Richmond palladium., 1849-10-17

l. ihtCSd. Out cuCil StltH
lite surrounding her. the proudest in tn
school looked mean before her. nee
not tell that this was Mary Mahony.
Presently class was called. and tn
child sprang to the floor. with a face a
| in fevered glow. The lesson was Il
mathematics a verbal one. and desgne
to test the capacities Of the pupils to In
, utmost: but with Nary the questions them
selves seemed TO have been anticipated
for her answers followed as easily an,
rapidly as thougl, she had been ioiln!
upon them for weeks.
The very teacher. though she had beer
classed in the school tor months, secmcl
always 10 regard her with kind Of won
der. And vet. in all the schools. few eve
+ looked kindly upon little Mary Glance.
were exchanged when the teacher lavshet
{ his encomunS. and more than one tongue
whispered in the recess. sn@ering word;
Of Mary Nahonv. the Paddy. But tx
pale face ani quivcrng eyellds Of the sub
lcct alone told how keenly this was felt.
The feeling was more apparent at the
close of the school. when thew wendcd
their way honewards: the Young ladies
all in groups of eight and ten. perhaps
alone. But the groups thinn4d and scat
tered. and by and bv they only walked By
,wos and threes. all talking away briskly-
still, however.
"Yes, ves,'' cried the Younger Of two
girls. as they walked alone through re-
tired street. "Marv Mahony will win if.
without doubt. Why. it is said there no
yer was one offered in a school where she
has been member, she has not taken
since the first day she went to school. I'll
not try, | promise YOU.
"Pshaw! Margaret. Mary Nahonv. in
deed answered the other. .'that HftIc
girl. so much the youngest and smallest
scholar in the class. Give up TO her ia
deed! Why. she is Irish. too
'Nevcr mind that Jane. I'd gladly be
an Irish girl myself. for her capacity.
What answers she gives. declare, sat
to day and listened, till felt my very eyes
run over"
''And a fool you were. Margaret; though.
indeed, I've done the same thing more
than once myself But look at her Mar
garct; old Ireland from her bonnet to her
shoes. No committee would favor her.
depend upon it,
"Old Ireland. Jane, How can YOU talk
50! Would not that face of hers tel, her
superiority in kings palace! She is.
surely. as far above us all in appearance
as in reality. Why. Jane feel kind Of
awe before her. when her face gets lighted
up: it seems 10 me her beauty is unearth-
lyr'
Tut. Margaret. wonder she has not
the broGuc."
..ind always wonder when hear talk.
Jane. Did you ever hear a voice like hers,
Why, if ! am ever SO deep in my studies
and she begins to answer. can attend to
nothing else. Every tone is music
NV ell. Margaret. pray now stop and
breathe awhile; she will never need the
media! with her wonderful voice and Won
derful face and wonderful answers. and
promise you she will never have it besides
\ little. low bred Irish girl 10 out do us all.
ndeed!'
Away went the two girls. drowning
every thought Of prize, and prize gaining.
in a new excitement. Yet little Mary
threaded her way along. " itl as light
step and glad face as they. Now, she
was accosted by a ragged washer woman.
in such tones of fondncss and cndearment
as a mother mi oht use to the darling baby
on her knee: now hod-carrier laid down
his hod to lift her over pile Of bricks: and
now troop Of dirty boys stopped their
shouting to gree: her reverentlv as she
passed by \ little child came toddling
from a poor tenement, to offer her the half
of a rosy apple-a blind old woman called
her 10 the door way where she sat. to Law
her hands upon her head and bless her,
and testimonials Of kindness and respect
her until she disappeared in the
low dwelling that was, for the time, her
home.
Time wore on, and the contest deepen
I'd; bright faces now grew pale and hag-
cared. and the gladest voices were sub
iued TO measured accents Even Jane
Marden, the bold. proud girl. who had
aked so loudly in the street, large and
healthy as she way. carried traces Of her
application; but Marv-who
20 changed as she! Instead of looking
worm from the struggle, her features grew
,niy the more radiant. She sang now in
he morning sometimes, and her laughter
vas heard more then once echoing in the
ard at trecesS.-Somchow. too. the youn-
.er of the pupils drew nearer to her now
han heretofore. and as for the prize. though
he maintained her place and flew on with
Ter usual rapidity. it seemed scarcely to
ccupy her thoughts.
Some change was observed in Mary's
ress. too: a new frock and of better ma
erial had replaced the old: some outlay
ad been made for shoes, bonnet. &c.
nd now. altogether, her appearance was
ot inferior TO the best. Nor. ii was as I
ertained. was she now. as heretofore.
upplied with books by the city. but made
.er own purchases with her own money.
surely. there was a mystery now attend
ne little Mary.
1t was fortnight before the great final
ay. and Mary was threading her solitary
'ay with the old, distracted look, tellinr ,
f her days work. when her footsteps were t
rrested by ringing shout 6
''Ah. Mary-Mary Mahony." cried a {
hid. boys voice. in high glee, and her S
and was seized by true descendant Of 5