The papers here collected were originally published in “Hearth and Home,” under the title of “Papers found in the Schoolmaster’s Trunk.” They embody observations made from actual life by a teacher residing in a country village. In reproducing them, it was thought best to retain at least a portion of the original title.
A. M. D.
CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER I. | |
| PAGE | |
| The Slaves of the Rolling-Pin | [ 5] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| A Word to the Men-Folks | [ 13] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Concerning Common Things | [ 21] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| The Sewing-Circle, how it was started | [ 29] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Notes taken at the Sewing-Circle | [ 36] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Pebbles, or Diamonds? | [ 42] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Kindling-Wood | [ 49] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Mr. McKimber rises to explain | [ 57] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| “Turn ’em off!” | [ 63] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| A Look Ahead | [ 70] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| Fennel Payne and Adeline | [ 78] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| New Invention wanted | [ 86] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| A Talk in the Schoolhouse | [ 94] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| An Entertaining Meeting | [ 102] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| The Writer faces his own Music | [ 110] |
THE SCHOOLMASTER’S TRUNK.
I.
THE SLAVES OF THE ROLLING-PIN.
PIES again! Always pies! One, two, three, four, this is the fifth time, within, say, ten days or a fortnight, that, to my knowledge, pies have stood in the way of better things.
First, my hostess, Mrs. Fennel, could not leave to take a ride with me a few mornings ago, because “we are entirely out of—pies.” Mrs. Fennel, poor woman, is far from well, and what with husband, grown-up boys, and two small children, not to mention myself as boarder, she has a large family to cook for, and only her daughter Martha to help do the work. That breezy morning-ride would have raised her spirits; it would have put new life into her: but—pies. (This is one time.) Then Miss Martha, who is fond of reading, declined the loan of my library-book the other day on account of having to help her mother make—pies. (Two times.) Last evening she could not run up on the hill to see the sun set, because they were trying to get the meat and apple ready over night for—pies. (Three times.) When poor Mrs. Fennel was taken off her work the other day by one of her frequent ill-turns, Mrs. Melendy came in with offers of assistance.
