Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-09-27
CHATTER II.

In the course OF q month the new ScnOOi-
mistress entered upon her duties. The viii
lage 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
only of cotton, but it was neatly, even
stylishly made They gazed with wonder
and delight as Miss Grayling contemptu-
ously flung poor Mrs. Piggin's cane into
the fireplace, and they promised themselves
golden days for the future.
In that particular, however, they were
disappointed. The new teacher, they soon
discovered was not TO be trifed with.
They had to work harder than they had
ever done before but they did not grumble.
They literally worshiped their schoolmis-
tress and would no more have thought OF
disobeying her than Of disputing the au-
thority 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 Crawling a very exemplary and supe-
rior young woman. He lent her books.
He gave her much advice as to her work,
with which he had not thought it worth
while TO trouble good Mrs. Piggin, and his
eounsels were invariably received with a
charming Difference.
1t was the custom at Little Puddington
for the curate to give the school children a
lesson in Bible history on Wednesday after
moons; and Mr. Cope looked forward to his
first lesson under Miss Cravings auspices
with some inward trepidation. In spite OF
himself he felt certain tremor as he ad-
dressed the new teacher, and yet he found
himself continually desiring to speak to
her. By degrees, however, this wore off;
and he came to look forward to Wednesday
afternoons as pleasant interludes in his
rather monotonous weeks. He, too, was
soiicitous for the new teachers mental
pabulum, and lent her books, beginning
with popular history books, going on to
Sunday afternoon tales, and finally reach
ing the stage of undeniable, yellow-backed
novels. Miss Crawling smiled to herself as
she placed Mr.. Cope's "Orley Farm" in her
desk beside Mr. Dowthwaite's Chronicles
Of the Schonberg- Gotta Family"
But everybody liked Miss Crawling. The
children's mothers looked on her as SUI
perior being. Even cross old Miss Sewer.
butts, at the Mount Farm, liked to have
her 60 over on Thursday afternoon, when
John was at market, drink cup of tea
with her, and enlighten her as to the real
fashions as worn in London. The only
person who did not Join in the chorus Of
appreciation was Miss Jordan, the rector
sister-in-law.
Don't you think we were very fortunate
in getting such a superior mistress in Mrs
L. L. 20, i ctc
ter-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 church
and in school," continued the rector, il
rather a magisterial way, as if to resen
the impeachment of an undue partially
for Miss Grayling, which was visible il
Miss Jordan's face.
''The boys don't make half so mucf
noise in going out of church before the ser
mon as they used to do" continued thu
parson.
81 have no doubt the young woman i
very well fitted for her place. said Mis-
Jordan.
"Dear me y said the rector to himself
dts odd how few women can forgive an
other woman, in somewhat lower rank o
life. for having a pretty face and an at
tractive manner y Whatever the reason
it was plain that Miss Jordan was no
captivated by the new mistress. The,
avoided each other as if by mutual con
sent.
1t happened that one afternoon, in earl,
summer, Miss Grayling had gone up to tn
Mount Farm, by invitation, to drink te
with Miss Sowerbutts 1t was Thurs
| day--a day when the farmer always at
tended market at the neighboring town o
Groby.
u must make haste and get home befor
dark" said Miss Grayling, as the day be
/ gan TO close; and she went up 10 put on he
bonnet. The operation, however, tool
some little time, as it was diversified b,
an exhibition of Miss Sowerbutt's mother
wedding dress, and various other piece
/ Of raiment of quite remote antiquity, il
all OF which Miss Crawling took keen in
terest.
II declare it's getting quite dark" ex
/ claimed the schoolmistress at last, as sh
threw on her hat in great hurry
and went downstairs with her hostes:
Arrived in the garden, however, it was i'm
possible TO go without morseI of Mr.;
Sowerbutts delicious sweet-briar; tn
peas, too, were in most interesting stat
Of development, and by the time they ha
been duly admired, the farmers burl
form was seen slowly sdvancing betwee
the hedge-rows, borne onward by his gi
and his good mare, jess.
Certainly Miss Grayling looked a prett
figure as she stood at the porch Of tn
farmhouse shaking hands with its mis-
tress.
swell, Miss, and how are ye," said NJ