The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1890-03-15
ALL ABOUT OUR FOLKS.
BY LILLE BrNKLEY, A%TCHIsON, KAN.

It was in the middle of one of these
r~everies that he was startled by q loud
rap at the door. You can imagine his
excitement and wonder for the next mo-
ment better thsn | can tell you.
With all possible decorum he opened
the door and ushered into the room Miss
Rose BaiIy and myself. Rose looked neat
and old fashioned in her plain white waist
and full skirt. And her face seemed really
charming under the broad, white hat that
she wore. 1t would be folly to say he
was not a little fascinated, and admired
her for more than her kindness to his
mother.
We had called to put our names upon
the list Of scholars, and we're a little sur
prised at be ng first. Some five or six
more joined during the week so that
when we began Monday morning our class
numbered eight. But he had expected to
have twenty at least, and even that num-
Der would not have more than covered
expenses.
He saw tho future gloomy and dark be-
fore him. Every day seemed to lead him
farther and farther away from his aims
In life, and he almost felt discouraged.
There are times in every life when the
clouds of dependency roll up the hills so
fast that they cover every spray of hope.
The present outlook was blank even to a
matter of living, n position could not
even be hoped for.
But some people can work without a
hope, and he was one of them.
1t often happens that in the bosom of
young girls turks pride, and passions that
are very dangerous.
Rose was intensely infatuated with her
teacher, and highly ambitious to be a great
singer.
Day after day she sang and studied.
Her teacher admired her very much, for
in addition to her voice, she was a very
fine girl. So it happened that her teacher
stopped to that common and contemplate
art of false praise.
How proudly her heart beat when he
admiringly said, white Hall may yet
send forth a Jenny June"
She never for a moment stopped to think
that her teacher would be ridiculed at any
first class city, but went on holding won
derful concerts in her mind.
The climax was reached by-and-by.
If q woman can not sip honor from her
favorite flower, she will pine and die in
the darkness. 1t is her nature, notwith-
standing exceptions that have been soured.
But man, if his first flower dies or is
blown away, seeks another. And it is
well he can, for what would he be, poor
creature, moping through this rough
world of business with nothing but dead
hope and love to cheer him.
lie admired Rose and Blanche was far
away where he might never reach her /;
therefore he hesitsted not to speak to Rose
of love.
Although he had said the ssme to
Blanche, he cannot be said to be a ftrt, if
we consider all.
1t was q close, misty day in summer, and
the class was Just starting home. He was
tired of his work, and knew he must soon
close, as he did not make expenses.
To the 6ispleasure of several of his
scholars, he asked for Roses company
home. A teaoher is always accused of
more partiality than he deserves, and now
we had good grounds to accuse him, and
our wrath was in no wise abated, when he
took another road and we understood our
company was not wanted.
1--WE will GO the u~ntraveled road, Rose"
he said, ''for have important things to
speak of, and do not wish to be disturbed. -
She walked along silently by his side,
her heart beating with love and excite
ment.
81 was just thinking" she remarked,
presently, as they passed the old school
house, chow my old teachers used to love
me, and how d~isregsrded their wishes. 3"
Rose, no one could know you without
loving you, aud l love you more than any
of them did"
She was silent, and felt her heart futter
q little. They walked on for a short dis
lance around the hill to the big bridge, and
leaned on the railing.
His arm fell gently on her shoulder, and
he whispered as he pressed a kiss to her
brow, "Wil you be happy with me, darl-
ing"
Her only answer was her head laid gen,
tly on his shoulder.
1t was a long time before the lovers
ended their talk.
She came home to dream of bliss never
before known to her, he to study a better
way 10 reach fame, and perhaps Blanche
Sharp.
This is the way life goes. The thing
we didn't get, is always the sweetest, snC
that which we cannot have, we want most