University of Virginia Library

5. CHAPTER V.
WOMAN'S NATURE.

When the spring came, there was a change of teachers
in the village school. Richard Hallidon, who for twelve
years had swayed the birchen rod, was dismissed, and as
a more talented and accomplished individual was hired in

his stead, Mrs. Seymour concluded to send Frank there
to school. Alice was his daily companion, and the intimacy
between them was a subject of much ridicule for
their companions.

Frank liked the fun of being teased about Alice, but
she always declared that her preference for him, if she had
any, arose from the fact that he was much better behaved
than the other boys. Her affection was at last put to the
test, in the following novel manner:

As she and some of her companions were one night returning
from school, they came suddenly upon a group
of boys, who were calling out, “That's it, Frank. Now
make her draw. Who-a, haw, get up, Tabby.”

Coming near, they discovered a kitten with a cord tied
round its neck. To this cord was attached Frank's dinner
basket and books. “He was tired of carrying them,”
he said, “and he meant to make kitty draw them.”

“Frank Seymour!” said Alice, indignantly, “let that
cat go, this instant.”

Frank stood irresolute. There was something in the
expression of Alice's eye which made him uncomfortable.
He thought of the worms' nest, but one of the boys called
out, “Shame, Frank; don't be afraid of her.”

So Frank again attempted to make kitty draw the basket.
In a twinkling, Alice pitched upon him. The boys
gathered round and shouted, “A fight! a fight! Now
for some fun! Give it to him, Alice! That's right, hit
him another dig!”

The contest was a hot one, and on Frank's part a bloody
one, for Alice seized his nose and wrung it until the blood
gushed out! He, however, was the strongest, and was
fast gaining the advantage. One of the girls perceived
this, and turning to her brother, said, “Bob, help Alice;
don't you see she's getting the worst of it?”

Thus importuned, Bob fell upon Frank and belabored
him so unmercifully that Frank cried for quarter. “Shall
I let him alone, Alice?” said Bob. “I will do just as
you say.”

Alice's only answer was a fierce thrust at Bob's hair,
hands full of which were soon floating on the air, like thistles
in the autumn time.

“I declare, Alice,” said Bob's sister, “I always knew
you liked Frank, but I did not think you'd fight so like a
tiger for him.”

If this speech caused Alice any emotion, it was imperceptible,
unless it were evinced by the increased brilliancy
of her eyes, which emitted such lightning flashes, that during
their walk home Frank very modestly suggested to
her the propriety of keeping her eyes shut, while going
through the woods, lest the dried leaves and shrubs should
take fire! It is needless to say that thenceforth Frank
and Alice were suffered to fight their own battles, undisturbed
by Bob or any of his companions.