702 



A CHRISTMAS ROSE. 



the school twice and druv the teacher off. Boys 

 has considerable backslid since we were boys, Retire. 

 Then again I dunno 's they has. Boys will be 

 boys — and here they come now. Comin' to get a 

 peek at the new teacher from Bostin." 



Seven over-grown boys came stumbling along the 

 dusty road. In front strode Sam'l Lovewell, tall, 

 gaunt, with raw hands and long wrists that stuck 

 far out beyond his jacket sleeves. 



"Now, boys," said the Deacon, "don't you be 

 cuttin' up any of your didos." 



" Oh, we aint going to do nothin'. We want to 

 see the new teacher from Bostin." 



''The Driver, Old Rube Snow, Had Nothing 



TO Say." 



" Nothin'. Mebby the teacher likes onions." 



Retire Hopkins put on his glasses and inspected 

 the rough-looking company of cubs. 



" Now, boys, give the teacher a chance, will ye? 

 Don't you be cutting up 'fore school begins. What 

 you got onions and cabbage for ? What on airth 

 you going to do with them eggs ?" 



"Nothin'," said Sam'l. 



For some reason this seemed to be very amusing 

 to the boys. The Deacon lifted a warning finger 

 and began to speak, but was cut short by the sud- 

 den arrival of the stage. At the same instant two 



or three girls and women came along as if to wit- 

 ness the one event of the day — the arrival of the 

 mail and express. 



Rube Snow pulled up his dust-covered horses, and 

 twisting the reins around his whip, began to hand 

 out parcels and packages directed to sundry persons 

 in the village. Thankful Sloan, the funny little 

 postmistress and express agent, came out of the 

 store and took the mail bag and the express pack- 

 ages, piling them upon her arm. 



" That all, Rube ?" 



" No ; here's a box. It's a leetle hefty for you, 

 Thankful. Here, Sam'l Lovewell, just you lend me 

 a hand !" 



Rube pulled out a long box and pushed it over the 

 wheel. The entire population gathered near to see 

 what it could be. The paper cover caught on the 

 side of the wagon and came off. It was a box of 

 plants, some in full flower. Sam'l Lovewell looked 

 at it in admiration, and was just a little proud of his 

 splendid burden. Flowers ! every one crowded 

 around to see them. 



" I declare," said the Deacon, "if them aint the 

 first posies ever came to Black Ridge. 'Bout as 

 pretty as any ever I see — anyways as pretty as some 

 I've seen." 



" Who be they for ?" said Retire. 



' ' They belongs to a passenger, and I guess if I 

 get down I'll let the passenger get out." 



" Did you bring the new teacher. Rube ?" 



" Shouldn't wonder a mite if I did." 



A wild shout rose from the boys, and they ranged 

 themselved in a double row on each side of the stage 

 door. There was a sudden display of eggs, onions 

 and stale cabbage in their grimy hands. 



" Boys ! boys ! Don't you cut up !" 



The women and girls retreated into the store. 



" What a pity ! Somebody orter tell 'em to be- 

 have. Those 'Tater Hill boys is a disgrace to the 

 village " 



Rube held the door of the stage fast. 



"Now, look a'here, Sam'l Love'll, you'll be re- 

 pentin' your foolin' in a minute." 



" Oh ! shut up. Rube, and open the door." 



Thankful Sloan had come out on the piazza in 

 alarm. 



" I shouldn't wonder a mite if the teacher got the 

 best of you, Sam'l. Just you give him a chance to 

 get down before you begin any of your didos." 



"Oh ! Give the loon a chance, boys. Wait till 

 he gets down." 



Rube slowly opened the stage door, and with a 

 graceful little jump there landed in the middle of 



