Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-18

~ Su' "SaAn VIII "1iSShbS tIout Ut ire !.
end
Matt still stood, with a look of envy
upon his sunburnt face. He felt cross and !
ill-used; not because he disliked his |
teacher-in fact, he was deeply attached to |
her-but he thought his honor lowered in !
being taught by woman. So month |
skipped away, and Miss Hope still taught
the school at Sandy Hollow. Dick would
come whenever it suited him-which was
not very often-until one day something
happened. Matt. jenkins sat in front Of
Dick and was engaged with his examples
as the teacher supposed-but in reality
upon caricature of herself, representing
her with small boy across her knee and
busily employed with a slipper. Under
meath was written in scrawling letters,
"Petticoat Government" This cartoon he
slyly passed around amid great deal of
half-suppressed giggling. Dick caught
sight of it, and in an instant his fist was
dashed through the slate and it lay scat
tered in dozen pieces upon the floor.
Miss Hope looked up startled. "What
is it?' she asked.
'Dick Darby" was the reply. ale has
broken MATHS slate. Did it on purpose.
Knocked his fist clear through it."
Richard Darnly will please step for
ward"
Dick did not move.
Miss Hope reached for her cane, at
which the boys set up howl of mirth.
Richard, you have broken the rules, and
l must punish YOU" Dick rises to his feet
and steps towards her.
"Hold out your hand" He does SO, and
SIX times the singing cane descends.
"Now, take your seat"
He turns his face, white to the lips, and
reaches for his hat.
Richard, where are you going ?" With
out replying Dick dons his hat and makes
for the door. But quick as he is. Miss
Hope Is still quicker. She catches him by
the sleeve; Richard, l command YOU to
resume your seat"
He unfastens her fingers, firmly, but
gently.
''Miss Hope" he speaks low and quietly,
81 have allowed you to do what no man
would dare-be satisfied"
She steps back, ashamed and humbled,
and for the rest of the afternoon dreams
of a pair of dark eyes, which have looked
into her own with such mournful tender
ness, and she seems to feel the touch of his
strong, gentle fingers upon her hand
Strange" she unused, IL never noticed
how handsome he was until today" and
her heart gives little hutter. 81 wonder
If he will come tomorrow" But no; to-
morrow comes, the next day, and the
next, until word passes around, 'sDick's
going to college," Miss Hope hears the
news with feeling akin to pain. Dicks
handsome dark eyes have haunted her
ever since the afternoon of the slate break
ing, especially more SO when one of the
younger pupils told her why it was done,
and her heart leaped with pleasure.
ut was for my sake; and for my sake he
took the punishment that the other
scholars should show respect to me-"
She met him one evening on her way
| from school. He was passing her by with
slight inclination of his head, when she
stopped him.
Richard, I wish to apologize for my
treatment of you. If | had only known
the particulars it would never have hap
pened. am truly sorry, ard as you are
going away, will you shake hands and for
give me ?"
| Dick stands for moment regarding the
pretty little teacher, who, with out
stretched hand, and wistful look in the
sweet blue eyes, is waiting for him to
speak. The rich blood dyes his sunburnt
cheeks; he taxes the small hand and presses
it to his lips
'You did perfectly right, Miss Hope.
never knew what a brute l was until met
YOU" He dropped her hand and strobe
quickly away.
And she, looking after him, sighed, "And
| never knew | had heart until / met
| you"
| Six months had passed away when Dick
returned from college, looking handsomer
than ever, but still with that same care
less, easy grace of his.
1t ofttimes happened that he and Miss
Hope met coming back and forth from
Mrs. Dawson's and it was whispered in
common report that "Dick is sweet on the
| teacher"
Dicks holidays were drawing to close.
1t had been raining steadily for some DAYS,
and the residents of Sandy Hollow were
growing uneasy, for flood had twice be-
fore visited them
"Tut, tut" spoke Rufus Darnly, eve are
all quite safe since the raised ground. The
only house in danger is the Widow Daw-
| sons, which you perceive stands almost at
the mouth OF the creek. / would advise
her to bring Miss Hope and move up with
u.s."
He did not know that Mrs. Dawson had
left Sandy Hollow that very morning to
attend Mary, a sick daughter, some miles
distant. When urged to leave the house
Jessie laughed, and said she ''was not the
least afraid"
But that night the waters of the creek
arose at most tremendous rate and were
soon over the banks. The cottage of the
Widow Dawson was already flooded, the
water speedily coming up to the windows
Dick rushed wildly up to the scene of
danger. Jessie's poor little face was
pressed against the window pane
"Father, you see about sending the
boat p he shouted, preparing to take
plunge.
"Dick, Dick, my son, you cannot swim
against that current" exclaimed Rufus
Darnly, putting his OBTAINING hands upon
him.
"Let me CO." he said roughly, and
turned, his face white with misery. Cant
you see the danger she is in? For Gods
sake, father, don't try to stop me now"
The fathers hands dropped $50 then,
lad, and God be with you"
Dick set his teeth hard and took the
plunge. Three times was he dashed back.
but by slow degrees, and by the exercise OF
almost superhuman strength, he managed
to reach the swaying cottage. Jessie was
standing on the table.
ooh, Dick p she sobbed, 81 knew YOU
would come"
He caught her in his arms; every mo-
ment was precious; her head sank upon
his breast, and with dismay he found that
she had tainted. But his heart beat high
with JOY, for she had called him Dick"
He waded out, waist deep, in the whirl-
ing waters and saw the boat making vain
endeavors to reach them, but the seething
torrent tossed it back like an egg-shell,
and as he looked about the remembrances
of his childhood came over him-when
in glee he would dabble his chubby fingers
in the shining water, and, drawing them
out, would laugh with delight to see the
sparkling drops fall from them, and now,
perhaps, these same waters are to be his
destroyer.
Darling" he moaned, Darling, can
not let you die. Oh, Godw he prayed,
al al,, NO x,nva. Lnav- bor, .,root l,c,