Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-11-05
CHAPTER II.

In the course of month the new school
mistress entered upon her duties. The viii
lape children regarded her with mingled
admiration and awe as she came into the
little school. room for the first time in her
spotless morning gown. The dress was on
" of cotton, but it was neatly. even stylish
" made. They gazed with wonder and de-
| light as Miss Grayling contemporary flung
poor Mrs. Piggin's cane into the empty
fireplace, and they promised themselves
golden days for the future.
In that particular, however, they we're
disappointed. The new teacher, they soon
discovered, was not to be trifled with. They
had to work harder than they had ever done
before; but they did not grumble. They
literary worshipped their school mistress
and would no more have thought of dis
obeying her than of disputIng the authority
of the village constable.
When the rector visited the school every
Monday morning he WAS delighted with the
order that reigned there. He thought Miss
| Grayling very exemplary and superior
Young woman. He lent her books. He
gave her much advice as to her work, with
which be had not thought it worth while
to trouble good Mrs. Plggin, and his coun-
sells were invariably received with charm
ing Difference.
1t was the custom at Little Puddington
for lhe curate to give the school children a
lesson in Bible history on Wednesday af-
ternonp: and Mr.. Cope looked forward to
his first lesson under Miss Grayling' g
auspices with some inward t.epidatiop. In
spite of himself be felt certain tremor as
he addressed the new teacher, and yet be
found himself continually desiring to speak
to ber. By degrees, however, this wore off;
and be came to look forward to Wednesday
afternoons as pleasant interludes in his
rather monotonous weeks. He, too, was
solicitous for the new teachers mental
pabulum, and lent her books, beginning
with popular history books, going on tC
lSunday afternoon tales, and finally reach
ing the stage of undeniable yellow-backed
novels. Mics Grayline smiled to herself as
she placed Mr.. Cope's "Orley Far il
her desk beside Mr. Dowthwaite's "Chron.
icles of the Schonberg Gotta Family"
! But everybody liked Mics Graylipg. The
ehildren's mothers looked on her as a su
perior being. Even cross old Miss Sower
butts. at the Mount Farm, liked to have hel
John was at market, drink a cup of tea
! with her, and enlighten her as to the rea
{ fashions as worn in London. The only per
son who did not join in the chorus of ap
probation was Miss Jordan, the rector
sister rin-law.
/ "Don't you think we we're very fortunat
. in getting such a superior mistress in Mrs
Piggiu's placer" said the rector to his sis
ter.in-law one Sunday, after church.
! II dare say" said Miss Jordan.
sThere is a marked improvement in th
behavior of the children both at church an
o in school," continued the rector, in rather
nagisterial way, as if to resent the jmpeact
, ment of an undue partiality for Miss Gray
9 ling, which was visible in Miss Jordan
: face.
: "The boys don make half so much noif
;, in going out of church before the sermon q
8 they used to do" continued the parson.
"I've no doubt the young woman is yer
It we'll fitted for her place." said Miss Jordan
II "Dear mel" said the rector to himsel
Q sit's odd how few women can forgive al
: other woman, in somewhat lower rank
II life, for having pretty face and an attra
Tive manner!" Whatever the reason,
was plain that Misc Jordan WAS not capt