The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1893-11-30


and think | understand them, and get
ON well with them. l think when you
have a child of your own, you are able
to manage other peoples children; and
you love all children better, don't your
well, don't know" said Mrs. Bod
dington, lazily, II find other peoples
children the most dreadful bore; but
then my own are bores too, sometimes
What can you teach, Mrs. Lilly?"
Then Bell went through the catalogue
of her accomplishments, with Il MKT
ure of gravity and shamefacedness
which was pretty to see.
mo music, Mrs. LillyT'
mo music" answered Bell, resolutely.
She began to fear that the lack of
music might lose her this chance; but
none the less was she determined to
give it up rather than interfere with
Barney. Il don't teach music; but il
you want your children taught music,
know such a very clever person." she
added, timidly.
''Oh, no, thank you, don't think 1t
is worth while. My children are so
young, and very likely they wouldn't
like it; and they would make such an
ugly noise at first. No, really l don't
think the music matters at ALL"
Bell felt heartily relieved to hear it.
Mrs. BOddingtOn proceeded to state
that she had two children, a boy and
girl; that they were aged respectively
seven and nine, and that they had had
very little teaching hitherto. She sup
posed she would have to send them to
school by and by, but it was so trouble
some to find just such a school as she
needed; and so for the present, and as
long as they remained in Coddington,
she thought a daily governess, ito keep
them quiet for a few hours every day,
you know; they are too tiresome when
they are absolutely idle" would be the
best thing for them.
"Oh, you are not going to stay in
Coddington always, then" said Bell, in
timid, disappointed tone.
Dear me, hope not! returned Mrs.
BoddingtOn. And now about salary.
What are your terms, Mrs. Lilly?"
Bell named the terms she had agreed
upon with Barney, and they seemed to
her so extremely modest in contrast
with the evidence of wealth in Mrs.
BOddington's house and dress, and
with the amount Of labor that was re-
quired for them, that Bell had a half
formed childish expectation that Mrs.
BOddingtOn, on hearing her demand,
would eXclaim, ooh, that is much too
little, Mrs Lilly. 1t would not be fair
to offer you such sum for four hours
instruction." or something to that
effect. What Mrs. BOddington really
did say however, was, "Oh, well, I
don't know. Yes; I suppose that is not
too much, considering the distance
from the town. But hope you will be
very punctual, please, if 1 give those
terms. It's a good deal of money for
such young children"
Mrs. Jack took her leave, having
agreed to teach Master and Miss Bod
dington during four hours every morn
ing, from o'clock a. m. to 1 o'clock
p. M, and to enter on her duties the
following day.
The two gentlemen had finished their
game meanwhile, and had left the
room by the lawn window. When Bell
came out at the front door she found
a very pretty little basket phaeton and
pair of spirited ponies waiting on
| the drive. A servant was holding the
ponies heads, and Mr.. Boddington and
his brother-in=laW were about to get
into the vehicle. Mr.. Boddington whis-
pered word or two to the other man,
and said:
I'VE are driving into town, Mrs Lilly.
Won't you allow me to spare you the
hot, dusty walk? Pray let me drive
| you to your home"
Bell hesitated an instant, and looked
| at the other gentleman, who bowed
and muttered something about taking
the back seat. He did not seem par
ticularly gracious, or anxious for the
honor of Mrs. Jacks company. How
| ever, the brother-in-law settled the
matter by handing Mrs. Jack into the
vehicle.
''Will you drive, Roberto" he said,
pausing before getting into the car
rage himself.
NO" answered the bronze-faced
man. Il shall sit in Benson's place.
You needn't come, Benson. Give them
their heads"
The servant stood on one side, the
elder gentleman took his place at the
back, the joIly-looking individual, who
| Bell thought, so much resembled his
sister, seated himself beside Mrs Jack,
and in q moment she was rolling
smoothly along the road to Coddington
at a quick pace.
Mrs. Jack did not find her compan-
ion very conversational, but he was
good-natured and laughed a good deal
at small jokes and droye the ponies
with undeniable skill. Poor Bell was
thankful to be spared the hot, dusty
walk back to town, and was not dis
posed to be too critical ON the person
who had had the kind thought of spar.
ing it to her.
Il wish Mr.. Boddington was as good
humOred and easy-going as his brother.
in-law," she thought to herself when
the old gentleman sprang out of the
carriage at Old street to assist her to
alight.' HE Is very polite, certainly;
a better bred man than the other, per.
haps But there is something so serious
and stern about his eyes when he looks
at you. wonder why he married that
little roundabout, lazy woman! I won.
der if she is afrait1 OF himl think
should be-"