Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-03-06
CHAPTER II-(Continued.,

ing-the singing teacher smiled and gave
her a genteel bow. This act gave Mamie
a certain distinction among the other
girls, and pleased her so much that she
became radiant all in a moment. Dick
saw the effect it had on her, and shut
his teeth hard together. In some way he
felt that there was to be trouble between
him and the singing teacher Other young
men saw the bow and the smile which
the stranger bestowed ON Mamie and
the look with which she responded, and
nudged one another. with sly look at
Dick. All OF which. of course, had
tendency to make him feel as serene as
May morning.
The whole Notwithstanding by that
everybody living within two or three
miles of the school house-had turned out
on this momentous occasion. The ages
OF the audience ranged from three months
60 seventy years.
4 presume that all who are likely to
take part in the singing school, if organ
lied, are here" the young man said, as
ne rose and made graceful, easy little
bow to his audience. and walked out in
front Of the rude desk. Instantly deep
silence reigned. The noisy whispers of
the women were broken off in the mid
die of the sentence, and the men ceased
their louder but less peEvading talk. The
young men turned their eyes from the
girls to the speaker. aud the young girls
forgot all about the existence Of the
young men, for the time.
My name is Maxfeld Wayne he said,
as be became sure of the attention of his
audience. II have been spending the
summer, so far. in this State, partly for
pleasure, partly for profit" Here a lit
tie smile was noticed to curl the corners
Of his mouth. None Of his audience I'M
ierstood what there was in the words he
had Just spoken or the thoughts they
suggested that prompted the smile but
remembered in later days, and, viewed in
the light of after events, they knew what
he was thinking of when this remark was
made. Il have come here partly out of
curiosity to see life in the backwoods,
partly because / thought could pick mp
Il living here for Il little while as well
as elsewhere" Again that peculiar smile,
as IT, to him, the words had hidden
meaning. Il would like to employ the
time / spend among you in some profita-
bic way. | have taught singing school,
and thought perhaps you might like to
have school here for a few weeks. /
shall be glad to hear from anyone on the
subject"
Deacon Snyder" called out some one
ia he audience.
Instantly calls for The deacon resomd-
90 from all parts of the house.
The deacon, having been a singing
teacher OF the primitive type down
East" was considered standard author
ity on musical matters. He rose and
said in a wheezy voice that was some
thing like the tone of an asthmatic ac-
Gordon. that he had Ted the singin',
oH'n on, ever since he'd been in Browns
vile, an afore, in other parts o. the
kcntry, an he felt free to say that the
brownsville young people had as good
voices as you'd be apt to find in any
place Of its size, but, like other facilities
of the human bein'. they needed cultivat
in Fer his part he was not only in
favor Of school, though he didn't know
as it would of much benefit to him, but,
the Lord willin'. he'd do what he could
"a help it along, for he considered sing
IN a means o glorifyin' God, an our
talons hadn't ought to be left to rust an
corrupt"
Then with i flourish of his red bandan-
ma and a blast on his Roman nose like
the sound of a war trumpet, he sat down,
conscious that his remarks had preserved
his reputation as very ready and forci-
bic off-hand speaker on all public occa-
sions.
Il motion that a couple o young men
20 round an see how many air willin'
10 take holt an do suthin' am how much
they'll give lords s'portin' school,"
said the deacon's neighbor, after a little
consultation with him.
This suggestion seemed to meet with
unanimous favor, and two young men
were appointed to canvass the audience
for subscribers to a singing school fund.
The result was that n sufficient amount
was pledged to make the school a GER
tainty.
Let it be understood, then" announc-
ed Mr.. Wayne, that the term will begin
tomorrow evening at seven o'clock, and
that there will be a session every other
evening, Sunday excepted, till the com
pletion of the term"
Mamie fingered with group of girls
near the desk where the singing teacher
stood, talking with some of the young
men, casting sidelong glances at him, and
wishing he would come and speak to her;
hut he was too busily engaged, and she
had to be satisfied with a smile and a
nod. Dick came up and asked her il she
was ready TO go home, and she took his
arm and they left the school house.
She was not inclined to talk about
such matters as seemed TO interest Dick
most. but waxed eloquent over the sing
ing school and its handsome teacher.
Dick, of course, did not take great deal
OF interest in such conversation, but tried
to put on smiling face, and not let her
see how jealous he was beginning to be.
OF course, he failed in the attempt. Nan
ME had keen eyes and was woman,
and she saw that it nettled him to have
TO listen TO her praises of Mr.. Wayne,
therefore she kept on talking about him.
thus securing the double satisfaction of
expressing her really honest admiration
of the stranger. and making Dick as I'M
comfortable as possible.
Il don't like the looks of him." Dick
said. as he got ready for bed. He looks
10 me like a man who's determined TO
have his own way, right or wrong. and
rather than not have il. il he once makes
up his mind to it. he'll do anything mean
or undcrhand 10 carry out his plan"