Year: 1865

y ~N@S~N~NNNNOf
IFAct as my representative in all respects. !
delegate you full and entire authority


That was what Jack Clermont had said as he
leaned out of the carriage to light his cigar from
the tin of mine. OF course, | undertook the re
spousibiities very good humoredly, for, though
had never been in love myself still / had
sort of general idea that it was my duty to af-
ford every possible facility to young man who
was going to visit his sweetheart and fix the
wedding day


So turned with sigh of resignation away
from the fresh, exhilerang air to the close little
den, which Jack denOminated his office. On
the whole, felt rather as if l were an amiable
sacrifice on the altar of disinterested friendship
So all day long sat there personating Jack to
my own unbounded admiration


Squire ClermOnt in demanded a red-head-
ed rustic, in a blue coat decorated with brass
buttons, who made his appearance about noon.


Yes; what's wanting


well, sir, answered the rustic, awkwardly
twirling his hat around we'd like to have you
come to Shineyille, next week, and deliver a
lecture to our Young Mems Associations and


Twenty-Five dollars and expenses paid, re-
marked I, at a venture, with an air Of such ex-
quisite assurance that the negotiator was com
pletely at my mercy.


Very WELL sir. The secretary of the associ-
alton will forward you a regular invitation, and


Good day, sir said brskly rubbing my
hands as another individual came in, and he
edged out


Jack can It complain at this way of transact
ing business was my internal reflection, while
my last visitor was having and hemming, pre-
paratory to introducing his business.


you are Mr. Clermont, sir, | suppose 2


What is your business with me my friend {?
said l amiably,


well, I'm real glad Pye found you at home
once,' was the answer, with fendish satisfaction.
I'd be very much obleeged if you'd pay this ere
BILL


He handed me crumpled piece of paper-a
bill for something or other, did not know or
care what, except thatthe sum total was twenty
dollars, which paid with my exultation con-
siderabIy toned down. Why couldn't l have
said that wasn't Jack, and didn't know when
Jack would be at home.


My most interesting adventure was yet to hap
pen. Just as I was beginning toyawn, and con-
template the propriety of shutting the Office up
for the day and Just as the brightness of glO-
rous spring sunset was streaming in through
the dusty panes of glass, the silence was broken
by light tap on the door.


Come in, 1 said, expecting to see little boy
with a letter, or a client; so laid down the po-
ker, and wheeled my chair around.


What was my astonishment on the contrary,
to behold a tall, slender young lady, with a
fresh, brown complexion, just tinged with a
healthy pink, and hazel eyes, that appeared per-
fectly ready either to sparkleinto briliantlaugh-
ter OF melt into misty tears.


There she stood, and there l sat. never
heard of Jack Clermont having any female eli
ents, and, consequently it took me several sec
onds to recover, as it were, mental equilibrium.
Then I sprang up and politely offered her the
only chair in the office, while | seated myself on
the wood box.


tMr ClermontP she asked, softly--a very
sweet, musical sort of voice, l noticed, even
through all my perturbation.
! Il shall be happy to be of service to you, mad
am.


Who would have supposed it? The young
wood nymph didn't want divorce from her
husband THAT is, taking it for granted, she hap
pened to have such an appendage), nor did she
| desire to quarrel with her neighbOr's boundary
fence, nor the stray cattle who had deprecated
/ in the cornfelds Not at all-she merely want
ed a certificate to teach district school, and
the other trustee had sent her to Mr.. Clermoni
| to be examined. aa


Here was pretty kettle of fish for bashfu
| Young man, who was sailing under false colors
/ How was to know whether she was qualified
to be a school teacher or nOt2 And how was
to get myself out of this embarrassing business
unless by running away, and beating anignomini
GUS retreat through the back door into the
woods.


Never p quoth to myself 'Tll die at my
post sooner, even if forty thousand school teach
/ ers come after certificates.


Sir faltered the young lady.


'What is your name, ma amP demanded II
a business like manner drawing sheet Of pa
per towards me and dipping my pen in the inl
| stand.


Jessie Gray, sir


knew couldn't stand the arch, half-mis
chievous twinkle of those brown eyes if LOOKED