief which he could trace
Irectly to her. yet, by some unaccount-
Die influence, he was sure that she In
lced tho rest 10 ant I'm direct defiance of
Is authority, and when detected her
Tn face would be as demure and inno-
mt looking as that Of kitten.
She was q ready and apt scholar, and
emed really delighted with tho oppor-
mites Of learning which tho talented
Jung master placed within tho reach Of
L He was possessed OF a vast fund Of
neral information, and he gave 10
EN- without measure and without
Int lie was kind and gentle. but in
~ truth they found him master-an
II Faith
AZ the days Heightened into weeks an
squiet spirit appeared 10 enter into the
II and sbe seemed almost boldly de-
mt With exceeding patience and
the master bore with al her
eAks. and although sorely tried be en-
By gentle. winning kindDesS,
bring her 10 see the great wrong she I
a. dnin1 herself ana him But d was