The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-07-12
DARREL Of THE
BLESSED ISLES
BY IRVING BACHELLER,
Author Of "Ebsn Holden" "Dri Ind l." Etc.
COPYRIGHT, PUBLISHING COMPANY
Author Of "Ebsn Holden" "D'ri

tne DOHe WIFI sweat una tOll, 100 weary
often to eat the bread they have earn
ed; when I see their children dying of
consumption from excess of labor and
pork fat. forget the slaves Of man
and think only of these wretched slaves
of God"
But Polly was not of them the teach
er pitied. She was bit discontented,
but surely she was cheerful and well
fed. God gave her beauty, and the
widow saw 1t and put her own strength
between the curse and the child. Polly
had her task every day, but Polly had
her way also In too many things and
became a bit selfish, as might have
been expected. But there was some
thing very sweet and fine about Polly.
They were plain clothes she wore, but
nobody save herself and mother gave
them any thought. Who, seeing her
big. laughing eyes, her finely modelled
face. with cheeks pink and dimpled,
her shapely, white teeth, her mass Of
dark hair, crowning form tall and
straight as an arrow, could see any
thing but the merry hearted Polly?
Miss Vaughn, you will please re-
main a few moments after school,"
said the teacher one day near A o'clock.
Twice she had been caught whispering
that day with the young girl who sat
behind her. Trove had looked down,
stroking his little mustache thought
fully, and made no remark. The girl
had gone to work, then, her cheeks red
with embarrassment.
~ wish you'd do me q favor. Miss
Polly" said the teacher when they
were alone.
She blushed deeply and sat looking
down as she fused with her handker-
chief. She was bit frightened by the
serious air Of that big young man.
"It isn't much," he went on. "rd
like you to help me teach little. To-
morrow morning shall make a map
on the blackboard, and while I am
doing 1t I'd like you to conduct the
school. When you have finished with
the primer class I'll be ready to take
hold again."
She had puzzled look.
~ thought you were going to punish
me-" she answered. smiling.
"For whatf" he inquired.
"Whisperlng," said she.
"Oh, yes! But you have read Walter
Scott. and you know ladies' are to be
honored. not punished. I shouldn't
know how to do such thing. When
you've become u teacher you'll see I'm
right about whispering. May I walk
home with your"
Polly had then very serious look.
She turned away. biting her lip. In
brief struggle for self mastery.
"If you care to-" she whispered.
They walked away In silence.
do you dancer she inquired pres
emily.
"No, save attendance on your pleas
ure," said he "Will you teach meT
as there anything can teach your
She looked up at him playfully.
wisdom" said he quickly. "and how
to preserve blueberries and make bis
cult like those you gave US when I
came to tea. As to dancing-well,
fear I am not shaped for sportive
tricks.'"
"If you'll stay this evening"" said
she. "we'll have some more Of my
blueberries and biscuit, and then, II
you care to, we'll try dancing"
you'll give me lessonT he asked
eagerly.
"If you'd care to have me-"
agreed; but first let us have the
blueberries and biscuit" said he hearth
ly as they entered the door. "Hello,
Mrs. Vaughn. l came over to help you
eat supper. have 1t all planned.
Paul is to set the table. I'm to peel the
potatoes and fry the pork, Polly Is to
make the biscuit and gravy and put
the kettle on. You are to sit by and
look pleasant"
II insist on making the tea." said
Mrs. Vaughn, with amusement.
"Shall we let her make the teaT he
asked. looking thoughtfully at Polly.
Perhaps we'd better" said she,
laughing.
"All right Well let her make the
tea. We don't have to drink It,"
'You," said the widow. "are like Gov
ernor Wright. who said to Mrs. Per-
kins, Madam. l will praise your tea,
but hang me II I'll drink it,"
"Im going to teach the primer class
in the morning" said Polly as she
filed the teakettle.
"Look out, young man." said Mrs.
Vaughn. turning to the teacher. "In
short time she'll be thinking she can
teach you"
81 get my first lesson tonight" said
the young man. "she's TO teach me
dancing"
"And you've no fear for your soul?"
"Tve more fear for my body" said
he, glancng down upon his long figure.
i've never lifted my feet save for the
purpose of transportation. I'd like TO
learn TO dance because Deacon Tower
thinks II wicked, and I've learned that
happiness and sin mean the same thing
In his vocabulary"
81 fear you're downward and back
sliding youth" said the widow
"You know wha, ezra Tower said Of
Ebenezer Fisher. that he was one o.
them mush beads that didn't believe in
hellT Are you one o. that kinda"
Proclainiers Of liberal thought were ut
work there In the north.
"Since l met Deacon Tower I'm
sure it's useful and necessary. He's
got to have some place for his enc
mics. If 1t were not for hell the dea-
con would be miserable here and, may
be- happy hereafter"