The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-06-07

l whca John Walker was left = wld.
/ over, although he was 10 the prime Of
I manhood. with comfortable Income
aud good habits. II was universally
/ prcdicted that he could never win q
second wife.
For what manner Of woman that Ia,
OF the type fastldious John Walker
would fancy could contemplate the
I prospect OF stepmotherlns seven aaush.
ters ranging Ia age from pert thirteen
10 precoclous fonri
IL the children had been boya John
Walkers prospects would have been
more favorable. for a squad OF boys
can he turned nheld. but seven girls
10 hear and heed until they should
come to an age when they would with
their lords DEPART
John Walker was domestic. and after
two years OF widowerhood he began TO
yearn for a goddess OF his hearth and
home. The Affairs OF his household
had not been administered no badly
since his wife died. The cook was Gu.
pable and honest and had been reign
Ing over the kitchen for eight years.
The seamstrcss. who had always spent
a month each spring and autumn sew
ine up" for the young Walkers. contin.
ued her visits, with the added respon-
slbllity of selecting and purchasing
material
The eldest girl. Madge. was promis'
Ing to be quite practical little house
keeper but John Walker knew that
wise feminine hand and heart were es'
sentlal to the guidance Of his active.
romping, unruly troop OF youngsters.
He began 10 call assiduously upon
Cecilia Raync, young woman re
nowned for her intellect, practically
and excellent judgment She accepted
his attentions, though reservedly. and
with a general air OF careful consider.
atlon and weighing In the balance
His intentions were regarded as un'
mistakable when he invited her. with
her mother. 10 visit his home and drink
ten one afternoon. The children on this
fateful day had never been no noisy or
unattractive. Even Madge was bols-
terous and untldy.
John Walker did not know that II
was malice aforethought on the part
of his offspring. Madge was preco-
cIous and acute eared. She had heard
It said that John Walker would marry
iust as soon as he could find any one
to have him. She had sized up Miss
Rayne as n home ruler, and In the
mother OF Miss Rayne she scented q
natural enemy.
SO she lnstigated and encouraged re-
bellion In her many sisters, and their
department carried the day. John
Walker escorted his guests TO their
home and returned with the firm In.
tention OF administering unto his own
something stronger than rebuke.
lie found his flock white robed and
sweet voiced, awaiting with uplifted
mouths his good night caress. and he
could not bring himself to mar their
slumbers by so much as a word.
"If she only could have seen them ns
they are now" be thought, with re.
gretful sigh.
Madge's busy little brain worked
overtime that night on the solution OF
the stepmothcr problem. A day or
two after the eventful visit OF Miss
Cecilia Rayne, as John Walker was
passing little park, he met two or
three kindergarten teachers walking
with their young charges. He gave
them but casual glance, when his
attention was attracted by a delighted
cry OF "Papav'
The iitiitiiest ana last child In the pro-
cession let go Of the hand OF the young
girl with whom she was walking and
rushed up to him.
"wby, Tot" he said. taking her up
In his arms.
Then be looked hesltatingly at the
young teacher, who was walking ON
slowly.
"You must be Mr.. Walker" she said
naIyely. 81 am Tots kindergarten
teacher"
"Are youf" be asked lnterestedly. Il
didn't know that Tot attended a kin
dergarten.'
"Didn't your she asked anxiously.
"Madge brought her TO school yester-
day and entered her MS a pupil. sup
posed II was your wish"
"Of course II is," he replied prompt
Iy. "only hadn't thought OF 1t before.
am glad Mndge is 80 wise"
1--WE learned lots, papa. I'm going
to prick you card" assured Tot.
"Thank YOU darling. Where ID your
school, Miss
"worden,' she said, supplying the
name. "rbe school IL on the corner OF
Wood and Third streets, three blocks
below. Are you fond OF children, Mr..
walker?" she asked, looking up at the
princess enthroned on his shoulder
Naturally he said, with whim-
Ecnl smile
She flushed and laughed a little.
Come and visit our school some
time. then"
II win walk there with you now"
he responded promptly, setting Tot
down on the sidewalk.
The child instantly appropriated
hand Of each guardian and skipped
along between them.
"Who takes her TO and from schoolT
be asked, remembering the automobiles
and trolley cars.
) "Madge has 30 far"
"Madgc said You could stop for me
moons on your way home 10 luncheon,
said the little girl.
why, yes, so can. How dld hadge
know Of your school. Miss Worden"
@oh, Madge and I are old friends.
tive music lessons afternoons and her
inseparablc companion, Grace Landon,
is one Of my pupils"
II wish you would give Msdge les
sons too Her teacher left the city
some time ago, and have neglected 70
/ have her start again"
4 Il should he glad % teach her" said
The girl simply.
"yery well You may commence To-
morrow. II Agreeable, and give hsr two
4 lessons week"
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