The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1905-03-08

Il hurrleu ana, as he
raised his hat, saw this girl withdraw
Il small hand from a mittcn and offer
1t to him.
81 am very glad to meet you, Mr..
Nason." il said with q bright smile;
"my brother has told me so much
about YOU I feel almost acquainted"
And then, turning to that brother, she
added, III have the horse hitched out
side, Bert, so we will go right home"
She led the way, and when they had
slowed their belongings IN the sleigh
she said, "You can hold me In your
lap, Bert, and ri drive. I'm used to
1t now" She chirruped TO the rather
docile horse, and as the bells began
to Jingle she added, what have you
got TN that box, BertfeF"
"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell
you no hbs, Miss Ourlous," he an.
seVered WAT until tomorrow, and
then I'll show Soa."
When tlioy drove into the yard no
said: "Take Frang right In, sfs, and
IN unharness"
= was quite DARK now, but Fvank
noticed as he gathered up the bags
NbN. puilbito YIN IOIioMGu Ills HOStpSS
that the rather stately house was
nglow with light.
"Leave your hat am coat here In
the hall. Mr.. Nasonf" she sufd cordial
ly, "and go right into the parlor and
get warm. You Will kindly excuse
me now. I'm first Ind second girl,
houscmaid ana cook, and / must 20
| and help Aunt Susan to get supper
ready. You two gentlemen are hun
CRY, I'm surc.h
1t WAS not u formal reception, but
1t was II cordial one, which was bet
ter, and when Frank entered the par
lor he was surprised ut the cheerful
sight, for the room was festconed all
around with ropes Of evergreen. The
long mautel over the fireplace, bright
with flames, was banked with Il mass
Of green, and against each white lace
curtain hung n wreath. In one corner
stood an upright piano, in sharp con
trast with the rather antique hair
cloth chairs and sofa. Tie had just
drawn 4 chair to the fire when Albert
came In ana gave n low whistle at the
sight of the decorations. THAT'S one
Of the perquisites OF n country school.
mo'am,h he observed, "and III bet the
boys shat gathered all this green for
Alice enjoyed getting It. I used to
when l was II boy. Well, old fellow"
he added, addressing Frank, there 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 ana eggs and
fried potatoes, Aunt Susan served the
ounce preserves and passed the hot
biscuit and Alice poured the tea. The
table, too, had n Christmas touch, for
around the mat where the lamp stood
was n green wreath frightened with
clusters of red berries. II WIS all q
charming picture, and not the least of
1t was the fair girl who so graciously
played the hostess. When the meal
was pvcr sho said;
Now You two gentlemen must go
into the parlor and smoke, and I'll join
you later. l command you to smoke"
she added imperiously, "for i want the
house 10 smoll us if there was n man
around"
When she came in later, wearing her
new house dress, She drew her chair
close to hcr brothers and, resting her
elbows on his knee and her chin in her
open palms, she looked up and said
with a witching smile:
"Now, BERTHE, I've done all ] could for
your comfort, ST now please tell me
what Is in that long, fiat box you
brought
you are a bcwitching coaXcr, sis"
he answered, "but / am hard hearted.
I'll make Il trade with YOU, though.
First tell us all about our school
teaching INT sing us all the songs /
ask for, aud then I'll open The box
"Iuu are very modest in Your wants."
she replied archly, "but, like all mon,
you must be humorcd to keep you good
natured, | presume"
81 wish you would tell us about your
school, Miss Page" put In Frank. you
are not a bit like the schoolma'am of
my boyhoOd, and l would like to know
how YOU manage children"
well, it was IL little hard at first"
she answered, "for boys anu girls of
I ~ WV llslNS III l4lolllbIN httIl
lntuitions, and it seemed TO me they
made a study of my face from the first
and concluded / was soft hearted. /
had one little boy that was II born mis-
chief maker, but he had such winsome
ways | had 10 love him In spite OF 1t.
Eut he had to be punished some way,
and SO n day 1 kept him after school
and then told him / must whip him
hard, but not at that time. l explained
to him what / was going TO punish him
for, but l said, y shall not do it to-
night. / may do II tomorrow or tho
day after, but 1 will not tell you when
the whipping is to come until / am
ready to do IT. My little plan was a
success, for the next night lie waited
till all the rest had gone and then came
TO mo with tears in his eyes and begged
me TO whip him then. / didn't, though,
and told him / wouldn't until he dis,
obcycd again. He has been the most
obcdicnt 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 L received
your letter, Bert, / was so happy that
the school ran riot, and / never knew
it. They must have seer it in my face,
L think. Well, when school was out
this girl, Il shy little body of ten, sided
up TO my desk and said, 'Pleath may |
kith you, teacher, fore / 90 homer 1t
was such an odd and pretty bit of feel,
To- "a IL. - q.