The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-06-03
SCHOOL MISTRESS'S
ADVENTURE.

[ was girl only seventeen years old,
and Weighing less than a hundred
pounds, and those who knew me
would have laughed at the idea of
my having any presence of mind in
the face of danger.
1t was a walk of a mile to the
farmhouse where was boarding, and
IN stormy weather | was conveyed to
and fro in a sleigl. 1t was clearly
understood that should it come on
20 snow and buster during the day
he farmer was to come for me at the
3iose of school. In ordinary wealth
sr the walk was one to be enjoyed.
.ust after noon on the 18th day of
January, 1t began to snow and blow
N the most furious manner, while
ahe temperature fell twenty degrees
inside of two hours.
We had snug brick school house,
large pile of dry wood, and no one
,new how cold it was, until school
vas dismissed for the day. Then
there were many complaints from the
icholars, but all finally got away and
was left alone to wait for the far
ner's sleigh, which | had every rea-
son to believe would soon be at the
.oor
1t was almost dark at four o'clock,
md | got my things on and sat down
~ the stove and waited three-quar-
ers OF an hour before beginning to
ionder why Farmer Watkins did not
rive up. We had a couple of lamps,
nd | lighted one and began to work
N an intricate mathematical prob
I'm. Time slipped fast cway and
Jhen 1 &C, up it was half past five
hen felt that some accident had
!appened my friends and they would
-ot come for me, and | decided to
oot 1t home.
/ had not left the school house
hundred feet behind when | realized
.-at must return to it. The wind
as blowing at The rate of fifty miles
N hour and directly in my face,
lille the air was &C full of snow that
me could not see six feet away
hat night the thermometer regis
cred IL degrees 5elow zero, and
luch live stock froze to death.
1t was a bit lonesome when | re-
. rned to the schoolhouce and let
lyself in and Ielt the little structureJ I
:embling under the rising gale, but.
relighted the lamps, brought in a
IT Of wood from the store room,
nd found enough of M monday,
.eal left in the basket to take the
ige OF my hunger off. h; Il no idea
being obliged to pass tie night
lere, but confidently exrecteI to be
allied tor at any mon. .ent.
1t had come to b, eight O'Clock and
was getting very nervous, when the
'ltside door opened and ] heard a
-ep In the hall l jumped up to
.ose tie stove doc" and turn out the
shts, but before / had accomplished
e latter object the door opened and
walked total stranger. He was
'vered with snow and his cap was
avn down until most of his face
is hidden. He did not seem to even
ance at me, but advanced to the
ove, shook off the snow, pulled off
p and overcoat, and then held his
4nds to the warmth.
| was what you might Justly term
.mbfounded. There was no fear of
m, but his unexpected advent and
e cool manner in which he acted
1te took my breath away for
uple of minutes. However, | fin
~ found voice to inquire:
Did Uncle Bill send you for me?"
He looked me in the eyes for
W seconds, then walked through to
outer door, locked it, came back
The inner door and locked that,
I'd as he slipped the keys into his
cket, he said
This Is going to be bitter cold
,ht."
falntness came over me as he
oke, and | had to sit down. We
IRE on the opposite sides of the
ove, and | saw that he was a man
about thirty years, medium height,
ght build, and respectable appear
.ce. There was nothing about him
the tramp or tough, and his voice
Is pleasant one. was certain
d never seen him before, and | also
1t from the first that there was
nething wrong in his coming the
~ he did. A belated or storm
und traveller would have been full
remarks and questions, and he
)uld not have locked the doors on
| looked him over like one In a
cam. | felt a great faintness and
;reat fear, yet could not help but
-tch him. He did not return my
.e. Now and then his eyes met
ne. but for the most part he was
KING careiessiy around the room
at the stovepipe. BY and by it
ne to me that he was an insane
n, and for half minute | shut
eyes and had the hardest kind OF
light to keep from fainting away.
nen opened them ..e was regard
me with cunning leer. and III