Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-06-06

Which were bliss with dumb agony blent.
-Franklyn W. Lee.
TWO KISSES.
When say that for rather more than q
quarter of century have been q verita-
bic old madam old maid, beyond the
shadow of peradventure- will be read
lily understood that very many years have
passed since was "slip of Il girl" Yet
was only a slip of q girl, small sized, IN |
experienced miss of Is, when undertook
the rather arduous task of teaching q dis
trict school in an outlying section of Yer
mont, near the New York state line.
My school was not SO very far distant |
from my own home which was in a small
Vermont city, but it was far enough to
render it necessary for me to "board
around in the usual country school marin
STYLE The school term extended over four
months and each succeeding month be-
came the guest of different family. With
the first three, was fairly well content and
tolerably comfortable, but when I took up
my residence for my last month was de-
cidedly uneasy and dissatisfied with my
surroundings.
The household consisted of tolerably
wealthy old widow lady and her son, the
latter being the Objectionable party. He
was, in size, giant, and was, perhaps, 80
years old. He dressed much better than
most Vermont farmers and took much
pride in his personal appearances; but he
could not conceal the fact that he was
coarse, illiterate and brutal. hated him
very cordially from the first moment that
my eyes rested upon him, and yet from that
same first moment George Randall was I'M
ceasing in his efforts (Which, am thank
full to say, were mostly unsuccessfuD to
pay me marked attention.
Although the Randalls' home was a long
half mile from the school house, steadily
refused to he driven by my host in his car
riage, and all through the muddy April
weather persistently walked the tiresome
distance daily. I also declined sundry offers
of George Randall's escort to church, to
social gatherings and to village dances. It
was strange peryersity on my part, for all
the Snakeville girls tolerated Randall and
willingly accepted his company; but, in
my eyes, he was peculiarly offensive, and
day arrive when should prove my dislike
to be we'll founded.
/ possessed another very ardent admirer
at Snakeville. OF course, my pupils in
cluded the usual strange variety to be
found in country school, but there was
one scholar who interested me particularly.
He was lad-a young man-who must
have been two years older than myself,
whose education had been somewhat neg
lected in his earlier days. He was only a
country boy, a farmers son, unassuming
and rather shy. Charlie Champneys was
not unduly quick or sharp, and yet, in some
ways, he was peculiarly bright and apt to
learn. He was very much deformed and a
cripple, generally known in the neighbor-
hood as "Hunchback Charlie"
was genuinely interested in this my big
gest and Oldest pupil, and I gave him, as
his teacher, more attention than was his
legitimate share. Indeed, was so much
interested in him that encouraged him to
come up and see me evenings, so that we
could go over his studies more carefully
than school hours permitted He did come
often, much to George Randall's chagrin,
though the latter might easily have per-
ceived that cared nothing for Charlie, be-
ing merely interested in him as dihgent,
painstaking pupil.
Quite often, after we finished our studies,
would read from books to Charlie, or, by
his request, sing one of my songs, accom-
pduyluk u1yScll OA 1AISs lbauOtaAl . SAQkCp
piano-the only one in the neighborhood.
And all the time while never once dream
ed about caring deeply for Charlie Champ
neys, it never crossed my mind that per-
chance he might, possibly, learn to think
more of me than would be good for his
peace and comfort
But at last the truth was forced upon me.
For one Sunday evening in May, about two
days before / was to leave Snakeyille, very
shyly and with much diffidence and STAN
mering, Charlie told me that he loved me,
and Laughed at him!
Hew serious enough and very much in
earnest. knew that full well. But !
treated the whole affair as huge joke and
made fun of the poor fellow until he could
stand it no longer, but blushing like a
girl, left me hastily. And for that scorn-
full, laughing, hooking, thoughtless dis
missal of manly lover rendering me a
good, genuine, honest love / have been
sorry ever since.
From Snaksville to the railroad which
would convey me to my own home was five
miles, and was compelled to ride that dis
lance with George Randall in his much adj
mired spring wagon. Apparently he was
not in good humor when we started out.
His bearing was sullen and morose, and he
uttered never word. We rode in perfect
silence for fully half the distance to the de-
pot, when we reached the foot of a hill
which would have to be assembled by us.
Here Randall stopped the horse, and
quietly threw the reins over the animals
back. He shifted his own position some
what, so as to look me full in the face,
while gazed at him in blank astonish-
ment. There was a curious glitter in Ran
dalls eye, and ! knew well that it was a
cold passion, not born of drink. It looked
like an expression of deadly hatred more
than aught else; certainly, it was the glare
of demon which he fixed upon me.
''You will marry me!' he said, slowly
and deliberately, more in commanding
than in questioning tone.
l made no answer, for l was greatly
frightened and agitated.
'Fsay, you will marry me-" he repeated,
while with his left hand he grasped my
right arm so tightly as to cause me consid-
cradle physical pain.
saw that / must say something.
"Mr. Randall, surely you would not in
suit and assault a helpless girl?"
"Insult you? No, curse you'll" he said.
at is YOU who insult, for you have snubbed
me on every possible occasion since you
came to Snakeyille. Insult you? Pshaw!
1 return good for evil. / say, you will
marry me!'
'You are mistaken" replied. IF you
intend by your strange language to do me
the honor Of requesting me to marry you.
regret that must decline. Please drive on"
'Ah!" he almost Missed. mo, cannot
force you to marry me, but ! can-I can
make you yield me those sneering lips OF
yours for a while! Yes, you shall'-
n..a Of his stron9 arms was throw"
around me, drawing me all unwillingly to
his side. His other hand held me as in a
vise He bent his face to me, and l could
almost feel his lips upon mine
But he did not Giss me. Some one sprang
upon the wagon and struck Randall vio-
lent blow upon the head, and, before the
brutal fellow could collect his scattered
senses, he was tossed out Of the wagon on
to the roadside. The opportune arrival was
the cripple, Charlie Champneys.
My deliverer spoke word to Randall who
was not seriously hurt, and then drove me
On to the depot. He did not say very much,
nor did T. Though felt like telling him