The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-11
For the National Era.
THE TEAcHER's TRIAL AND REWARD.
BY MAay IRVING.

L
"At the first moment Of recess, the boys
sprang tumultaously out. stepped near the
door TO listen.
"'Ha! 80 you had to clear up after all, sir =
cried the boy who had been my first informer
"'Whats that to you, pcannny Pete g re
torted The sharp tone of Walter "babes ma,
mind their own business
land big boys better mind their brag !
drawled the other, with hectoring chuckle,
Harsh words followed fast and blows wer,
already on the way. ! called suddenly from
the stone stop
Walter! will you bring me sprig of thai
wild honeysuckle in the field, yonderq wan,
il for my herbarium'
| Nothing restores self-respect and good hu
NOR to culprt 80 etfectually as the commits
sion OF an errand be it ever SO slight. Walter
came back with cOuntenance almost cleared
bringing u quantity Of the fragrant flowers
| opened my Botany, and wiled him to stay,
while found the description Of the plant and
explained the hard, dry terms that defined it,
Then, as laid it between papers to press, his
wondering eyes followed every motion
al don't think should ike herbariam.
he said, blantly, at last, looking down at a
fresh flower which he was yet twirling in his
fingers.
{" Why notp said l. THE flower you arc
holding will fadc-the flowers that you left on
the stalk, will fade. This one though it il
crushed for little while, will not fade, but
will keep its form and remnant of its beauty
"fWell, think should like to study flow
ers, at any rate he said, with interest.
al will teach you as far as can, with
great deal of pleasure" ! said, as | arose te
v;o kha hill Nho, \ nm ,aad h;u, 10
ing TO my seat whispered, lis it hard TO keep
good resolutions, Walterl' He started, and
blushed deeply, for the first time, but took his
seat ia silence
"From that day found little TO trouble nv
peace in Walter. He redeemed his pledge
most honorably and still he kept aloof from
me, as though ashamed of his former conduct
and yet afraid to show that shame. He did
not grow TO my heart as did Eddie. But
mourned the day Of his return TO the distant
city Of snares and temptations, and sighed o.
said to myself Would that noble boy could
he saved !!
"Three years later found me in the sunny
South. was passing the winter in the up
lands Of Georgia, when received letter from
MIR. Carroll Eddies father. He informed me
that his poor boy had left college apparently
far gone in consumption and that he had
been ordered South, as a foriorn hope.
"'My heart bleeds that cannot 20 with
him. the letter ran, "and pillow bis head on
q fathers breast, in the struggle which fear
is too near But you know why that cannot
be. II Is great consolation TO feel that he
will be In tho ncighborhood Of one kind friend.
know how you have befriended my precious
boy, and am sure you will not withdraw your
kind Offices nOso, when they will be his only
s0lacc In strange land
"A few weeks later met the invalid himself
He sat, propped up by sofa cushions, with the
lurid hectic on his cheeks, and that unnatural
light in bis eyes which seems to pierce the
shadow Of death Was IL my Eddie, indeedi
that tall, emaciated, spiritualized being His
voice was oil that reminded me OF the school
boy, ~ no started up with fcverish animation,
and, axclaiming, Miss Wiilis!' sank back
on his couch of cushions. ] did not then ask
him many questions for evidently the sight Of
my face had awakened some thoughts which
distressed him These no afterwards con6ded
10 me, In one Of the many evenings that
spent 10 soothing his suffering and restlessness
"Oh, Miss Wiliis!' he exclaimed, seizing
my hand, and pressing II against bis Burning
forehead--'fo de so youngs
swords Of comfort would have done no good
and only pressed his thin hand in token Of
sympathy.
do you remember and he smiled sadly
~ he looked up what an ambitious boy !
WAS when ! used 70 uit upon that bench Just
before your desk, In that old school house at
honssa You did mt know half tho dreams
that dsgzled we, half the plans formed, and
have since formed for liie--aod now my life Is
ended a
"Did no plan reach beyond life, Edwardl'