Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-08-13


he Is the best checker player IN the county
Can he beat me-
The question meant a good deal With
a reckless flash of her great gray eyes. and
dropping into the Michigan country dia
lect winch the schoolmaster had labored
months to eradicate, she answered
" NJ HIM Beat the boots off N YOU
The schoolmaster was furious lie took
the checkerboard and flung it into the
stove The books were about TO follow,
when he felt little hand laid on his arm,
and, turning, saw Hattie, with tears in her
eyes. DON'T she said IL should
be lonesome without without the books.
The schoolmaster dropped the books and
kissed his pupil
Then the little hypocrite assumed an AIR
of mighty dignity and said. The school
laws don't allow that form of punish
ment.'
Are you going to marry that fellow"
he asked, peremptorily.
81 don know.
"Wlll YOU marry me-
With a drolI little smile she replied.
''lf YOU please Mr. Field. that isn't in
today $ lesson
As that was all the satisfaction he could
get he went To consult with her father
"Mell schuolmaster. said the old gen
tlemeu, firmly, "Hattle ha. explained the
hull thing 10 me " mem Bib Is here she
thinks she likes him best. and when YOU re
here she sort % cottOn- to- Won most.
Now. why don't YOU and him play game
OF checkers To decide lt-wiuuer take the
giri-eh.'
81 agree to that replied the teacher
The proposition was submitted to Hattie
and she after some consideration. accepted
"Now. Won mustn't take no advantage
of E,l said the farmer Hes comm
Christmas eve. am wei. have the game
then. an the weddlu aftervarj You
mustn't keep Hattie after school, nor come
here To- see her till then.
The schoolmaster got a new checker
board that night, and every evening he
studied alone. carefully noting tie moves
of the great game, in IN, books
Science will tell, he said TO himself
THESE games were played by champions
and the results are certain as fate.
AT last the eventfu day came. and at
= o'clock the schoolmaster went to the
Bates residence.
There was a Jolly crowd of neighbors
present The old house was overlooking
Mighty preparations were gong on III the
kitchen, and the smell of roast turkey and
coffee was everywhere.
The minister was there-a nervous little
man in an uncomfortable black suit. The
teachers rival came few minutes later.
Then Farmer Bates took the floor
"Neighbors an friends, he began ora
torically, u s'pose you know that the
schoolmaster and Bill Keller here are goin
TO play a game of checkers for my girl
Hattie Now, I'll point Dave Nash an
[ ncle Tommy Blk to be empires an YOU
all understand that II anyone makes any
suggestion on the game it'll all have to
be PLAYED over The weddin II Toe right
after the game an then we Il have supper.
Place YOUR men. empires,
The rivals were seated. and the board
placed between them
Here Hattie the farmer called
you set here where they can both see YOU
an then they'll know what they re playu
for"
Hattie gave timid greeting to the two
Young men. and took the seat indicated
Then the great game began.
The schoolmaster played slowly, relating
every move 10 some game played 10y the
old champions Bill Keller played with a
dash that had carried him of victor IN
countless contests
The spectators crowded around them,
breathless at first, then as the game slowly
progressed, making whispered comments
one of the older women sang a little,
softly, and some one IN the background
whlstled part of a popular air. The ''em-
pires watched the board closely.
Ii was a great game, and It Is a pity that
a record of the moves was not kept. When
the thirteenth move was made. the old
farmer blurted out; by gum til be a
draw
Now the schoolmaster, who was playing
the black, was preparing TO move ID, Tor
his thirty first move. His hand lowered
over the piece, but still he hesitated. just
then Hattie began whistling a queer little
tune.
Much surprised the schoolmaster paused.
well, Hattie, that is the dumdest tune
/ ever heard, said her father
That is a tune, replied Hattie, slowly
and distinctly, that has fitty-nine varia-
tons
The schooimaster was Just touching the
piece but that word variations stopped
him. He stole a quick glance at her, but
she was looking resolutely at the carpet
Must be the tune the old cow died on,
laughed the farmer. Which variation
was you whisthn'f
IL was whistin the fourteenth varia-
AlDll' aLt dllnN eltNA
The strong color surged up over the
schoolmaster's pale face. The Laird and
Lady had ffty-nine variations given in
his book, and there on the board before
him was the identical situation that he and
Hattie had noticed and studied IN the four
teenth variation.
Now he remembered Wylhe's wonderful
play of lG-2O and black to win.
Holding his breath, he made the move
Lost the game, schoolmaster! shouted
the old farmer, but the schoolmaster con
troled the moves
Again, l4-23, and every checker-player
stared in amazement Again, 20-2I, and
then it slowly dawned on them that the
teacher had won the game by a series of
remarkable moves.
One more move, and then the piece on
went the ''long jump removing three
pieces and winning the game.
The players rose, and the people crowded
around tire successful one, with hearty con
gratulations.
Bill Keller slipped into the hall unob-
served and after putting on his great over
coat, cap, and huge lambskin mittens,
made his way out and started for the sta
bles As he passed the kitchen door Edna
caua out and stonpad him