Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-09-24
MIRIAM MAY.

The children came cut of the village
school, and in groups they went toward
their several homes or loitered about the
backgrounds. Miriam May, the teacher,
was the last one to come from the school
room, and as she locked the door behind
her, and walked over the stile, the children
near again bade her ''Good-by" for the
night. The scholars all loved their teacher.
Miriam turned into the country road, and
started toward her fathers little farm, a
mile away. She said that the walk was
good exercise. and that she preferred it to
riding, though she might have had ride
each day. Her father could not veil have
spared one of his two horses, but John
Thornton, whose large farm was adjoining
Mr.. Mays would have been glad to have
taken Miriam to the school each morning,
and to have taken her home again each
night.
John was born on that farm, and all of
his life he had worked on it, and had work.
ed faithfully. When his father began to
feel that ne was becoming too old to longer
carry all of tho burden he gave the manage
ment Of the farm to John.
Young John Thornton had never attend
ed school very much, and, though naturally
bright, he grew up bearing the evidences of
lack of education and absence of cultured
surroundings. His father used to say
sJohn is worker"
After Mr.. May had bought adjoining the
Thorntons, and his daughter had taken the
school, change came over John. He be-
came quite intimate at the Mays, and began
to read great deal, and even to study.
Miriam selected his books for him, and gave
him great assistance. He cared more for
l.. tbcx I,a Go Z %I,r
village store and it's gossip. He had become
more Of man. Miriam had opened new
world to him.
Miriam walked along the road with light
step. and the bright sunshine of happy con-
tentment illuminating her pretty face. She
was happy. She enjoyed her work and per-
formed it conscientiously. The merry
s'good-by" of the scholars still echoed in
her thoughts, and there was bright picture
of the future in her heart.
When she reached the Thorton farm she
saw John standing at the end of the lane,
as though waiting for her. She was net
surprised, for she expected to see him there.
He has been there many and many an after
noon before at the time she passed along on
her way from the school.
"You are walking fast, Miriam," said
John.
"Perhaps, because my heart is light"
answered the girl.
miriam, hope that it may always be
so. It makes me happy to see joy in your
face.''
s'Then, may be, you can keep yourself
happy By keeping the look of joy in my
face" said Miriam.
81 will" said the young caa1, SO ne took
her hand and pressed it, as though to give
emphasis to his words. 1.-THE Harper car
rage came from the station to day with
some strangers; do you know who they
are?'' aaked Miriam.
eyes, mother was telling me about then.
They are some cf the Weston people that
Mrs. Harper talks so much about. They
have come to stay q few weeks"
dis it Mrs. Weston?" inquired the girl.
"Yes, ard her daughter, l believe" an
swered John.
"Don't you think that we should calle'
asked Miriam.
sOf course we should, and as scon as you
please. Suppose that We 60 after sup
per, Miriam"
"Certainly," she answered. 81 will be
ready when you call. 1t is only short
walk.
They separated, Miriam going along the
road, while John followed the lane toward
the house. They turned now and the1, and
waved their hands 60 long as they were in
sight OF each other.
When John and Miriam reached the Har-
pe1s' that evening they found the family
and their visitors on the verands.
Mrs. Weston waa dressed in the extreme
of faahion, and appeared to think that she
was az young es she had been twenty years
before. Her daughter was pretty girl,
full of animation, ready to talk on any sub
iect, though not very profoundly. She had
seen much of the world, and knew all tina.
was to be known about society.
| After the introduction Miss Bella ETeltou
gave the drift to conversation by saying
''How lovely tne country is at this time Of
year! l do enjoy it SO much. Everything
is SO restful after the whirl of the city
Don't you find it very stupid being here al,
of the time, Miss May?"
| "No. indeed" answered Miriam. 81 am
too busy to find things stupid. Most of my
time is given to the school, and -"
"Oh, you teach school, do youa'' asked
Miss Weston.
"Yes, and enjoy it every so much," said
Miriam. "Then help mother about ths
housework. And after that my reading ant
painting take up all my time.'
DO you teach painting, too?' inquired
Miss Weston.
mo; I only paint for nv own pleasure. /,