ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM, INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
TOWAJNTDA.:
Gatttrlmn Hlornino, ©ctober 27, 1855,
jltltdtb Ipottrn.
AUTUMN.
BY WORDSWORTH.
The sylvan slopes with corn-clad fields
Are hung, as if with golden shields,
Bright trophies of the sun!
J .ike a fair sister of the sky,
Unruffled doth the blue lake lie,
The mountains looking on!
And, si si tli to say, yon vocal grove, "
Albeit uninspired by love,
By love untaught to ring,
May well afford to mortal ear
An impulse more profoundly dear
Than music of the spring!
For that, from turbulence and beat
Proceeds from some uneasy seat
In nature's struggling frame—
Some region of impatient life ;
And jealousy and quivering strife
Therein a portion claim!
This, this is holy, while I hear
These vespers of unotliej year,
This hymn of thanks and praise,
My spirit seems to mount above
The anxieties of human love,
And earth's precarious days!
But list! though winter storms be nigh.
Unchecked is that soft harmony ;
There lives who can provide
For all his creatures, and in Him,
Kven like the radiant seraphim.
These choristers confide.
Stltdtb Cale.
[ From Peterson's Magazine.]
Walter Benson's School
BY A. P. OTIS.
"If it were only a boy's school, Ned ! I
should feel some pleasure in knocking the little
rascals aUHit, and gelling as mnch Latin into
them as mischief out. I should feel like a
carpenter with his own tools in his hands.—
But with girls, I shall resemble said carpenter,
with a dentist's delicate implements. W hat
can I do when I am in a rage at some feminine
piece of stupidity ? I cau't ferule, nor storm,
nor threaten. I can't even swear to relieve my
feelings!"
" You are in an awful fix, "Walter. Can't you
get off? Try something else. Anything is bet
ter than being surrounded by a set of malig
nant girls."
" Malignant, eh !"
" Yes, malignant ? I maintain it. They
will naturally hate you, because you are their
school master, and it will be the delight of
their feminine hearts to torment you—as cats
do mice."
" 1 do not apprehend anything of the kind."
" You are sanguine. But cau't you get out
of it ?"
" -No. I answered my uncle's letter, pro
mising to take charge of his school for him,
before I knew it was a girl's school, and he
has made preparations for a journey to Cuba
for his health. So I can't hack out. It will
]>ut at least one hundred dollars in my jweket,
aud that consoles me for the anticipated tnise
" Well, let me light my cigar, and good-bye
old fellow. I pitv vou. Teaching little girls—
bah !"
He .sauntered away, and left Walter Benson
rc-assuring himself by thinking he should at
least have easy work, and a quiet time during
his college vacation, with a replenished purse at
the end of it. He arrived at his destination, an
ambitions village in New-York, which boasted
its academy ; and this academy was to be his
charge, with its one huudred maiden pupils,and
two lady underteaehers.
School had commenced, and as Walter, ac
companied by his uncle, entered, and passed to
the principals desk which faced the pupils, the
hiiz and stir dropped into deepest silence.—
Halter glanced over the room, and saw the
many iiued assemblage wear but one expres
sion—every eye was fixed on him with eager
curiosity, which his gravity, however, support-
Presently his uncle, laying his hand upon
uis shoulder, aud giving a sonorous—hem—
*hieh seemed to render the curiosity breatli
less, said,
" Aoung ladies—this, till my return, is your
t'acher. ] trust you will so conduct yourselves
h - to give him the same affectionate and re-
Mjcctfal regard for von which you have won
fiom me. Some of you have been in my school
from yog earliest childhood, and I love you as
children ; some are new scholars, and just
to obtain my good opinion, but in all I
• i pride—too much pride and confidence to
Oppose that everything will not be done dn
!n>' absence as well as now. I beg of you
as a favor to your old teacher, to do credit to
f 1 ; and let the world see what
°tior am] principle reign here. I shall teach
pm to-day for the last time in some weeks. But
vannot now say farewell. After school, such
hand""^° r 1Ue ' ma 7 corae *° In y desk aut l shake
falter was quite touched by the good old
aii 5 Motion, and its effect was enhanced,
? re Perhaps, than lie knew of, by a few low
I it attlon >l the scholars.
n 0 sat Triply by his uncle, observing the
nacr recitations, Ac., and gradually bc
f L nin S notice individuals. The first class,
over nr' jlease( l t° see wa3 composed of girls
prett r" y° ars °f a gc, several of them very
: a JVy were moreover, so far advanced
t 0 ira geometry, Latin, Ac., that he hoped
Ths"' Pleasure iu conducting their studies.—
the7 T* Wils *° ''is ]>eculiar charge. To
nen lU '' tea(; hers fell the drudgery of begin
kefor V'°"' was dismissed, each pupil passed
J1 tlle desk, und received a few words of
THE BRADFORD REPORTER.
farewell from their beloved teacher, till all
were gone but the first class, who then cluster
ed around him, and with less restraiut talked
about the journey to Cuba, gave good wishes
and hopes of a return in good health. Mr.
Benson admonished some, encouraged others,
and then said to all, turning to Walter who
sat gravely silent,
44 Now, young ladies, respect my young rep
resentative, and do your best. Arrange your
selves in class order. Walter, this is Sarah
Brown, always head of her class. The next is
Miss White."
He went thus through the class, iutroducing
each separately, but Walter was uot yet old
enough to gaze coolly, and with discrimina
tion at each blushing girl as her name was
mentioned. On the contrary, he was so em
barrassed that though his natural dignity and
gravity served him well, he did pot know a
single young lady's name after it was all over
with.
The pupils then shook hands with their old
teacher, bowed to the new, and departed.
But two had made any impression. The first
attracted his gaze by the brilliancy and transpa
rency of her complexion, which fairly flickered
with changes. Her bright golden curls, and mer
ry blue eyes, her white, small teeth, little figure,
iucessant though gentle motion, made a striking
picture. His uncle called her by her first name,
Caroline.
The other young lady would have remained
entirely unnoticed, had it not been that Mr.
Benson did not release her tiinidlv given hand;
he only transferred it to his left, and so detain
ed her till the others were goue. Then caress
ingly smoothing her soft, brown hair, he dis
missed her also, with an affectionate
44 Good-bye, Louisa, my dear. I will write
to you."
Walter had time to note her well. She was
by no means handsome, but her delicate lady
like features, large dark eyes, and soft, though
not bright complexion, above all her sweet ex
pression and deepening blush, which seemed as
if it would never reach its culmination, made
her very lovely.
" Is she your favorite V asked Walter.
" She is one of my oldest scholars. Caro
line being the only one who came before she
did—and she is a good girl. I detained her
that you might observe her closely, else you
would have been long without discovering her
fine qualities. She is so silent, modest, and
gentle that others push her aside. Her diffi
dence makes her answers hesitating, and you
might not have had sufficient patience to give
her time to rally. Encourage her, Walter,and
be gentle in reproof."
44 She looks as if she would never need re
proof."
44 She is a school girl, and you will soon find
out what that means. Keep a steady counte
nance, Walter, no matter what pranks they
play. Above all, you must obtain respect and
good will, or you might as well be delivered
over to witches. You can do absolutely no
thing with girls unless you have the good
opinion of the school. Unruly exceptions are
thus quelled or held in check by the general
voice. Ask my daughter to tell you how that
poor Mr. C— ; was served last winter, when
lie took my school for a few weeks. At the
end of two he had to be placed in a Lunatic
Asylum."
" Unlucky dog ! I begin to think, uncle,
that I hail better not attempt this. You know
I am the hottest tempered fellow alive."
" I think you will do. Here, Ellen," he said,
as his daughter joiued them, " tell Walter
about C ."
" Oh," she said, 44 if you set me talking of
my school days I shall never be ready to stop.
How I miss the fun !"
44 But Mr. C ," said Walter.
44 Well, M r. C was a tall, middle-aged,
very ugly person, besides not being very clean
ly. His hands and long nails were really dis
pleasing. He had a quick, nervous way of
speaking too, that we did not like. It was too
much like impatience and want of self-command,
a fault, which always excite as much contempt
in us girls as dignity does admiration. His ner
vousness also made him jerk about in an ungain
ly fashion. To crown all, he took snuff, and
wore his hair parted in the middle."
" Ah, that accounts. No wonder with such
a piece of stupidity."
44 Acs, but don't be too complacent till you
are sure you have no little peculiarity of your
own. If yon have the smallest, the girls will
discover and ridicule."
" Well, what did the elves do to him ?"
44 'The first day we shyly observed. After
school our queen of mischief, Carrie, who was
our dictator, went whispering round, making
fun of his oddness. But the second day pass
ed tolerably, though Carrie's merry pcrtness
brought her a sharp, injudiciously administer
ed rebuke. There began his troubles because
we all resented it."
"Served him right."
" Ha, Walter; you are under the spell of
beauty, too, eh?" said his uncle. "Well, so
is the whole school. That girl holds her pow
er by a good use of her pretty face and man
ners. Yes, it was amusing to sec how every
girl considered the affront personal, and burn
ed with indignation at the man who could re-,
buke such charms. It was an insult to them
all, or to their dearest prerogative." "Go on,
Ellen."
44 At the next recitation, when Miss Caro
line should have answered, she only giggled.—
She pretended to be amused at the grave omi
nous stare of the teacher, and held her book
before her face, and gave a little low, merry
laugh, that began to spread through the class
—for we girls laugh easily from sympathy, and
often indeed at nothing. Mr. C glanced
round, and commanded silence, and you could
have heard a pin drop—but it was broken again
by a mischievous little ebullition of mirth from
Caroline, It was irresistible. The whole school
went off again, and every time Mr. C-
thundered " silence !" there was precisely the
same result. So he dismissed the class, and
kept us in till dark. We declared him too spite
ful for auvthing.
" The next morning when wc came to school
every girl had her hair parted to one side, to
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY AT TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, PA., BY E. O'MEARA GOODRICH.
" REfiARDLESS OF DENUNCIATION FROM ANY QUARTER."
show that we wouldn't be like him for any
thing even the slightest way. As Mr. C 's
eye glanced over us all at our desks he chang
ed color, and gave his long hair a nervous push
behind his ears.
" The next torment we invented was in ridi
cule of his dirty paws. We each brought a
little towel and wet sponges, and when he had
corrected our sums began to scrub away at our
slate-frames and pencils which he had touched.
We each had a sum to do on the black-board.
Carrie went up first, and he handed her the
chalk. We all smothered our laugh as she
took it with roguish superciliousness, and when
she had done her sum and pat down the chalk
—held her hand off carefully, and demurely
asked permission to wash it. He said nothing,
but gave us such hard sums and kept us in so
long to do them, that we hated him more than
ever. He got pettish too, that lie scolded
so severely and interminably that we were worn
out for that day.
" But the next morning before school, Caro
line busily circulated little hook and eye boxes,
on which was written "open in rhetoric class."
We took a peep beforehand, but when class
was assembled, wc each slily opened our box
and took a pinch of snuff as Mr. C gave
the first question. Instead of answering, Sa
rah Browu kept her eye-brows raised, her eyes
half open, threw back her head, and brought
it forward suddenly with a loud sneeze. It
went round the class and began again—some
loud, some smothered, some repeated naturally,
some feigned dozens of times. The whole as
tonished school stared at our class, and we
could not help laughing, and sneezing and sneez
ing and laughing, while Mr. C was white
and choking with rage."
Walter raised his hands and eyebrows.—
44 What imps !—what shall save me ?"
44 The next moment we were terrified into
utter breathlessness, for Mr. C really look
ed frightfully angry, as he rose and cried in an
overwhelming voice, " Silence ! Stop that !"
"It was our turn to grow pale. I never
shall forget how scared I was when I had to
give a little sneeze ! But just think of that in
domitable Caroline ! She had started and
trembled too, when he spoke, but when after
an awful silence of a minute, he said peremp
torily."
" What is the meaning of all this V She
answered as meek as a mouse,
44 We have all began to take snuff, sir. It
is the fashion in school now, and not being used
to it—atcheu !"
" Mr. C was at a loss for a minute, but
he recovered and said—
" I shall allow no snuff-taking till I have
written to ask each young lady's parents whe
ther they approve of it. Put away you snuff
boxes, young ladies.
"We were blauk with dismay. But when
we found it was only a threat we were as bad
as ever. But I can't tell you auy more. Our
tricks must be kept in reserve for you. Oh, I
wish I were at school yet !"
" I am very glad there is one mad-cap the
less ! Heaven preserve me from that Caro
line !"
" Caroline ! She is the pet and delight of
all the teachers, they always favor her. Why
even Mr. C liked her so much that
when he dismissed school for the last time, he
requested her to stay a moment, and then beg
ged her pardon for his harshness to her, and
humbly tried to kiss her hand. We were peek
ing in from the dressing-room, and she knew it,
so she snatched away her hand, and then ran
laughing out to us."
" The cruel puss. Has she no remorse T"
44 l)ou't expect mercy from her if you get
into her power, but take the command your
self, Walter, and if you do it well she will sub
mit and like you."
" Thank you Ellen. Upon my word I have
undertaken a rash thing."
" No, no, Walter, you arc young and hand
some. Your dark eyes and white teeth will do
much for you."
" I am glad I shall have some help besides
my own authority."
The next morning saw Walter installed with
an appearance of self reliant dignity that gave
no hint of his fears. After opening school, the
first class wtis called up to recite. Sarah Brown,
head girl, answered respectfully and promptly.
So the next, and the next. Then came Louise.
His voice took a gentler tone as he gave her
the question, but she could not answer it. In
vain she tried to remember. She looked down
musingly, tlieu threw a distressing glance
around, then an appealing oue to him, pressed
her finger to her lips, and her blush grew deep
er every instant. Even after a little prompt
ing she could not go on, and Walter was oblig
ed to say reluctantly, 'the next!'
Caroline lifted up her bluest of eyes, rested
them innocently upon his lips, and unfalteringly
began some nonsense, having only enough re
semblance to what was in the book to show,
either that she had glanced over without com
prehending the lesson, or that she was not
thinking of what she was saying. Walter
looked at her severely, and as she met his frown
ing glance her color flushed up—she paused—
paled—blushed again, and said honestly,
"Please excuse me? I do not know my les
son this morning."
"Had you any good rcasou for not learning
it ?"
Again lifting her eyes, she scanned his face
to know what reply she might dare to give,
and meeting an unrelenting, steady gaze, which
showed that even of her a reasonable and re
spectful answer would be expected, she looked
away abashed and did not reply.
" Miss Caroline will please go to her desk,"
he said with displeasure, "and study while the
class recites. She may remain after school aud
do herself justice by a good recitation "
Humbled and astonished, she turned slowly
and taking her seat she laid her head down
upon her arms, and began to cry violently.
Waltgr was secretly discomposed, so much
so that he hardly knew what he was about
lie impatiently gave the question to the next,
when Louise again faltered, and then blushed
at his haste, when he saw her pale, humbled
face.
When the lesson was over Louise lingered
before the desk.
" Well, what docs Miss. Louise waut ?" he
asked.
" May I do justice to myself by a good reci
tation after school ?"
14 If you wish it," ho replied much pleased.
44 Thank you sir," she said and retired.
After the other scholars had gone, Caroline,
who had recovered her spirits, and Louise, were
summoned to the desk. Louise stood first.—
With a clear, low voice she began the lesson
and recited perfectly.
41 1 commend Miss Louise's perseverance,"
her teacher said, with a smile and bow. If she
will only have a little more confidence iu her
self she will do excellently."
As she stood blushing with delight before
him, Walter could not help feeling the strange
ness of his new position. He, who had lately
been an equal of just such girls, chattering
and flirting with them, to meet now that rever
ent glance, thankful for his praise !
He dismissed Louise, and turned his admir
ing gaze from her to calm it into sufficient
coldness before he should let it rest upon Car
oline.
When he did look at her, he saw her slen
der form trembling, but a look of mischief in
her face that said she was not going to be
good, and "do excellently."
" Begin, Miss Caroline," he said, relentless-
Jy-
She looked up archly, and said, 44 1 don't
know it a bit better thau I did in the morn
ing."
44 Have you studied it ?"
44 No sir."
" Why not ?" No answer. He felt that she
was braving him, and said coldly, " I am
ashamed for you, Miss Caroline. You may
go."
His tone was so reprehensive, yet so gentle
manly, that she was subdued.
44 Do you mean to my desk, to learn it ?"
she asked, hoping she had a chance to redeem
herself.
44 No. I mean you may go home. I never
try to help those who will not help themselves.
I do not wish my time trespassed upon lougcr."
Proud aud angry, she was gone in a moment.
From that day she was refractory. To be
sure, she never failed in her lessons—she would
not again trespass upon his "own time." But
in a thousand ways she annoyed him, by incit
ing to disobedience, by loud whispering, by
answers so coutrived as to raise a laugh with
out giving him occasion to reprove them.
Meanwhile Louise stole gently into his good
will. She was so confiding, so abashed in the
classes, so fond of staying after school to prove
to him that she did know her lessons. The
girls generally called upon each other for as
sistance iu doing difficult sums—she brought
them directly to him, and by her strict atten
tion gratified him. It was a refreshment to
teach her.
There was inscribed upon one corner of the
black-board the words, "The most worthy,"
and upon the other 44 The most unworthy."—
Under the first of these a name was placed
every Monday morning, before school com
menced, showing who had been most commend
able during the past week. It remained till
the next Monday, and was seen by all visitors.
No name was ever put under the other words
unless there had been some great delinquency.
The first glance of the scholars as they enter
ed on Monday morning was to see who bore
off the highest honor.
Walter, in his extreme annoyance at Car
oline's conduct, and in his desire to make some
impression on her thoughtless nature, formed a
plan which he thought would answer. Ac
cordingly, when on Monday morning, he threw
open the school-room door to admit the pupils,
he wptched its effect.
It should have been said before, that even
among the scholars Caroline lost favor. In a
girl's school there is always one exalted above
the rest, a unanimously elected queen, whom
all others delight to honor, and Louise, now
stepped into this place whence Caroline had
been deposed. Louise, and admiration of the
new teacher, succeeded Caroline, rebellion and
merry mischief. This change was very mark
ed, and Louise felt her ascendancy with pride
and exultation. She became scornful in her
treatment of one whom formerly she .dared
not even try to rivul, while Caroline, though
grieved to lose her hitherto unconsciously en
joyed popularity, seemed glad Louise had come
to be appreciated. She looked upon hgr with
envy, but with admiration.
As Walter watched, he saw Caroline whis
per joyously to Louise, "Oh, Louise, there you
are up for most worthy. Ain't you glad ?"
and her own face shone genuine pleasure.
Louise blushed with delight, but when her
glance fell upon the opposite name, that blush
only deepened, while a look of triumph stole
into her face.
44 See, sec," she said, maliciously touching
Caroline's arm, and pointing out to her, her
name in the long unoccupied place, under the
words, "most unworthy." Caroline saw, and
a look of deepest wounded feelings overwhelm
ed her joyous countenance. She cast a re
proachful glance at Walter and left the room.
He bit his lip. Disappointed in Louise,
and regret at the severity of his punishment
of what was only youthful frolic and love of
mischief, made him very much disconcerted
with himself. He waited anxiously for Car
oline's return, and at last sent one of the
young ladies for her, who returned saying she
had gone home. lie was afraid he should
uot see her again.
He had au absent air all day, and when
Louise softly applied for some help in her sains,
almost scornfully referred her to Sarah Brown.
It gave him groat satisfaction to see Car
oline enter the room next morning. She left
on his desk an excuse from her father, for her
yesterday's absence, resumed her seat, aud
readily applied herself to her studies.
When school was about being dismissed,
Walter arose and said, 44 Young ladies, this
name was not put here for a week, but only
for a single day, that she who hears it may
see how her conduct appears to others ; bow
very unworthy of her great gifts and good
heart, such trifling and childishness is."
He soleniulv erased the name, amid a silenec
only broken by Caroline's almost inaudible
sobs. As he glanced over his class, he thought
Louise's face wore a look of disappointment.
School was dismissed, but those sunshiny curls
were still flung over the desk, while the weep
ing girl hid her face in her arms.
Walter pitied her, and thinking it would be
better now, when her feelings were at last
touched aud softened, to give her some friend
ly counsel, he approached aud said iu a low
voice,
44 Miss Caroline, will you permit me to say
a few words to you ?" She lifted her head as
if to listen, but her face was still buried in her
handkerchief. Walter's advico ( gjysj iw'
kindly £ gently, procured for him an appof
ogy for misconduct, sobbed out from the very
bottom of her heart, aud when he said.
44 Now do not distress yourself farther, Miss
Caroline, or I shall think myself a cruel tyrant
for having so used my power to wound you.
I >ry your tears, and smile again for my com
fort." She turned away, sobbing afresh, mur
muring, 44 but I deserved it all 1"
After she had gone, Walter spent his noon
hours iu self-reproach, and regret. But it was
in vain to wish now, that he had had more pa
tience, that lie had discriminated latter, be
tween good natured frolic, and smooth good
ness, assumed to eurry favor. Yet when Lou
ise again stood before him that afternoon, lis
tening with earnest attention to his explanation
of the lesson, when her color stole up as he
spoke to her, he believed he had only ascribed
ill-feelings where it had no place.
Before the school-house was a mill-pond, fro
zen over, so as to make excellent sliding or
skating. Between morning aud ofternoon ses
sions the girls enjoyed the opportunity for the
favorite exercise. Walter often gazed from
the window upon the gay, flitting forms, laugh
ing aud screaming with glee, and longed to be
where his dignity forbade him to go. He was
boy enough yet to have his heart bound ut the
sight of the sport, and also to feel disappoint
ed at being merely a spectator. If a very
merry laugh reached him, he could not help
joining in it, and he held his breath while the
girls skimmed in succession down the long slide.
If he ouly had skates and liberty !
With a sigh he left the window one day, and
went down to his dinner, in a wiug of the build
ing. lie was about to return to the school
room, when he was met by a crowd of scholars,
who began to speak all at once, in great ex
citement. He could ouly make out—
-44 Carrie—fainted—slipped on the ice !" and
several of her companions entered, bearing in
her slight form. She was not insensible, but
mutely enduring the severest pain, which took
from her all power of movement. As she was
brought to Walter, she gazed imploringly at
him, and her pale lips moved to say, 44 my
arm."
It was cold down stairs, and as the place
was only nsed as a lecture room, there was
nothing in it but piled up benches. She must
go up stairs, therefore, where there was a sofa,
and fire, in the dressing-room.
Taking her gently in his arms from her trem
bling companions, Walter carried her up, her
fair head lying on his shoulder, in total uncon
sciousness of every thing but intense pain.—
He sent instantly for her parents, and a phy
sician, bat meanwhile she opened her eyes, and
said,
44 My arm is broken, sir. Can you straight
en it ?"
Walter dared only give relief by cutting
open the tight, blue, merino sleeve of her dress,
and gently bathing the swelling arm in cold
water. Every touch hurt her severely, but
when he expressed his regret, she smiled sweet
ly aud reassured him.
44 Little heroine I" he said, admiringly, and
he was aware that one among the numerous
scholars who had beeu standing around moved
away and went to the school room. Soon he
heard the girls whispering among themselves.
44 Louise crying ! What for 1"
44 Because Carrie is suffering, I suppose."
44 I didn't know she cared so much for her."
Walter felt the words echo iu his own heart,
with the word I in the place of she.
44 1 will go aud comfort her," said the first
speaker.
44 Is it Louise who cares so much for me ?"
asked Caroline, faintly.
44 We all do," said one of the girls.
44 But is Louise crying for me ? Do tell her
I am better, that Mr. Benson has made me
much more comfortable. Don't let her cry !"
and tears begun to flow from her own eyes.
Her companion who went with her message,
returned, and a still low whispering began.—
Caroline was again suffering acutely from the
awakened feeling cansed by her tears and she
did not hear it, but Walter caught the words.
44 She says she's artful and did it on purpose
to make Mr. Benson pity her."
44 Ridiculous ! I always thought that Louise
a mean thing," was the reply.
44 Yes, she's jealous. That's what she's cry
ing for. I declare I can hardly help telling
Mr. Benson. There he is, thinking her the
pink of ]>erfection.
The doctor arrived, and the arm was set
without forcing a cry from the patient girl.—
Her parents had also come in a carriage to
take her home. Her father approached to lift
her, but she whispered that she wished to
thank Mr. Benson . Walter bent over her,
and through her tears she sobbed, 44 1 am so
sorry that I cannot come to school again be
fore you leave. I wanted so much to make
you think better of me. I was the most un
worthy, but if I could only let you see what I
can be 1" She broke into a smile, and Walter,
to whom her tears had been almost irresistibly
infectious, found her smile entirely so. As she
looked into his beaming face, she for the first
time seemed to see that her teacher was almost
as young as herself.
44 Good-bye Mr. Bcnsou. Thank you for
your kindness to my poor arm," she said hold
ing out her hand frankly.
He clapped it gently, and longed to dare to
I kiss it, hut with fifty scholars, the doctor, aud
' parents as spectators, he thought best to fore-
VOL. xvi.—xo. 20.
go the pleasure. He fancied she understood
his wish, so bright a blush sprang up.
The remaining weeks of Walter's teaching
wore dull enough. Louise's sweetness seemed
assumed, and her frequent need of assistance
was very irksome to him. The happy part of
his day was the few minutes he spent in the
parlor, when Caroline generally sat reading by
her mother's side. He never failed to call and
ask how she was, and snatch a few moment's
gaze at that bright face becoming so very dear
to him.
His last day at the accademy arrived.—
Walter was so abstracted he scarcely knew
what he was doiDg, and he thought with dis
pleasure of the leave-taking. Ho made it
geueral, and did not invite any particular
adieus after school. Therefore the scholars
departed as usual, and Walter was left alone.
Even the teachers had gone, and he sat at his
desk, thinking how long these weeks had been
and how full of import to him. liaising his
eyes, a girlish form stood before him, with
head bent and hands clasped, while the death
ly pale and downcast features wore an expres
sion of grief.
" Well, Miss Louise ?" he said freezingly.
She started slightly, and placing her clasp
ed hands over her heart, lifted her full dark
eyes, and said beseechingly," Do you hate me 1"
He felt irritated enough to say " Yes," but
answered with assuming gravity aud scutcn
tiousness,
" Deserve regard and you will be sure to ob
tain it. Good-by—l wish you well." Shu
did not move.
<r Will you tell me how I have forfeited
your good opinion ?" she asked.
" 1 cannot!" he said impatiently. "Do not
ask me. lam your teacher 110 longer. My
opinion is of no consequence to you now."
" No," she said, her face pale, but her eyes
glowing angrily, " for it is that of au easily
deluded, self-important boy 1"
Astonished, after enjoying so long the re
spect belonging to his dignity, he found tho
severity of his look melting in embarassmcnt
while Louise regarded him fixedly.
" Yes," she said, "we meet now on equal
terms, Mr. Benson, aud I can reply to you as
to any other presumptuous young gentleman
who takes as much upon himself. Caroline
aud I have often laughed at your boyish as
sumption of authority."
Walter thought of the black-board and
changed color. Louise still regarded him with
eyes eager in revenge. He did not eare to be
braved farther, and rose, saying,
"My presumption uever went so far as to
ask any favor of Miss Louise. If Caroline
has laughed at me she shall have an opportunity
of explaining herself. Allow me 1" aud he
stepped past her as she stood in his way.
His good heart could not bear her look of
disappointment and grief. Turning quickly,
and taking her passive band, he said, " For
get my hasty words. I do not believe you
came here to say what would Drake us part
angrily, and I am sorry I did not perceive at
once your kindness in thus giving me an op
portunity to ask pardon for my frequent im
patience. You forgive me ?"
She scornfully turned away, and Walter he
sitated no longer, but left the room. He was
touched however as he returned to the ante
room to leave the key, to see her sitting at his
desk, weeping bitterly.
He was asked to tea that evening by Caro
line's parents, aud went, accompanied by his
cousin Ellen.
Caroline received him laughiugly, aud they
passed a merry evening.
Walter watched an opportunity, and while
the others clustered around the piauo listening
to Ellen's siuging, he asked her whether Louise
had spoken truly in saying they had laughed
together at his boyishness.
Caroline's eyes liew wide open, and she an
swered,
"No, never ! I mean we never laughed,"
aud unwilling to expose her schoolmate's want
of truth, she said 110 more.
Walter rejoined, " I am very glad 1 I would
not have you laugh at me. There is a feeliug
incompatible with ridicule that I hope may—"
Caroline's quick blush aud suddenly drooped
head betrayed her consciousness. In broken
whispered sentences Walter told her how she
had won his heart, and though she did not vol
unteer a similar confession, he guessed too well
not to risk asking her father's consent to a long
engagement the next day.
It was denied him then, but when after three
years he again presented himself, having pros
pects sufficiently bright to warrant a careful
father iu consenting, Caroline pledged him her
faith, and so tliey walked together in the plea
saut summer starlight, talking over old school
days. Caroline often sighed in the midst of
her haj>piness, anil said, " I'oor Louise !"
SUICIDE IX APAUACITIV.— On Saturday last,
Mr. Lucius Steele, of Apalachiu, committed
suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. He
he had been in feeble health for several years,
and, although in competent circumstances as to
property,had recently been heard to express ap
prehensions of coming to want, which, with
other circumstances, leads to the necessary con
clusion that he was deranged.
Mr. Steele was a prominent and respectable
citizen, and his death will prove an irreparablo
loss to a large circle of friends and the commu
nity in which he lived—all the more afflictive
from the tragic manner of its accomplishment.
Mr. JOSEPH SAYRE, who resides in the
town of Union, four miles west of Bingham
ton, N. Y., committed suicide, by cutting his
throat with a razor, 011 Saturday evening last.
Mr. Savre has, for a number of years past,
been subject to what is called low turns j and,
on the previous day, had followed tothegraTO
the remains of an only son. Mr. Sayre was iu
good circumstances, and universally respected
as a citizen.
IKST Gratitude is the music of the heart
| when its chords are swept by the breeze of
kiaducss.