Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-06-25
BY MARY j. HOLMES
CHAPTER xI

on the west by long, steep hill, where
the acorns and wild grapes grew, Mary
Howard taught little flock of twenty
FIVE, coaxing some. urging others and
teaching them all by her kind words and
winsome ways to love her as they had
never before loved an instructor.
When first she was proposed as a
teacher in Rice Corner, Widow Perkins.
and a few others who had no children to
send, held up their hands in amazement.
wondering what the world was comm,
to, and if the committeeman, Mr.. Knight,
s'posed they was goin' to be rid over
roughshod by town pauper; but she
couldn't get -stiffeut, for the orthodox
minister. wouldn't give her one; and if
he did, the Unitarian minister wouldn'tr'
Accordingly, when it was known that
the ordeal had been passed and that
Mary had in her possession piece of pa
per about three inches square, authoriz-
ing her to teach common district school,
this worthy conclave concluded that
"either everybody had lost their senses
or else Miss Mason, who was present at
the examination, had sat by and whis-
pered in her ear the answers to all hard
questions"
I'm all my born days never seen any
thing like it." said the widow, as she
distributed her green tea, sweetened with
brown sugar, to a party of ladies, which
she was entertaining. 'But you'll see,
she won't keep her time morn half out
Sally Ann, pass them nutcakes. No
body's goin' to send their children to a
pauper. There's Miss Bradley says she'll
take her'n out the first time they get
licked. Have some more sass, Miss
Dodge. l want 1t eat up, for l believe
; it's a-workin'-but l telled her that
:. .warn't the trouble, Mary's too softly te
hurt a miskeeter. And so young, too
It's government she'll lack in. If any
body'll have a piece of this dried apple
pie, I'll cut it.
- Fortunately, Mary knew nothing oi
Mrs. Perkins displeasure, and nevcl
dreamed that any feeling existed toward
her save that of perfect friendship. Since
we last saw her, she had grown into
; fine, healthy looking girl. Her face ant
figure were round and full, and her com
plexion, though still rather pale, wa,
clear as marble, contrasting well will
her llark-brown hair and eyes, which n,
longer seemed unnaturally large. Still
she was not beautiful, it is true, and ye
Billy was not far from right when b
called her the finest looking girl in Chico
pee; and it was for this reason, perhaps
that Mrs. Campbell watched with jeal
ousy.
Every possible pains had been take
with Elias education. The best teach
ers had been hired to instruct her, an
she was now at fashionable seminary
but still she did not possess one-half tn
ease and gracefulness of manner whic
seemed natural to her sister. The tw
girls had seen but little of each other
and oftentimes when Ella met her siste
= she merely acknowledged her presenc
by nod or simple ''how dye do?"
When she heard that Mary was to b
a teacher she said "she was glad, for
was more respectable than going into
factory or working out" Mrs. Campbell
too, felt in duty bound to express he
pleasure adding that "she hoped Mar
would give satisfaction, but twas e1
tremely doubtful, she was so young, an
possessed Of so little dignity!'
Unfortunately Widow Perkins red CO
tage stood directly opposite the schot
house; and as the widow belonged to tbs
stirring few who always "wash th
breakfast dishes and make the beds b.
fore anyone is up in the house, she ha
ample leisure to watch and report Q
the proceedings of the new teacher. Nov
Mrs. Perkins clock was like its mi
tress, always half an hour in advant
of the true time, and Mary had scarcel
taught week ere Mr.. Knight, '4the cor
mitteeman," was duly hailed in the sire
fo1
: lookin' to, for she didn't begin no NOR
in till half-past nine, nor no afternot
till half-past one! Besides that" 81
added, Il think she gives 'em too long
play spell. Anyways, seems eff some
'em was out o. doors the hull time'
Mr.. knight had too much good sen
to heed the widows complaints, and
merely replied: .'I'm glad ont FL
hours is enough to keep little shave
cramped up in the house-glad ont"
The widow, thus foiled in her attemp
at making disturbance, finally gave
the strife. contenting herself with gu
zing the older girls, and asking them
Mary could do all the hard sums in art
metfc, or whether she took them hor
for Mrs. Mason to solve!
In spite, however, of these little q
noyances, Mary was contented and ha
py. She knew that her pupils loved ht
and that the greater part of the distri
:. were satisfied, SO she greeted the wide
with her pleasantest smile, and by
ways being particularly polite, fnal
Overcame her prejudice to considerat
:, extent.
One afternoon about the middle
July, as Mrs. Perkins was seated by
q front window engaged in 'stitchi
shoes" very common employment
some parts Of New England, her atts
tion was suddenly diverted by a tt
stylish-looking young man, who, drivi
his handsome horse and buggy und
the shadow of the apple trees, alight
., and entered into conversation with
group of little girls who were taking tn
usual recess. Mrs. Perkins curiosity "
aroused, and Sally Ann was called
see who the stranger was. But for
wonder Sally Ann didn't know, thou
she GUESSED the boss was one of
East Chicopee livery"
Hes talkin' to Liddy Knight" 81
5sszshe, at the same time holding back 4
curtain and stepping aside SO as not
be visible herself.
"Try if you can hear what he's sayir
whispered Mrs. Perkins; but a class
< boys in the school house just then strr
into the multiplication table, thus eff
tually drowning anything which Sa
Ann might otherwise have heard.