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Shortly after, little Jumper gave a wonderful proof of his sagacity. The children had just finished their lessons, when the dog ran in, and seizing Margery's apron, tried to pull her out of the schoolroom.

She allowed the dog to drag her out to the garden, and he returned and brought out one of the children in the same manner; upon which Mrs Margery called them all into the garden. This saved all their lives, for in less than five minutes after, the roof of the house fell in.

This was a great loss to Mrs. Margery, who had no place to teach in; but Sir William Dove caused another school to be built at his own expense, and she got the use of Farmer Grove's hall till it was ready, which was in the centre of the village. While there she learned the farmer's servants and neighbours to read and write, and by degrees became so esteemed in the parish, that almost every one consulted her, and many serious disputes where settled by her advice.

Mrs. Margery, who was always doing good, contrived an instrument to tell when the weather was to continue favourable or unfavourable; by which means she told the farmers when to mow the arrass and gather in the hay with safety. Several persons, who suffered in their crops by not consulting Margery, were so angry at their losses, that they accused her of being a witch and sent Gaffer Goosecap, a silly old meddling fool, to obtain evidence against her.

This old fellow entered the school as Margery was walking about, having the raven on one shoulder, the pigeon on the other, the lark on her hand, and the lamb and dog at her side, and he was so frightened, that he cried. "A witch! a witch!"

Margery exclaimed, smiling, "A conjurer! a conjurer!" and he ran off; but soon after a warrant was issued against her, and she was carried before a meeting of the justices, followed by all the neighbours.