The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-03-02
Is't not enough that | must wear,
The garb that speaks the lowly born.

The garb that speaks the lowly born
If this were all, would not shrink,
Id not regret my darkcncd youth:
But oh I cant endure TO think
Suspicion rests upon my truth.
All then my teacher, list to me,
Take bach 'from me tn iiry 'iH"rGcc
Let me but feel that am rrr,.
10 hold in thy cstrrra . place.
Then ask Inc not the reason WIZ,
| cannot, must not speak the truth
And yet would not tell n lie;
Believe merit not rcproof.
heard the hum ofvoces, and the rush
of feet as the girls passed out at recess,
but moved not lifted not my head un-
til felt an arm thrown around me, and
looking up, lmet the sympathizing glance
of Helen II. | could not shed tear,
though tears would have relieved my
burning brow, but tremblcd with emo
ton as she spoke kiud'y to me.
Shall I interccdc for you, Clara :" said
she.
shook my head, but rs her ewes rest
ed on the paper before me, she added,
see you have writtcn-pcrmit me to
read the lines :"
Oh, :" exclaimed; but she had
caught sight of some of the words, and
gently removing my hand, she read the
lines. hardly knew what they were nv
self, and surely could not have then re-
peated them; but what was my surprise,
to seeher with tears rolling down her
cheeks, hand the paper to Mr.. c., who at
that moment was approaching us. Has
tily, and with an exclamation of annoy
ance, | sprang forward to snatch the pa
per, but | was too late g; and at the stern
look Of my preceptor, sunk into my seat
abashed, nor did again lift my weary
eyes until he retired to his desk, and then
rs cast glance Of reproach toward nv
friend, she only smiled qnict smile, and
moved 10 hor soat.
AS the girls came pouring into the
room, Mr.. &. called the school to order
and then demanding attention, observed.
wish to remark that exoncratc
Clara from all blame in regard to her O.
mission this morning, and regret exccc-
dinghy that for one moment gave her
a cause to think that she had fallen in
my esteem, for | shall ever hold her in
my affection as one of the brightest orna-
Inents in nv school,"
Could | have heard Alright a., The re-
vulsion. of feeling was great my head
swan, nv brain seemed to blaze, and |
knew nothing more until felt rush of
cool air upon me, and opened nav ewes to
find myself supported by Mr.. G. and Hell
en, while the scholars were grouped about
me with faces of CONSERVATION. Mr.. G..
sent Helen home with me in carriage,
but days passed which | was unconscious
Of, raving necessarily, my mother after
wards told me, about my composition.
Mr.. &. and wife, also Helen and her
mother, were INV constant visitors, and
friends indeed did they prove to my moth
er and myself. Helen told me that nv
teacher, though usually so stern, wept like
a child as he stood by my bedside, and
heard ME in my delrium, telling how my
composition was destroyed.
1t was many weeks before could again
attend school, but in my hours of conva-
lcsccncc I VIC seized with my old passion
for writing; but never supposed that any
other eyes but my mothers saw my cffu-
sions.
What was nv a<'onislmcnt. when one
day Helen can" bounding into my r,rm.
and throwing bundle OF paper into my
lap, together with ten dollars, sunk on; Of
breath into Z chnlr. My looks asked an
explanation palmer than my tongue could
have done, and she smilingly pointed to
the papers. | opened ore after another
Of popular weekly, and there before my
eyes were printed my own little poems.-
Helen explained that my mother had per-
mitted her to read my humble writings,
and she had carried them all to an uncle
Of hers, whe being conDectcd with the pa
per held in my hand, had published them
and sent me the money which Helen had
brought, with the request that would IA,
vor him constantly.
was overpowered at first, but gradual
ly sense. # delight ptr'aded my heart,
that by that means could tighten the la
Dor Of my dear mother, and whilst was
following the bent Of my own iuclinations,
at the same time contribute towards my
support.
Ihad playfnlly signed Agnes" when
| had written, and as perceived the pie
ces Helen brought were thus signed, con-
tinucd to write under this signature, and
many were the little comforts | obtained
for my parents.
remained at school about a year after
my illness, but somehow school had chan
ged, or else II own heart had changed,
for | no longer felt chilled by neglect or
scorn. All appeared bright and joyful.
My teacher ever gave me a kind word
aud glance, and my schoolmates were
kindness personificd. j stopped not to
reminded myself that my companiors had
not thought il worth while to notice me
until became favorite with the master,
bat pursued my studies with a light
heart.
When was fifteen, Helen left school to
visit Europe with her parents, and about