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The Yankee School-master

The Yankee School-master image
Parent Issue
Day
26
Month
August
Year
1881
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

From the Chicago 1 ribune. On "Millers' HUI" h farm house stood ; a lowland stmcture built ot' wootl: whose clapboards, weather-worn and gray, were fWUingintoslowdecay; wliose mossy, wonden lane-trough swuug frora rusty irons, rudely hnng; whose curling shingles bere and there betrayed the need of good repair; whose ancient chimuey, capped with stone, witb lichens partly overgrown, above the sagging roof looked down upon the spires of Brandon town. Au old gray barn was built near by, with heavy girths and sealïolds high, fflth solid sillrt and raassive beams, and through the cracks and open seams the slanting sunshine used to play in golden gleams upon the hay, wbere oft with many a shout, the chlldren jumped and playeil about at hkle and seek, or looked with care f'r bidden nests in corners there. Where oft at morn they used to bear the cackling hen and chanticler, wbere, by the broad Hoor, 'neath the mows, were cribsand stancbions for the cows, and strong plank stalls where horsed stood to eat their hay frora racks of wood, and, in a comer, stoweu1 away, a fanning-mill and old red lieigh. Where jolly farm-boys husked at night, tlie rolden corn by caudle-light, and hung their lanterns by the bay on pitchforks tbrust into the hay, where sheltered froni the autumn rain, with thundering flails tliey tliresbed the grain. Each year the hum of honey-bees was heard amid the applc trees; the lilacsbloomed the locusts fair, with their sweet fragranee fllled the air ; the stubbïc fields were plowed and sown; the warm rain feil; the bright sun shone; the robbins sang; the green grass grew ; the roses blossoined in thedew; the Uil, red hollybock once more, blooined brigbtly by the farm house door; the sunllower bent its gaudyhead; tbecattle in the pasture fed; the crickets chirped in meadows near, aml sounds were wattej to the ear oer waying Ilelds of tasseled corn, of fiattering scythe and dinner hom. 'L'be reapers reaped Cheir golden sheaves; tic s:illows left the stuecoed eaves ; the apples in the autumn breeze, grew ripe and inellow on the trees; the leaves were swept ilioiit the air; the fields were brown, the woodlands bare; the snowfiakes feil; the air grew chili: tbc sleigh bells rang on "Mlfler's Hill." The wintersky was overcnst.the snow and sleet weru falling fast. 'Twas Christmas ere, the air was cool, the childreu burriud home from school, with laughter loud and ontcries shrill.tliey reachetl tlie farm house on tlie hill; they carne across the kitclien floor, nor Kopped to shut the entry door, all striving iirst the news to teil ; laÉBMd in concert with a yell : "Tlie teacher' s coinin' here to stay ; he's up tlie road a jlittle way : he stopped to talk witli Susan Stow, an' we ran home to let you know."' The mother stopped her spinning-wheel, and put away her oreaking reel, swept up tlie duüty heartfi with care, rolled QOwn liur sleeves and brusbed her bair, smootlied out her ruiuplcd ginghum gown, and in her rocking-chair satdown; tlien striving hard to look her best, calaily waited for her gaest. Her rudily, round and lleshy face was bordereil by i cap of lace; her nose was nearly bid from view by her plump cheeks of bealtliy hias her eyes were brigjit, her bair was tliin, bad a, heavy doublé Miln; her busbanen arms, when both embraced wuuld barely cireiiinscribc her waist. (itall nrjge ikihihi lihie in ten will most aduiire the little men, aml little men - why none runy teil - will love large wonieu (juite as well. They woo, tliey wed, the man thremgh lifci is uuitc o'ershadowed b}' his wil.-. Soou, parting from lus rustic llame, the tardy young sehoolinaster came; his eyes were blue, his ft-atures fair, bis Chin nVr grown with downy bair; béhlnd his ears big locks of brown wt-re hinoothly brushed and plastered down; his bony limbs were large and long, his well-trained musclea flrm and etrong. The lal], stout boys tliut years before had thrown their master Uirough the door, his rod regurded witli disiiiay, and seldom dared to disobcy. The pride and hope of Hubbanlton was tall Lycurgu.s Littk-john, wlio liad, lus lellow-townsnu'ii said. "A hrap "' laruin' in his head " (Tlin.-e tornis in Middlebury college had given hlm his "leap1' of knowledge.) He often iised to sit between the fair young girls of swi et sixti-cn. and kindly help tlicm "do their sums." 'l'liey bfOUgbt hlm ti uit aml sug:ir pluins; tliey had their girlhood hopea and Il-ars, hu words rere niusic in their ears, each smile he gave them had a eliarin, eacb Irown woolu BH them with alarm. What envioiis looks at Suaan stou, hisfavoritescholar, they wonld throw. Her eyes and weredark as nlght, he skin wiis soft and smooth and white; ; peach llke bloomhercbeekso'enpraad. her lips like cherries ripe and red. What won der lie could not conctal the glad swee thrlll he used to feel through all his pal pltating frame, when to liis desk slie coyly carne, and, looking uj with eyes of love llke Boque Bljr, timid little dove, would soft iin'i '."m1,10 (-'xPountl some knotty probluln slie I1UU liMui.l. 1TI, Irétlig lu u. v. world Iulc.u iVemed half as sweet as Susan siow - Ber eyes would Buh, and in return, liU face wonld tlin-h and strangely burn, and, when he tricd to calente soine long hard "sum" apon her slate, the ihjuret, danced before his slght llke little goblins gay and white, and when at night with eheerful faee he ctarted for his bo&rdins place, what wonder that he canie so slow in walHing home with Susan Stowf The wiiiiiiin crossed the kitchen fioor to meet Lycurgus at the door, and, with a Bcrutlnizlng stare, she said : "Walk in nu' take a chair, an' be to home while you are here. Come IJuby, take his tfelngl my dear.'1 Forth froin his corner by the fire the husband carne at her deaira. His head was bald, ave here and there, stray little tufte ofgrlzsled hatrj his ahoulders gtooped, his trom was thin, his knees were bent, his toes tui iicd in ; li,. woie ulongblue llannel f rock, graf towsers and a isiin stok; a Cotton collar, till and queer was rudely crumpled ïrounU cacti car; his face was mild hls sinilt: was bland as forth he put his ponderous hand and said: "I thiuk 1 seeyou well, I bope yc'll stay a leetle spell ; we're plaln t'olks here. l"d iiave ye know, an' don't go in tor piid nor show." Then, af ter stepping on the ent, he took the tcacher's coat and hal ; hu limi"; tliem un a rusty nail, and plcklng up lus niilking pail.he siuij oif. tied out of doms and went to do the evenIng chores. UTose by the tirelight's eheerful blare, Lycurfrus drew hiseasy chair. The savorv ¦team of cbickena slain carne froni the black pol on the crane. The kettle's merry sonv lic lie.inl: npi.ii the hearth the old cat purnd : while bythe ehimney corner snu the house dog dosed upon the mg. Along the liinincy plece of wood an die row of flatrom stooë, two candlesticks in bright array, a pair ot snullers anda tray. The time worn doek tlcked slowly on; it ticked the hoiirs forever gone. "Forever pone," t -cemed to say - "Forever gone," from day 10 day in its'tall cate OÍ sombre hile, 'twa's üfty vears siuce it waslnew. Between the Windows, Miiall and Uigb, i lookinj; glass waliunyii(arliy; Ü brazenbird with wings uitspread perebed on the scroll-work overhead; beneath a shelf, the commn n home it l'ainilv Bible, brusli and comb; above, from non hooks, were hung long trames with apples thickly struiifj, and ti'xed Uhii lie wall lo dry, were wreaths of pumpkin kcpi lor pie. Forth from the buttery to the fire carne Aiiut Rebeoca Jane Mclntyrc.a sallowspin-tei- sontewhat old, whose mellow age was seldom told; her liair was thin, it nearly touehed her toothless chin. Life's weary work, with constant care had worn a face lliai oiu;c hu tan. EaehSabbath tnorn from sjring to spring wilbin the choir she used to sing, in ancient jonnet, cloak and gown, theoldest relies of the town ; besidethe ehorister she stood and lways did the best she could, and. whlle with timing fork he led, she markefl his novenients with lier head, her nassal voice rose .-liar] and queer above the deep-toued viol near. She took the black pot from the crane. renoved the kettle from thechain, and made he tea and chicken broth, drew out the tade, spread the cloth; then from the cupjoard. bright and new. brought the best liina edged with blue. 1 üe chores were done, the least was Ipread, all took their seats and gruw was said. They ate tlie the suvory chicken strw, Bojalcy and so well cooked through ; before liem rleb, round dumplings swam on teatoiog platea, and cold boiled ham, witli eatliery Plscuit warm and liJit. witli curnint jam and honey white, and, crowning all, a good supply of yellow, meaty puinpciii pie. Where sucha bounteous feast ia band wlio would not teach and " board around.'' The supper done, the father took f rom off ts shelf tlie sacred Book, and read of one vho stilled tl e sea one stormy night in ialilee; tlien, kneeling down before iiis chair lie asked the Heavenly Shepherd's care. Soon froiu the group with ürowy heads, he children started for their beds ; took off bc little shoes they wore, and left theni on he kitchen floor; tlien bidding all a touo ¦good night, "' with pattering feet they passed froni sight. Dear little feet, how soon they stray froin he old farm home faraway; how soon they eave tlie family fold to walk the shining treetsof gold, where every hope isre:.l and sure; where every heart is kind and pure : vliere every dream is briglit and fair, - O! nay we meet OUT loved one there ! The farmer left hiscosyseat, with clatterng slippers on bis feet, went to the cellar where he drew a mug of eider, sweet and icw. añil trom lus bioad bina brought the est and ripest apples for his guest. Theo y the warm lire's ruddy light, they lingered until late at night; strange legenda told, nul tales that made theni all teel nervous and afnüil. But "Aunt Iiebecca" wutched in vain the smoke above thecrane; sho nodled, dozed, began to snore, she dropped knitting on tlie floor, awoke, her eyeids heavier grew, arose and silently withIrew. Along the creaklng .-tairs she crept, to he lone chamber where she slept, and close he windowcurUinsdrew, to screen herself rom outward view. tíhe stopped the keylole of the door, she set her candle on the loor, looked'neath the valanee- half afraid o lind a man in ambuseade ; then sitting lown, aside with care she laid hergarmeiits n a chair, slipped on her ghostly robe of vhite, took oft' her shoes, blew out the lifrht; hen m darkness froni h-jr head removed lier vig and went to bed, eurled up with chilly bobs and sili, and quiveling shut her lrovvsy eyes. POO ringle soul who sleep alone, the light wind hatli a dtomal tone to your lone éara - you start with fear at every niidniglit sound you hear, when late at night with wcary heads, you creep into your weary beds. The nights sectu lonft, vour lips turn blue, your feet ?row cold- you know hcy do ! She slept at last; she heard once atora lipple break upon the shore; ajrain alie at upou the strand, aiul lome one clasped ter falryouog hand, aadwovd wem wimered in lier ear that long ajjo she lovcd to lear. and, starting up, she criad in glee: 'I kuew you would come back to me." Slic woke. Alus! no lovo was thcre. Her hin anus clasped the vacant air. Twas ut a ilicani. She lived alone. Without she heard the night wind inoan, while on he wiiulow-panes the snow was wildly irating. Krom below tlie sounds of motbered roioM mum wIhmi still with Uu-hy's social dame thelr guct sat by tlie adiii" lire ainl watched its tl.-eting Dame expire whlle 8lé li-tcnud, but no word they ittered could be clearly heard; imt soon a ¦ecollectlOU rauie that sent a slui.Mcr hniugli her frame- the sansa-re to bc fried kt mom, the brekt taote to odorn, was n the bedroom where their guert would , beUke himself to rest. Tlir oloc ttrnek ten, she sotily said. "l'B gal It 're Ue [OM to bed." nare bed rtood within a iwhb as chili in.l hurnid as a tomb; 'twas never aired, twas wldom swci'L; in its damp corners solden rrMt; they buflt ttiete bridget trough the air and no nlde brooin disurbed them tUera The rain, thut teil on roof decayed, drlppcd through the cMnki bal time had made, and on the wlntevashcd walU ran down in wouderous tresioet tlnged with brown.the wimlow panes, witli trost o'er spread, were warmer tlian that icy lM'd. ('olil was tlie matting oo the floor; oold blew the breeze bencatli tbt door; cold were the straight-backed chaira ot wood; cold was the oaken stand tlia stood on spindling legs that looked as cliil as lone, bare piues on some bleak hill high rose that beti o'er thlngs below, like some tall iceberg capped with inow. Hen every highly honored guest, wheu bedtlmi ranie, retired to "rest." Within tta large and moldy preat hung f ¦" '" -"'filk dreagj her Sundai bounet, shoes and shawls, du ruLj iuuï against the wall, by Mr. Busby's guit o; blue, that at his wedding had been ner Hert' on a peg his best cravat repose.) within Iiis old fur liat; here, sliut from sight of human eyes, were rows of minee and apple pies, with rolls of sausage ant head cheese, stored on the shelves anc lef t to freeze. Krom out her eot the makten crept. slipped on herihoeiand loftly Btepped alonj the lin.Il and through the gtoom un til shi reached the ehilly room. fTnaflfm sIil crossed the icy tloor, unheiCid Dulooked iIk closet door, suatelied froiu tlie shelf, in a lirm lMld, a lian "f sausajte, stilF and cold, then turning quickly sought tö beat a Midden safe and gure letrent, Too Inte! A light gleained on the wall, and soumi ol footsteps tilled the hall, tlien t the room came boldly on the stnhvnrt form of Littlejohn ! She backwanl (tepped and -in.jil agha-t, then closed the door and held it tast. With chattering tceth and tmnbllng frame across the tloor Lycurgus catue. f 1 1 placed the candle in his hand apon the splndllng oaken stand. Then eloscd Ure door and, with a frown, within the cold ohair settled down. He threw lus DOOtl upon the ttoor, and risitij; (ried the cloaet door; bot Aimt Rebecca, with afrlght, aluna to the hiich witli all her lujght. To look within Lyeorgns f al led, lie turned away and thougbt it nailed. Then, pulling down the snowy spread, he put his warm brick in the bed, took off his clothes and slipped between the sheets of ice, so white and clean, blew out the light, and with a sneeze, close to his chin he ffJught his kneeu, beneath the elotties he e his nose, and tried in vain to Mud repose; while "Aunt Kebecca" trom the wall, took down her Sunday gown and shawl, she wrapped them round her free.intr form, and blushed to keep her visage warm. The paper curtains loosely hang upon the Windows rustlingswung, while through each quivering, narrow trame of frosty janes a dim light came, that made the furliture appear like dusky pliantoms crouching near. Lycurgus lislened in the storm and hugged lus brick u keep hini warm, jut colüer grew the bumid bed, tlie clotnes congealwl around his head; to feel al MM n vain he tried; he tossed and turned rom side to side; each time he ninvcd, be leath hiá weijrht the beadsteaiV cixaked ike some farm-gate. His briok grew cold; ie could not sleep, a strange leaaaUotl seemed to creep upon lijnt, while aci-osg the tloor he elo.-cly watched the efosel door. Was he but dreaming? No! his eyes jehild, with wonder and surprise, wiiat lian lian nevt. ooc.x v,,r„. u.v.., m .1 movement at the door. It slowly turned, md to his sight came through the dim, uncertain light, a hideous hand, that in its clasp some awful object seemed to grasp, a crouchiii'; form, with a frightful head, eemed slowly coming toward the bed. He ïeard the rusty binges creak, he could not tir, he conld uot speak, he could not turn lis head away; he shut bis eyes and tried to pray; upon his brow of palid hue, the cold sweat stood like drops of due; at last ie shrieked aloud and shrill - tlie door wung back and all was still. 'J'hat midnight cry, from room to room, esounded loudly through thegloom. The armer and his wife at rest, within tlieir varm and cosy nest, awoke, and sprang in transe attire, forth from tlieir bed loud houting - "fire!" But findlng neither moke nor rtame, soon tumbling up the tairs they came. In cotton bedquilts iiaintly dressed, they heard a deep groan 'rom their guest, and f uil ot' wonder and ifright, pushed in the door and stiuck a Ight. J)eep down in the feather bed Lycnrgtia ïad witlidniwn his liend, and, out ut' sight ay auaklng Cuere, with throbbing breast and bristling hair. They questfoued hini ut he was still; bc honk as if lic bad a bilí, the courage was completely gone 'rom tall Lycurgus Littlejohn. What human language can express the niiiiest maiden's diré distress, while standng still belilmt r he sereen, a sad spectator of the scène! What pen m paticll can )ortraj' her mute despair and deep dismay? V while she stood, and through the door he peeped across the bed-room Hoor; the way was clear, and like a vice she grasped he sausage, cold as ice, sprang from the loset, and from sight she glided like a 'leun of light, away without a look or word, she flew like an afrightcd bird, without a moment of delay, the mvstery cleared ttdfaway! Again the snow gleains on the ground, umin the sleigh-bells gayly sound, agaiu on "Miller's Hill'' we hear the shouts of hildren loud and clear; but in the bant ! heard no more the ilapping fiail upon he floor. The house is down, the inmates gone, and tall Lycurgus Uttl.john is now !n old man, worn with care, with stooplng orm and silver hair. He uiarried darkyed Susan Stow, and they were happy, ears ago. . VVhen in the merry winter-time, their hildren's childreu röund him climb, he ella them of his fearful fright on that farüstant winter night; and after they are put to bed, when by the fire with nodding ïead he sits and slnks to slumbers deep. and quakes and shivers in his sleep, alas! ie is but dreaming still of that spare bed on "Miller's Hill.

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Courier
Old News