Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-30

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
Crawling a very exemplary and superior
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 Mrs. Piggin; and his counsels were
invariably received with q charming defer
eDce.
1t was the custom at Little Puddington
for the curate to give the school children
lesson in Bible history on Wednesday
afternoons; and Mr.. Cope looked forward to
his first lesson under Miss Grayling's aus
pices with some inward trepidation. In
spite Of himself he felt certain tremor as
he addressed the new teacher, and yet he
found himself continually desiring to speak
10 her. 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 to
Sunday afternoon tales, and finally reach
ing the stage of undeniable yellow backed
novels. Miss Grayling smiled to her.
self as she placed Mr.. Cope's "0rley
Farm in her desk beside Mr.. Dowth-
wsite's Chronicles of the Schonberg- Gotta
Family"
But everybody liked Miss Crawling. The
children's mothers looked on her as a super
ior being. Even cross old Miss Sowerbutts
at the Mount Farm, liked to have her go
over on Thursday afternoon, when John
was at market to drink a cup of tea with
her, and enlighten her as to the real fash
ions, as worn in London. The only person
who did not join in the chorus Of apprecia-
tion was Miss Jordan, the rector's sister-in-
Law.
Don't you think we were very fortunate
in getting such a superior mistress in Mrs.
Piggin's placer" said the rector to his sister,
in-law, one Sunday after church.
81 dare say" said Miss Jordan.
''There is a marked improvement in the
behavior of the children, both at church and
in school, contiued the rector, in rather q
magisterial way, as if to resent the impeach-
ment of an undue partislity for Miss Gray
ling, which was visible in Miss Jordan's
face.
1.-THE boys don't make half so ,huch noise
in going out of church before the sermon as
they used to do" continued the parson.
"I've 30 doubt the young woman is yery
well fitted for her place, said Miss Jordan.
dear me-" said the rector to himself,
"it's odd how few women can forgive anoth-
er woman in a somewhat lower rank of lie,
fer having a pretty face and an attractive
manner!" Whatever the reason it was plain
that Miss Jordan was not captivated by the
new mistress. They avoided each other, as
If by mutual consent.
1t happened that one afternoon, in early
summer, Miss Grayling had gone up to the
hi nx-ffo l-.-
with Miss Sowerbutts. 1t was Thursday
day when the farmer always attended
market in the neighboring town of Groby.
81 must make haste and get home before
dark, said Miss Grayling. as the day began
to close; and she went up to put on her bon
net. The operation, however, took some
little time, as it was diversified by an exhi-
bition of Miss Sowerbutt's mothers we'd
ding dress, and various other pieces Of raj
ment of quite remote antiquity, in all of
which Miss Grayling took Keen interest.
Il declare it's getting dark" exclaimed
the schoolmistress at last, as she threw on
her hat in a great hurry, and went down.
stairs with her hostess. Arrived in the
garden, however, it was impossible to 20
without morsel of Miss Sowerbutts's deli
cious sweet-briar; the peas, 100, were in a
most interesting state OF development; and
by the time they had been duly admired,
the farmers burly form was seen slowly ad-
vancing between the hedge rows, borne
onwards by lis gig and his good mare, Jess.
Certainly Miss Crawling looked a pretty
figure as she stood at the porch of the farm
house, shaking hands with its mistress.
'Well, miss, and how are YEP" said Mr..
Sowerbutts, with very red face, as be leant
out of the gig to shake hands with his
sisters visitor.
''VerY well, thank you. But 1 must say
good evening. 1 really must get home be-
lore dark
Whats the need for that? Jess and 1
mum see thee home"
''Oh, no, no! l couldn't think of such
thing. You must be so tired, and the poor
horse, too. Good-by." And Miss Crawling
took hasty farewell Of her friend and ran
down the roadway with the prettiest little
steps in the world.
Meanwhile Mr.. Sowerbutts was slowly
turning round the unwilling jess.
"but, John, the mare will be oyerdope.
She can find her way home. Or I'll send
Jacob with her, said Miss Sowerbutts, re-
GREETING in her heart that she had ever in
Vited the schoolmistress to the farm.
To this John made no reply; and having
succeeded in turning the horse and gig, be
speedily overlook Miss Crawling, who was
walking on ahead in the most determined
manner.
''Whoai who-ai" cried Mr.. Sowerbutts
to the mare. "Now, miss, will'ee get in?'
And he held back the apron as he spoke.
Really can't-I can't take you back to
Puddington after your journey" and Miss
Grayling stood hesitating. 'No," she said
more firmly, as Mr.. Sowerbutts only sat and
looked at her without speaking; there is
really no necessity for iti''
IF l ask We to come mean it." said the
farmer, 'an' 1 take it as a favor''
''Oh, il you put it SO politely. shall be
very happy" said Miss Crawling, as she
held up her little gloved hand and was
hoisted into the gig.
Il was, after all, only mile and half to |
the village. For the first minute nothing |
was said.
''You plays that there ammonium in
church beautiful" said Mr.. Sowerbutts at |
length.
Miss Crawling laughed and turned her |
smiling face upon her companion.
do you think so? I'm not SO sure of |
that myself" said she.
Beautiful" responded Mr.. SoWerbutts, |
with emphasis, And settin' there, in the |
chanceI, with the red window shining on |
yer 'esd, you look like saint in gloryr'
Ous MI. OONerDuGtS! you realJN Y snoul0n-t /
be SO very complimentary" said Miss Gray |
ling TRANQUILITY. "And now, tell me how |
things went at market to-day"
The conversation thus took a more prosaic |
turn; and Miss Grayling the deepest
interest in the price of hay and calves, and |
other agricultural topics, until they reached |
the cottage in which she lived.
--f
CHAPTER III.
The government inspection was always
one Of the events of the year at Little Pud-
dington. 1t generally took place in the end