The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-01-03
CHAPTER II.

gled 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 empty 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 triAed with.
They had to work harder than they had
ever done before; but they did not grum-
bic. They literally worshipped their school
mistress and would no more have thought
of disobeying her than of disputing the
rauthority 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 Grayling 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 though it worth
while to trouble good Mrs. Piggin, and his
counsels were invariably received with a
charming Difference.
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 Graylings
auspices 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 to her. By degrees, however, this
wore off; and he came to look forward to
Wednesday afternoons as pleasant inter
ludes in his rather monotonous weeks He,
too, was solicitous for the new teachers
mental pabulum, and lent her books, be-
ginning with popular history books, going
on to Sunday afternoon tales, and finally
reaching the stage of undeniably yellow
backed novels. Miss Grayling smiled to
herself as she placed Mr.. Cope's "Orley
Farm" in her desk beside Mr. Dowth-
waite's "ChrOnicles of the Schonberg- Gotta
Family"
But everybody liked Miss Grayling. The
children's mothers looked on her as a su-
perior being. Even cross old Miss Sower-
butts, at the Mount Farm, liked to have
her go 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's
sister-in-law.
"Don't you think We were very fortu-
nate in getting such superior mistress in
Mrs. Piggins place p said the rector TO
his sister-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, in
rather magisterial way, as if to resent the
impeachment of an undue partiality for
Miss Graylipg, which was visible in Miss
Jordan's face.
''The boys don't make half so much
noise in going out of church before the
sermon as they used to do, continued the
parson.
"Ive no doubt the young woman is very
well fitted for her place" said Miss Jordan.
"Dear me |" said the recter to himself,
otis odd how few women can forgive an
other woman, in somewhat lower rank of
life, for having pretty face and an attrac-
tive mannerp' Whatever the reason, it
was plain that Miss Jordan was not capti-
waited 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
Mount Farm, by invitation, to drink tea
with Miss Sowerbutts. 1t was u Thurs
day-a day when the farmer always at
tended market at the neighboring town of
Groby.
81 must make haste and get home be-
fore dark" said Miss Grayling, as the day
began to close; and sic went up to put on
her bonnet. The operation, however, took
some little time, as it was diversified by
an exhibition of Miss Sowerbutts's mo-
theirs wedding dress, and various other
pieces of raiment of quite remote an
tiquity, in all of which Miss Grayling took
keen interest.
~ declare it's getting quite dark, ex-
claimed the schoolmistress at last, as she
threw on her hat in great hurry and
went down stairs with her hostess. Ar
rived in the garden, however, it was i'm
possible to go without morsel of Mrs.
Sowerbutt's delicious sweet-briar; the peas,
too, were in most interesting state of
development, and by the time they had
been duly admired the farmers burly form
was seen slowly advancing between the
hedge-rows, borne onward by his gig and
his good mare jess.
Certainly Miss Grayling looked a pretty
figure as she stood at the porch of the
farmhouse shaking hands with its mistress
"Well, Miss, and how are ye ?" said Mr..
Sowerbutts, with a very red face, as he
leaned out of the gig to shake hands with
his sisters visitor.
every WE'LL thank you, But must say
oood avanino 7 raalIv Yonst ,,at bon,o H.