Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-11-05
waited by the Dev mistress. They avoided

waited by the new mistress. They avoide
each other, as if by mutual consent.
1t happened that one afternoon in earl
summer Miss Grayling had gone up to th
Mount Farm, by invitation, to drink te
with Miss Sowerbutts. 1t was Thursda
"a day when the farmer always atteude
market at the neighborlpg town of Groby
81 must make haste and get home befor
dark" said Miss Grayling, as the day bs
gan to close: and she went up to put on be
bonnet. The operation, however. too
some little time. as it was diversified by a
exhibition of Miss Sowerbutts's mother
wedding dress, and various other pieces E
raiment of quite remote antiquity, in e
of which Miss Grayling took keen Interest
81 declare it's getting quite dark" Ok
claimed the schoolmistress at last, as sh
threw on her hat in a great hurry and wen
down stairs with her hostess. Arrived j
the garden, however, it was i'm possible t
go without morsel of Mrs. Sowerbntts'
delicious sweet briar; the peas, too. we're i
most interesting state of development
and by the time they had been duly admit
ed the faImer's burly form vas seen slowl
advancing between the hedge-rows, born
onward by his gig and his good mare jest
Certainly Miss Grayliug looked prett
figure as she stood at the porch of the farm
house shaking hauds with its mistress
"Well, Miss, and how are YEP" said MI
Sowerbutts, with very red face, as b
leaned out of the gig to shake hands will
his sisters visitor.
"Very we'll, thank you. But / must sa
good evening. really must get home be
fore dark"
"What's the need for thata Jess and
mum seen thee home"
''Oh, po, no! I couldn't think of such
thing. You must be 30 tired, and the poo
horse, too. Good-by." And Miss Graylin
took hasty farewell of her friend and raj
down the roadway with the prettiest littl
steps in the word.
Meantime Mr.. Sowerbutts was slowl!
turning round the unwilling Jess.
tBut, John, the mare will be overdone
She can find her way home. Or I'll sen,
Jacob with her," said Miss Sowerbntts, re
grettiug in her heart that she had ever in
vited the schoOlmistress to the farm.
To this John made TO reply, and having
succeeded in turning the horse and gig b,
speedily overlook Miss Grayling, who wa
walking on ahead in the most determined
manner
"Whoal who.a!'' cried Mr.. Sowerbutts t.
the mare. ''Now, Miss. will ZEE get imp
And he held back the apron as he spoke.
"Really can't-I can't take you back tt
Pnddington after your journey;;'' and Miss
GrayIipg stood hesitating. mo-" she sale
more firmly as Mr.. Sowerbutts only sat anG
looked at her without speaking; ''there il
really DO necessity for it."
''If ask ye to come I mean it," said the
fa Tan, tobo II favor ,,
"Oa, if you put it so politely, / shall be
very happy" said Miss GrayliDg, as she
held up her little gloved hand and was
hoisted into the gig.
1t was, after all, only mile and half to
the village. For the first minute nothing
was said.
You plays that there 'armonium in
church beautiful" said Mr.. Sowerbutts, at
ength.
Miss Grayling laughed and turned her
smiling face upon her companion.
''Do ycu think so2 I'm not so sure of that
said she.
"Beautiful!" responded Mr.. Sowerbutts,
with emphasis. sand settin' there, in the
chancel, with, the red window shining on
yer 'ead. you look like saint in gloryW
"Oh, Mr.. Sowerbuttsl you really should
not be 50 very complimentary" said Miss
3rayling, TRANQUILITY. Sand now tell me
how thiHgs went at market to day."
The conversation thus took more pro-
'aic turn. and Miss Crawling evinced the
deepest interest in the price of hay, calves,
Ind other agricultural topics. until they
cached the cottage in which she lived.
CHAPTER III.
The Government inspection was always
me of the events of the year at Little Pud-
lington. 1t generally took place 10 the end
# August. The Inspector was an elderly.
gentleman, whose proper name was Chris
opher Wensby, but whose ordinary name
mong the teachers of his district was "The
Valrus," from the fact that his bald fore
lead and white moustache pointing down
vard in a straight line on each side of his
mouth gave him decided resemblance to
bat creature. Report stated that Mr..
Nensby and Miss Jordan had had tender,
II semi tender, passages at some remote
pooh. At any rate they were very good
riends; and Mr.. Wensby always dined at
he rectory once a year, when his tolls in
he little village school-room were over.
rhe day came; the inspection was duly per-
ormed; and at the end of the day Mr..
Vensby sat down at the rector's hospitable
able.
"And what do you think of our new mis-
ress?" asked the rector, as he began to
arvs the joint.
'fA very superior person-very superior
,erson indeed" returned the Inspector.
Miss Jordan's chin waslifted little high
II in the air as this answer was given; but
be gesture went unnoticed.
II.
Ter quite an acquisition" said Mr.. Dow
hwairhe.
"Yes; there seemed an improvement in
ii directions" continued Mr.. Wensby;"but
specially in the needlework. Under the
ormer mistress the needlework was very
lumsy; now it is admirable"
Miss Jordan smiled incredulously.
81 assure you have received very neat
pecimens of button holing," said the In
pector. "The department cannot fail to
,e pleased with them. can show you them
Ifter dinner, if you like.''
Il should very much like to see them,"
aid Miss Jordan, dryly.
After dinner accordingly the specimens
we're produced, and very neatly executed
beV were.
II dou't believe our girls ever did that
york, said MiSs Jordan sOlemnly, as sic
,ent over the button-holes
"But saw them!" calculated Mr.. Wens-
~.
"Saw the stuff in their hands, l dare
ay," returned the lady. "What do gen.
lemen know about things of thatsort?" she
ldded contemptuously.
II have always to report as to the quail.
y of the needework," said the Inspector
,tiffl7 and with slight blush. "But if
7ou assure me from your own knowledge
,f the children that they could not have
done this work themselves it will be my
duty TO institute further inquiry"
81 an certain of it," said Miss Jordan.
That evening Mr.. Wensby compared
notes with his host, and the rector confess.
ed that he was surprised-secretly he was
fiud what large number of
"attendauces" had been made even by the
most irregular OF the village children.
1--WE have board meeting tomorrow"
said Mr.. Do~thwaite,
"Theo ask Miss Grayling to attend it,
said MIR. Wensby, ''and ask her whether
the children actually did the peedlework
themselves. If she says they cid I will FIX
a dav-1 ran como QUAR- in ohout throo