should seem surprising that so high-bred visitor sojourning wild woods, it remembered that more than one celebrated Englishman and not few distinguished Americans have farmer brothers western country, no whit less rustic in their exterior and manner of life plainest neighbors When these are visited by their refined kinsfolk, we woods catch glimpses gay world, or think

That great medicine hath With its tinct gilded--

many vulgarism satisfaction of wiser heads than ours

Miss Bangle's manner bespoke for her that high consideration which she felt her due Yet she condescended amused rustics and their awkward attempts at gaiety and elegance; and, truth, few village merry-makings escaped her, though she wore always the air of great superiority

The spelling-school is ordinary winter amusements country It occurs once in fortnight, or so, and has power to draw out all the young people for miles round, arrayed in their best clothes and their holiday behavior When all is ready, umpires are elected, and have taken the distinguished place usually occupied teacher, the young people school choose the two best scholars to head the opposing classes These leaders choose their followers mass, each calling name in turn, until all the spellers are ranked on one side or the other, lining the sides room, and all standing The schoolmaster, standing too, takes his spelling-book, and gives placid yet awe-inspiring look along the ranks, remarking that he intends very impartial, he shall give out nothing spelling-book first half hour or so he chooses common and easy words, spirit evening may not be damped too early thinning classes When word is missed, the blunderer sit down, and be spectator only rest evening At certain intervals, best speakers mount the platform, and "speak piece," generally as declamatory as possible

The excitement scene is equal afforded by any city spectacle whatever; and towards the close evening, when difficult and unusual words are chosen to confound the small number who still keep the floor, it becomes scarcely painful When perhaps only remain puzzled, the master, weary at last task, though favorite one, tries by tricks down those whom overcome in fair fight If among all the curious, useless, unheard-of words picked spelling-book, find one which the scholars noticed, he gets the last head down by some quip or catch "Bay" will perhaps be the sound; one scholar spells it "bey," another, "bay," while the master all the time means "ba," which comes rule, being spelling-book

on occasions, as said, that Miss Bangle, having come spelling-school materials for letter to female friend, first shone upon Mr Horner She was excessively amused by his solemn air and puckered mouth, and set him down at once as fair game Yet help becoming somewhat interested spelling-school, and after over found she stored up half as schoolmaster's points as she intended, benefit of her correspondent

evening's contest young girl from some few miles' distance, Ellen Kingsbury, the only child of substantial farmer, the very last to sit down, after prolonged effort of Mr Horner to puzzle her, credit own school She blushed, and smiled, and blushed again, but spelt on, until Mr Horner's cheeks were crimson with excitement and some touch of shame that baffled at his own weapons , either by accident or design, Ellen missed word, and sinking into her seat was numbered slain

laugh and talk which followed (for conclusion spelling, all form of public assembly vanishes), our schoolmaster said gallant things fair enemy, and appeared animated excitement contest, that Miss Bangle began to look upon him with rather more respect, and somewhat indignant that little rustic like Ellen should absorb the entire attention only beau She put on, therefore, her most gracious aspect, and mingled circle; caused the schoolmaster presented to her, and did her best to fascinate him by certain airs and graces which she had found successful elsewhere What game is too small close-woven net of coquette ?

Mr Horner quitted not the fair Ellen until he had handed her into her father's sleigh; and he then wended his way homewards, never thinking that he escorted Miss Bangle to her uncle's, though she certainly waited little while return

not follow into particulars the subsequent intercourse schoolmaster civilized young lady All that concerns us result of Miss Bangle's benevolent designs upon his heart She tried most sincerely its vulnerable spot, meaning Mr Homer guard future; and she was unfeignedly surprised to discover that her best efforts were of no avail She concluded taken counter-poison, and she was not slow in guessing its source She had observed the peculiar fire which lighted up his eyes presence of Ellen Kingsbury, and she bethought her of plan which would ensure her some amusement expense impertinent rustics, though in manner different somewhat from her original more natural idea of simple coquetry

letter was written to Master Horner, purporting from Ellen Kingsbury, worded so artfully schoolmaster understood at once intended secret communication, though its ostensible object was an inquiry about some ordinary affair laid in Mr Horner's desk before to school, with an intimation that he might leave an answer in certain spot following morning The bait took at once, Horner, honest and true himself, and much smitten fair Ellen, was too happy circumspect The answer was duly placed, and as duly carried to Miss Bangle by her accomplice, Joe Englehart, an unlucky pickle who "was always for ill, never for good," and who found no difficulty in obtaining the letter unwatched, master was obliged in school at nine, and Joe could always linger later This answer being opened and laughed at, Miss Bangle had only to contrive rejoinder, which being rather more particular in its tone original communication, led on yet again the happy schoolmaster, who branched out into sentiment, "taffeta phrases, silken terms precise," talked of hills and dales and rivulets, pleasures of friendship, and concluded by entreating continuance correspondence

Another letter and another, more flattering and encouraging last, almost turned the sober head poor master, and warmed up his heart so effectually that scarcely attend business The spelling-schools were remembered, however, and Ellen Kingsbury made merry company; but the latest letter forgotten to caution Mr Horner not to betray the intimacy; in honor bound to restrict himself language eyes hard as to forbear the single whisper given his very dictionary So, their meeting passed off without the explanation which Miss Bangle began to fear would cut short her benevolent amusement

The correspondence was resumed with renewed spirit, and carried on until Miss Bangle, though not overburdened with sensitiveness, began little alarmed consequences of her malicious pleasantry She perceived that she herself had turned schoolmistress, Master Horner, instead of being merely her dupe, had become her pupil too; style replies constantly improving earnest and manly tone which he assumed promised any thing but the quiet, sheepish pocketing of injury and insult, she had counted In truth, something deeper than vanity feelings he regarded Ellen Kingsbury The encouragement which he supposed himself received, threw down the barrier which his extreme bashfulness interposed between himself and who possessed charms enough to attract him; and excuse him if, case, criticise the mode of encouragement, but rather grasped eagerly the proffered good without scruple, or one which own to himself, propriety tendered in love as man , seriousness of real attachment gave both grace and dignity once awkward diction

The evident determination of Mr Horner point of asking papa brought Miss Bangle to very awkward pass She had expected to return home before matters had proceeded , but being obliged to remain longer, she was equally afraid on and to leave off, denouement being almost certain to ensue in either case Things stood thus when time grand exhibition to close the winter's term

an affair of magnitude fully described small space yet remaining to bring out our veracious history It "slubber'd o'er in haste"--its important preliminaries left cold imagination reader--its fine spirit perhaps evaporating for want of being embodied in words only say master, whose school-life was to close term, labored as man never before labored cause, resolute to trail cloud of glory after him when he left us Not candlestick nor curtain that was attainable, either by coaxing or bribery, was left village; even the only piano, that frail treasure, was wiled away and placed in one corner rickety stage The most splendid of all the pieces Columbian Orator_, the American Speaker_, the----but not enumerate--in word, the most astounding and pathetic specimens of eloquence within ken of either teacher or scholars, selected occasion; and several young ladies and gentlemen, whose academical course happily concluded at an earlier period, either at our own institution or at some other, had consented to lend themselves parts, and their choicest decorations properties, dramatic portion entertainment

last was pretty Ellen Kingsbury, who had agreed to personate the Queen of Scots, garden scene from Schiller's tragedy of Mary Stuart_; and this circumstance accidentally afforded Master Horner the opportunity he had desired, of seeing his fascinating correspondent without the presence of peering eyes dress-rehearsal occupied the afternoon day of days, pathetic expostulations lovely Mary--

Mine all doth hang--my life--my destiny-- Upon my words-- force of tears ! --