Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-07

better. This young-ahl--person is ro-
commended; l may say highly recon-
mended. by the lifting his double eye
glasses TO his nose" the vicar of Little
Shcnstone. There can be little doubt as
TO her capability TO undertake the duties.
And really. II we began hunting through,
all these papers. We might 60 further ana
Ear. ear" murmured Mr. Sowerbutts,
in hollow, bass voice, tapping the point
Of his stick gently on the hoor, ana ac-
cordingly it was settled that Miss Laura
Hill Crawling should DO appointed to the
vacant Office.
CHAPTER II.
In the course of q moDth the new school
mistress entered upon her duties. Inc
village children regarded her with min
gled sdmiration and awe as she came into
the little school-room for the first time IN
her spotless morning gown. Inc Dress
was only of cotton, but IL was neatly, even
stylishly made. They gazed with wonder
and delight as Miss Craving contempu-
ously flung poor Mrs. Piggln's cane INTO
the empty fireplace, and they. promised
themselves golden days for the future.
disappointed. The new teacher, they soon
discovered. was not to be trihed with.
Thew had to work harder than they had
ever done before; but they did not grum-
BILE. They literally worshipped their schooi-
mistress and would no more have thougnt
of disobeying her than of disputing the
authority of the village constable.
When the rector visited the schooi! every
Monday morning he was deiighted WIN
the order that reigned there. de thought
Miss Grayling very exemplary ana supe-
rior young woman. He lent her DOCKS.
He gave her much advice as to her Work,
With which he had not thought 1T worth
while to trouble good Mrs. Piggin, and his
counses were invariably received with
charming Difference.
II was the custom at Little Puddington
for the curate to give the school children
a lesson in Bible history on "Wednesday
afternoons: and Dir. Cope looked forward
10 his first lesson under Miss Grayhngs
auspices with some inward trepidation. In
spite of himself he felt certain tremor
az he addressed the new teacher,
and vet he found himself contln-
ually desiring to speak to her. by
degrees. however, this wore OH ; ana
he came to look forward to Wednesday
afternoons as pleasant interludes IN MS
rather monotonous weeks. He, too. was
solicitous for the new teachers mental
pabuium. and lent her books. beginning
with popular history books, gong on 70
Sunday afternoon tales. and finally reach,
inc the stage of undeniable yellow acke
novels. Miss Crawling smiled to herself as
she placed MIR. Cope's "Orley Farm" in
her desk beside Mr. Dowthwaite's "Chron-
icles of the Sch0nberg-Cotta Family"
But everybody liked Miss Crawling. Tho
children's mothers looked on her as su-
perior being. Even cross old Miss Sower-
butts. at tho Mount Farm. liked to nave
her 90 over on Thursday afternoon. when
John was at market. drink cup of tea
with her. and enllghten her as to the real
fashions as worn in London. The only
person who did not Join in the chorus OF
approbation was Miss Jordan. the rector
sister-in-law.
Don't YOU think we were very fortu-
nate in getting such superior mistress IN
Mrs. Piggin's place." said the rector TO
his sister-in-law one Sunday after church.
II dare say" said Miss Jordan. -,
There is a marked Improvement IN the
behavior Of the children both at chureh
and in school," continued the rector. IN
rather magisterial way. as If to resent the
impeachment of an undue .partiaiity tor
Miss Crawling, which was visible III MISS
Jordan's face.
"The bows don't make half so much
noise in going out of church before the
sermon as they used to do" continued the
parson.
"pve no doubt the Young woman Is very
well fitted for her place" said Miss JORDAN.
Dear mel" said the rector to himself.
"it's odd how few women can forgive an
other woman in a somewhat lower rank OF
life, for having pretty face and an attrac-
tive mannerl" Whatever the reason, 1T
was plain that Miss Jordan was not capt.:
waited by the new mistress. They avoided
each other, as if by mutual consent.
IL happened that one afternoon IN early
summer Miss Grayling had gone up to the
Mount Farm, by invitation. to drink tea
with Miss Sowerbutts. 1t was q Thurs
dav--a day when the farmer always at
tended market at the neighboring town OF
Groby.
~ must make haste and get home be-
fore dark said Miss Grayling, as the day
began to close; and she went up to put on
her bonnet. The operation, however. took
some little time, as it was diversified by
an exhibition of Miss Sowerbutts's mo-
theirs wedding dress, and various other
pieces of raiment of a quite remote an
tidurty, in all of which Miss Grayling took
keen interest.
claimed the schoolmIstress at last. as she
threw on her hat in a great hurry and
went down stairs with her hostess. Ar
rived in the garden, however, 1t was I'M
possble to 90 without morsel OF Mrs.
Sowerbutts's delicious sweet-brlar; the
meas too. were in most interesting state
of development, and by the time they had
been duly admired the farmers ouriy
form was seen slowly advancing between
the hedge-rows, borne onward Dy MS ZIG
and his good mare Jess.
Certainly Miss Crawling looked pretty
figure as she stood at the porch OF the
farmhouse shaking hands with Its mis-
tress.
Sowerbutts. with very red face, as he lean
ed out of the gig to shake hands with his
sisters visitor.
VERY well. thank you. But must say
good evening. Ireally must get home be-
fore dark" ia Y,
mum see thee home"
"Oh. no. no! couldn't think of such a
thing. You must be so tired, and the
moor horse, too. Good-by." And Miss
Crawling took hasty farewell OF her
friend and ran down the roadway with the
urettiest little steps in the world.
Meantime Mr.. Sowerbutts was slowly
turning round the unwilling Jess.
But. John, the mare Will be overdone;
She can find her way home. Or I'll send
Jacob with her" SAID Miss Sowerbutts, re-
PTeIIlilE III EtI Hthib thoN ote H's' N'NN 49,
yyited the schoolmistress TO the farm.
To this John made no reply, and having
succeeded in turning the horse and gig he
speedily overlook Miss Grayling. who was
walking on ahead in the most determined
manner. -.
whoa, who.a." cried Mr.. Sowerbutts
| TO the mare. Now. Miss. will ZEE get
in?n And he held back the apron as he
spoke.
"Really can't can't take you back to
Puddington after your Journeys; and Miss
| Crawling stood hesitating. NO" she said
more firmly as Mr.. Sowerbutts only sat and
looked at her without speaking; there Is
| really no necessity for it,"
IF | ask We to come mean it," said the
| farmer: IAN take it as a favor"
"Oh, If you put it so politely, l shall bt
\ very happy" said Miss Crawling, as she
held up her little gloved hand and wa:
hoisted into the. gig.
II was. after all. only mile and half tc
the village. For the first minute nothing
You PLAYS that there ammonium in
church beautiful" said MIR. Sowerbutts, al
length.
Miss Grayling laughed and turned bel
smiling face upon her companion.
| "Doyou think so? Pm not SO sure of that
myself" said she.
| HReautifnl - responded Mr.. Sowerbutts