Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-04-07
CHAPTER II.


LIZZIE LEES heart sank within her
when the next morning she entered the
village school house. There we're about
fifty children assembled. some of them
taller than herself: besides this. the half
Of them were so rude and awkward look
ing that at the first glance it seemed i'm
possible ever to bring them to any degree
Of civilization But the little school mis-
tress summoned courage and with remem-
brance of the dear. kind mother and gen
tie sister at home depending almost Who'll
Is on her exortion, walked with firm step
to her desk
The scholars glanced uncasIy at each
other as she turned over the leaves of n
large Bible that lay before her, for Dame
Birch had been accustomed every morn
ing to read two or three chapters in the
good book. aud those the most difficult OF
comprehension too. and then she would
finish the morning services by repeating a
long prayer which had been composed BY
one of the deacons of the village at her
request. expressly for her. and the words
of which were as familiar to her hearers
as their alphabet
During this exercise the children whis-
pered. giGgled, yawned in short. did ev-
cry thing but attend to 1t for the prayer
was filed with sentences thev could not
understand. and the old Iadv's voice was
remarkably shrill and unmusicaI So
when Lizzie turned over the leaves Of the
Bible the youngsters glanced wearily at
each other. as though fatigued bv the mere
thought of what was expected bat when
she commenced in a low sweet. but clear
voice to read that beautiful chapter where
in the Saviour SAYS Suffer little chill
dren to come unto me for of such Is the
kingdom Of Heaven" perfect silence reign
cd throughout the apartment. and when
that was ended she clasrnd her hands
and ferventIv offered n short prayer for
tie welfare Of those under her charge.
and for strength to guide them Alright. ev-
erv ear eagerly drank in the words. and
when the bird-lke strains died awav. ev-
erv eve was turned with an expression Of
half-wonder half admiration upon the
new school-mistress.
It was near noon when the door Of the
school room was thrown carelesslv open
and a tall strong bov of some fifteen
years entered He had 4 bold but intel
lectual face. and though the spirit of mis-
chief lurked in the corners Of his mouth.
and sparkled in his gray ewes. his high
brow told Of nobler, better thoughts to
be awakened
Lizzie Lee raised her head from the
book she held in her hand and met the
saucy look Of the lad. who still wore his
cap on his head.
I believe it is usual at length. she
said mildly, for scholars to remove their
caps on entering the school room
With a half ashamed. helf defan. air,
the bov removed his cap. and then came
forward and took his seat upon one of the
front benches. in a class composed of
Youths Of about his own ace. But It was
soon evident that he did not come there
for the purpose of studying, for she
caught the words. 50 that's the new
teacher is it?-little thing. III never
get whipped now: intend after this to
do as I please
And all shat day Dick Wild dill DO as
he pleased he kept the school in con
tinued roar of laughter By his mischiev-
GUS pranks- First. tying handkerchief
upon his head in imitation Of cap. and
fixing a pair Of enormous spectacles he
had obtained, no one knew where. upon
his nose. he confronted his associates in
the manner of the lamented Dame Birch:
then he rose and walked with the mine
ing step Of DR.. Queer. the village phvsi-
clan. to Lizzie Lee, on pretence Of asking
some question about a lesson His ex-
ample encouraged the rest, who. before
his coming. had been quite attentive and
the weary school mistress vas right glad
when three o'clock came and the unruly
band dispersed The little Merry's alone
had treated her with love and respect, and