A Distant Music by BJ Hoff

Author:BJ Hoff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

The longer Jonathan Stuart spoke, the more Matthew MacAuley found himself struck anew by a genuine admiration for the man and a fresh realization as to why his Maggie and the other children were so devoted to their teacher.

For the first few months after Stuart had come to town, Matthew had thought him quite a puzzle: a good enough sort of fellow, but with his grand education and solitary ways, a bit difficult to warm up to. It had taken a year or more before he could manage to be reasonably at ease with the man.

Even now, he could not help but be sensitive to the differences between the schoolteacher and himself. Whereas Stuart was slight, albeit fairly tall, Matthew had the heavy shoulders and chest, the beefy arms and hands of the MacAuley tribe, causing him to feel something of a lout in comparison. Then too, while Stuart’s grooming was that of a gentleman—never less than impeccable—Matthew could scrub for a month and still not completely rid himself of the black dust ground into his knuckles and under his fingernails from years in the mines.

It seemed that everything about the genteel Jonathan Stuart only served to remind Matthew of his own coarseness.

Over time, though, as he had come to know Stuart better, he often forgot to feel awkward in the schoolteacher’s presence, forgot to be intimidated by his intelligence and fine manners. Instead, he became increasingly appreciative of the man’s kindness and his unflagging efforts to benefit the children in his charge.

He had also come to believe, like Kate, that Jonathan Stuart was “a man owned by God.” It did seem that Skingle Creek’s only schoolteacher was that rarity known as a “good man.”

Despite the respect Stuart had earned for himself, however, Matthew had taken care to warn him not to get his hopes up tonight, for the board members might view his plan as too far-fetched—and too expensive.

Not long into his delivery, though, Matthew realized that Jonathan Stuart apparently had anticipated any objections that might be raised. Watching Stuart, he was surprised at how nervous the teacher appeared to be. He was also gripped by a very real concern for the man as he noted the pallor of his skin, the severe leanness of his frame, and the unmistakable shortness of breath as he spoke.

Slowly, it dawned on Matthew how high a price this address was bound to exact from Jonathan Stuart. It was clear the man had no thought of sparing his pride in order to achieve his goal. Consequently, his respect for the schoolteacher rose another notch.

Only when Stuart was nearly finished with his discourse did Matthew realize that he had been silently but fervently praying for Jonathan Stuart with nearly every word he spoke.

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