The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-02-19


around you. Mr.. Larkins has been telling
me that you INDUCED them in singing du.
ring school hours and furthermore, he :
says the district objects to il, as it occupies
the time which should be devoted TO study.
As am their chosen committee, name
it in compliance with their united requests
Pain and deep surprise were visible ID I,
Annie's expressive face, and she impul-
sively exclaimed, Why, the very birds
welcome the morning with song Of
praise!'
That's all well enough for the BIRDS y
said Larkins, but children aint birds, no
how you can fix it. don't want bird
made Of my boy, anyhow. He's worthless I,
and good-for-nothing enough now, without !
that p
But. Mr.. Larkins, pleasantly interposed
Mr.. Fortescue, singing has recently been
introduced into most. if not all of our city
schools, and is thought TO exert q very
happy influence H
Il don't care for that said Larkins,
waxing warm; Il aint one of that sort that's
for running after every new-fangled city
notion--not ]. If do live here in the J
woods, know something, and want my
boys to come up working men, instead Of
dancing, singing puppets; and if ] hear
any more of this folderol, my boy is COM 4
ing out of school, d
of course, interposed Annie, Il shall
consult the wishes Of my employers; and
if singing in school is offensive to them,
suppose it must be dispensed with,' and
her lids dropped sorrowfully, till the long
ashes almost kissed her cheeks.
What, Nit Harlow, aint we doing to-
have no more musit?' mournfully lisped 1
little cherub. whose hand she fondly
clasped. Others of the children. looking !
sadly at each other, murmured, No more
singing A a,,rs,
No more singing reiterated the un.,
moved Larkins, as he walked away. He
had carried his point. He was satisfied.
'How difficult thing it is to have salts
factory dealings with man who knows
just enough TO think he knows everything
remarked the doctor to his friend, as they,
walked towards home. Annie is tho
sweetest girl in the world, and could
scarce bear to pain her. She is right, but
that is nothing to the case here. They do
not appreciate her, they cannot appreciats,
her. Why, Warren, her purity and gen-
tleness, joined to her indomitable perse-
verance, have wrought the greatest change
ever Witnessed, both in the morals and
manners, as we'll as appearance of these
country lads. Her influence has made D.
complete little gentleman Of one of this,
same Mr.. Larkins' boys, boy once a.,
uncouth as monkey. And this is the
way in which they recompense her. 1t.
was with difficulty that prevailed on some
of the people to send their boys to school
this summer. but know that this place
was never before blessed with such a
teacher, Even now, they admit that their.
boys do as much work and attend school,
as they formerly did, and used up all their,
time, and need far less coaxing or driving;
for driving is the word here
By the way, Warren, speaking of sing
ing, Annie has sweet voice, which has
been we'll cultivated. and as you are q,
musical character, willinvite her up eome
Of these times. You, who are so accus.i
toned to society, will feel quite dull here,
and it will be a little agreeable change tor
you. | expect the dear child would be
gladto come. She must have lonesome
time of it. though she always wears q
smiling face, poor child h.z
'You are very kind. DOCTOR replied
Fortescue. AS to my feeling dull here, il,
would be quite impossible, in this rursl
spot, contrasting so delightfully."- in its
sweet quietude, with the turmoil of the
city. Speaking Of society, | am sick,
heartily sick, Of its corrupt state in ths,
city, and wearied with the hollow.hearted
forms Of fashionable life. | have antici-
pated welcome reprieve, amidst these
smiling meadows and groves; and now,
with music, and the pure and artless An
ME Harlow for companion, I shall be
happier than ever before in my life.'
Sad faces gathered in the school-houss
on the following morning. There was no
music there, and even Miss Harlow SEEM
ed sorrowful. When she announced the
time for recess, instead of . Simultaneous
movement for the door, to her surprise, sI
kept their seats, and Mike and Job winked
impatiently, though silly, at ono Of the
small boys, Ned Fisher. .ss8q
At length Ned raised his hand. ai
what do you wish, Edward!' said An
ME encouragingly. efii
With blush, he stammered, Need ws
have no recessl Ii mean I-want to-
sing and not 60 out
'Need we have any recess, you meant
repeated Annie, kindly. well, Edward,
| don't know about that Boys, do you
think this will do? Win not some Of your
parents objectl' sAs.eo
mo, no, no. was heard from all parts
of the school house. 8
well, we will try, and if there are no
objections raised, | should be as happy a.
anu Of Won 10 confinna N do ao W.