igh temper all
melted away, and my mind went back to the old farm in New England, and I
declare, schoolmaster, I just threw my apron over my head and began to
cry, and I told Gretchen never to play that tune again when I was talking
to husband for his good.

"Well, one day there came a lot of Injuns to the house and demanded
fire-water. I am Methody, and don't keep any such things in the house.
Husband is a sober, honest man. Now, I've always noticed that an Injun is
a coward, and I think the best way to get along with Injuns is to appear
not to fear them. So I ordered the stragglers away, when one of them swung
his tommyhawk about my head, and the others threatened to kill me. How my
heart did beat! Gretchen began to cry; then she ran all at once for her
violin and played the very same tune, and the Injuns just stood like so
many dumb statues and listened, and, when the tune was over, one of them
said 'Spirits,' and they all went away like so many children.

"Now, I thought you would like to hear my gal play between schools, and,
if ever you should get into any trouble with your scholars or Injuns or
anybody, just call upon Gretchen, and she will play that tune on the
violin."

"What wonderful tune is it, madam?"

"I don't know. I don't know one tune from another, though I do sing the
old Methody hymns that I learned in Lynn when I am about my work. I don't
know whether she knows or not. She learned it of a German."

"I am glad that you let her bring the instrument. I once played the violin
myself in the orchestra of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society."

"Did you? Then you like it. I have a word or two more to say about
Gretchen. She's a good gal, and shows her bringing up. Teach her reading,
writing, and figures. You needn't teach her no grammar. I could always
talk without any grammar, in the natural way. I was a bound-girl, and
never had much education. I have had my ups and downs in life, like all
the rest of the world. You will do the best you can for Gretchen, won't
you?"

"Yes, my dear madam, and for every one. I try to make every one true to
the best that is in them. I am glad to have Gretchen for a scholar. I will
speak to her by and by."

How strange was the scene to Gretchen! She remembered the winding Rhine,
with its green hills and terraced vineyards and broken-walled castles;
Basel and the singing of the student clubs in the gardens on summer
evenings; the mountain-like church at Strasburg; and