The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-10-13

,
cry, Pm sure"
It was not formal reception, but
it was a cordial one, which was bet
ter, and when Frank entered the par
lor he was surprised at the cheerful
sight, for the room was festooned all
around with ropes of evergreen. The
long mantel over the fireplace, bright
with flames, was banked with a mass
of green, and against each white lace
curtain hung wreath. In one corner
stood an upright piano, in sharp con-
trast with the rather antique hair
cloth chairs and sofa. He had just
drawn a chair to the fire when Albert
came in and gave low whistle at the
sight of the decorations. ''Thats one
of the perquisites of country school.
ma'am," he observed, "and I'll bet the
boys that gathered all this green for
Alice enjoyed getting it. I used to
when I was a boy. Well, old fellow"
he added, addressing Frank, ''here we
are, and you must make yourself at
home"
Then Alice came in and announced
supper, and after Aunt Susan had been
introduced they all sat down. 1t was
an old fashioned meal, for, while the
brother helped to the ham and eggs and
fried potatoes, Aunt Susan served the
ounce preserves and passed the hot
biscuit and Alice poured the tea. The
table, too, had a Christmas touch, for
around the mat where the lamp stood
was a green wreath frightened with
clusters Of red berries. 1t was all a
charming picture, and not the least of
it was the fair girl who so graciously
played the hostess When the meal
was over she said:
''Now you two gentlemen must go
into the parlor and smoke, and I'll join
you later. 1 command you to smoke
she added imperiously, ''for want the
house to smell as if there was man
around"
When she came in later, wearing her
new house dress, she drew her chair
close to her brothers and, resting her
elbows on his knee and her chin in her
open palms, she looked up and said
with witching smile:
"Now, BERTHE, I've done all I could for
your comfort so now please tell me
what is in that long, fiat box you
brought"
'You are bewitching coaxer, SIS"
he answered, "but am hard hearted.
I'll make a trade with you, though.
First tell us all about your school,
teaching and sing us all the songs I
ask for, and then I'll open the box"
"You are very modest in your wants."
she replied archly, "but, like all men,
you must be humored to keep you good
natured, presume"
"I'wish you would tell us about your
school, Miss Page. put in Frank. .'You
are not bit like the 'schoolma am Of
my boyhood, and would like to know
how you manage children"
"Well, it was a little hard at first"
she answered, "for boys and girls of
ten and twelve have surprisingly keen
intuitions, and it seemed to me they
made study of my face from the first
and concluded was soft hearted.
had one little boy that was born mis-
chief maker, but he had such winsome
ways had to love him in spite of it.
But he had to be punished some way,
and so one day kept him after school
and then told him I must whip him
hard, but not at that time. 1 explained
to him what was going to punish him
for, but l said, L shall not do it to-
night. l may do it tomorrow or the
day after, but l will not tell you when
the whipping is to come until I am
ready to do it. My little plan was
success, for the next night he waited
till all the rest had gone and then came
to me with tears in his eyes and begged
me to whip him then. I. didn't, though,
and told him wouldn't until he dis
obeyed again. He has been the most
obedient boy in the school ever since
There is one little girl who has won
my heart, though, in the oldest way
you can imagine. The day I received
your letter, Bert, 1 was so happy that
the school ran riot, and I never knew
it. They must have seen it in my face,
1 think. Well, when school was out
this girl, a shy little body of ten, sided
up to my desk and said, 'Pleath may l
kith you, teacher, fore go home? 1t
was such an odd and pretty bit of feel
ing it nearly brought tears to my eyes,"
Il should like to give that little girl
box Of candy, Miss Page" observed
Frank, 'and then ask her for a kiss
myself" ......... .............,..
For an hour Alice kept both the
young men interested in her anecdotes
Of school teaching. and then her broth
er said:
Come sis, you must sing some, or no
box 'tonightv' ,.-'-r.-
''Well." she replied, smiling, what
shall it be-a few gems from Moody
and Sankey or from Laurel Leaves?"
And then, turning to Frank, she added,
MY brother just dotes on church mu-
Sic"
''Alice," said her brother, with mock
sternness, 'if you fb like that you
know the penalty!'
do you play or sing, Mr.. Nason?"
she inquired, not needing her brother.
II do not know one note from an,
other" he answered.