Year: 1878

iOned kitchen of Farmer Grey. The
/ green paper curtains, covered with pic


lures of impossible scenery and strange


grOtesque figures, we're lowered, shut


ting out the white moonlight as it lay


upon the snow-covered fields like gilt


tering crystals.


Great logs of oak and cedar filed the


wide fire place, casting ruddy, cheer


full glow around the room; an Angola


cat lay basking in the bright freight,


while upon the opposite side of the


hearth, stretched at fu ! length, lay a


great Newfoundland dog; the yellow


painted floor was clean as hands could


make it, and altogether the room pre-
sented a scene Of rural comfort not 10


be despised.


The farmer sat in his easy-chair, deep


in meditation, with his eyes fastened


upon the fire, while the busy housewife


with deft fingers piled tie knitting nee


dies, and glanced occasionally at the


couple seated at the table busy with


their books. 1t was their daughter and


the district school teacher.


Faith Grey was an only child, and


from the time when she first began to


talk, had ruled her loving subjects in


the little kingdom of home with abso-


lutte sway. Size was now seventeen


years of age, with laughing brown eyes


and waving, auburn hair, that rippled


and shOne with a tOnch of gold in its


soft meshes when she faced the sum-


Her complexion was fair and pure asan


apple blossom. Her dress was a simple


brown merinO, with a plain, white col


lar fastened at the throat by blue rib


bon, while streamers of the same azure


hue confined the meshes Of waving hair.


She was tail and slender. with a supple,


willOwy grace peroeptfble in every


movement Of her graceful form.


Her companion was apparently about
twenty-five years of age, with broad
white row and dark hair, which clus-
tered in little ringlets about his fore
head; his eyes were black and penetrat-
ing; the grave, firm mouth betokened
mdomitable will and strength of char
acter; his face was smooth, and his
large, well-made form was arrayed in a
suit of plain black; he was college-edu-
Gated, and while waiting for a situation
had learned that he could have the win
ter school in this district to teach. and
being poor, had accepted it rather than
remain idle until a more eligible one
presented itself. lie was far from de
spising small beginnings.


lie well knew that the school |
bore no enviable reputation, for by
report it was known far and near
Cnly the winter before the scholars
had chosen to give the teacher a seat
in a snOw-drift, and then entering the
schoOl-room had held high carnival. !
and jeering at him as he trled |
IN vain to enter, and in despair he had |
turned his back upon the school and the |
town. lie well knew that it was no
light task which he had undertaken, bJS
only tighter closing Of the firm lips |
was visible as he accepted the trust, and |
silently vowed to conquer or die. Ii
was a school of fifty scholars, ranging
from four to twenty years Of age. a
mixed assembly, some good, some bad.
ana some neither the one nor the other,
but ready to join the strongest party
He was obliged to board around, and rs
he was exceedingly particular and fas-
tidious in all his personal affairs, some
which he was obliged TO
make were laughable in the extreme
He chose the place farthest from his
school for his first boarding place, and
as he took his seat at the supper table
be glanced appalled, at the view which
the board presented. The dishes were
cracked and grimy, and the supper was
composed Of dish of potatoes, famili-
arly known among the country people
as the ''long Johns" Gigantic in size,
they lay black and heavy the dirty
plate, fanked by deep, yellow dish,
tWO-thirds full of pork fat, While slices
Of the pork, fried to a cinder, floated
upon the top. A plate Of bread, with
leaden strip at the bottom of each slice,
and a small piece of butter composed Of
alternate stripes Of white and yellow.
the viands. He crushed
down the rising feeling Of disgust and
made no sign, even when the young son,
a boy Of ten yeals of age, seized one of
the largest Of the potatoes in his dirty,
hands. and squeezing it, ex-
claimed: Marin, this ere 'tater amt
done" and laying it down, cOolly re-
Deated the operation with the rest


This was a sample Of themeals which
be was compelled to partake of while
be stayed at his first boarding place, but
le was more fortunate in his next Sc
ectiOn. 1t was at Farmer Grey's, and
Mrs. Grey was a noted housewife
Faith was one Of his hardest pupils to
manage. Never doing any mischief
which he could trace directly TO her.
let, 10y some unaccountable influence,
he was sure that she induced the rest to
lct in direct defiance of his authority,
md when detected her own face would
De as demure and innocent-looking as
hat of a kitten. She was ready and
spt scholar, and seemed really delighted
With the opportunities of learning which
he talented young master placed with
n the reach Of all. He was possessed
If vast fund Of general Information
Ind ne gave TO them without measure
md without stint. He was kind and
,entle, but in very truth they found
lim msster-all but Faith.


AS the days heightened into weeks,
IN unquiet spirit seemed to enter into
he girl, and she seemed almost boldly
Ieiant. With exceeding patience and
the master bore with all her
TRANCE freaks, and although sorely
ried he endeavored, by gentle, winning
-indness to bring her to see the great
wrong she was doing herself and him.
But it was of no avail; the more he tried
he more he might try, and the dancing
,rowu eyes shot forth angry sparks, as
t last he pissed her most daring pranks
" in absolute silence.