Year: 1877

| uOWn mere on tne lounge anu resi- u DlI.
See how comfortable you will be when 1
put a pillow under your head, and
throw this shawl over you; and now
listen while tell you something


GAS for your owing me, that's all
nonsense. What signified a week or
two more or less, and neither of you
eating enough to keep bird alive2 1t
was so late in the season that the rooms
would have been empty, so it was all the
better that you had them, and you need
never think of that again.


But now, just see how things are
ordered for us Why, this morning the
milk-man was telling me how the school
committee have been disappointed about
the teacher they had engaged. 1t seems
she is going to be married, and has writ
ten to say that they must find another
teacher, and they're in peck of troub-
lie, for school was to begin in another
week. Now if you say the word, will
just step over and tell some of the COM
mittee that you would like the place and
then you'll be all provided for"
" a school !" exclaimed Grace, sitting
up in alarm. "Why, / don't know
enough to teach I'm afraid 1 have for
gotten all my algebra and geometry,
and


Mrs. Gray laughed softly. Bless the
dear child's heart She thinks we are
the same as city folks. Why Miss Grace,
most of them wont know their letters,
and those that do only want to learn
enough arithmetic to count what little
money they make; and enough geogra-
ply to know whether they live here, or
'tother side of the world. They will pay
you so much month, and you can
board round, Or"


60, l couldn' possibly do that" cried
Grace, shrinking from the idea of living
in some of the houses she had seen in
the little hamlet. Couldn't 1 earn
enough so that could pay you for my
board ?-that is" she hesitated, {" if you
would wish to have me stay ~


"Of course wish it, with all my
heart J" answered Ma. Gray, earnestly,
and evidently complimented by Grace's
wish to remain under her roof. Now
just lie still, and I'll step over to some
of the neighbors and talk to them about
it.n


Grace sank back; too much worn in
mind and body to offer any opposition,
and thankful for the possibility that
here was chance for her to support
herself.


Mrs. Gray returned radiant. She had
seen the leading members of the school
committee, who had been much pleased
by her suggestion, and promised to call
that evening with their official brethren
and " examine Miss Carleton for the
situation.


Examine me?" inquired Grace
What does that mean ?''


Now don't you be bit worried
answered Mrs. Gray, soothingly. cit
means asking questions, to find out if
you know enough; but bless you heart,
they don't know half as much them
selves; and if you told them the moon
was made Of green cheese they'd all be-
lleve 1T. Don't you trouble about that,
but just take my word for it that you'll
do first rate, and who knows This
school may last till your ship comes
in!"


Grace had never heard this expression
and perceiving her bewildered look, Mrs.
Gray added, "That's what we ALWAYS
say here when we mean that better luck
may come sometime perhaps it's
kind of seafaring saying"


Mrs Gray's prophecy was fulfilled
Grace charmed the entire committee by
her sweet simple manners, and what
they deemed her profound learning. A
week later saw her formally in
stalled as mistress of the village school
room, where she had ever since reigned,
enthroned in the hearts of her little sub
jects.


Gradually light and happiness, or at
least cheerfulness, had stolen back 10
her. Mrs. Gray's motherly care had
smoothed many little troubles from her
path, while her plain practical good
sense and true simple faith had taught
the young girl many useful lesson.


She had rather adopted the phrase,
which had at first hearing sounded so
oddly to her, and often used it, as it
was evident from the beginning of our
story her scholars had noticed.


When my ship comess in we will
have new maps" she said one day,
while endeayoring, : to explain the