Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-24
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY,

which information she communicated with
great glee to all who came in her way.
Monday found Mrs. May on the way to
school with her daughter, heroically neryed
to offer a sacrifice on the altar of duty, and
the child highly exhilarated with anticipated
pleasure. They soon reached their destina-
ton, and were ushered into the schoo!-room
BY the teacher, whom must introduce to
you. She was highly respectable person
age of about sixty years upon the death of
her husband she had found it necessary to
resort to some means to make living. Her
sight being impaired by age she could not
use her needle, and she was hardly strong
enough for a boarding-house mistress Teach.
ing small children seemed to come more
within her range of capabilities, and she de-
,ided upon that. AS TO her phiz--she had
a nose and chin pretty sharpened; her
whole face, not remarkable for its beauty or
sweetness of expression, was lighted Hp with
pair of gray eyes, that looked down rather
sternly than lovingly, upon the little group
around her. No weakness of character be-
trayed itself in her features, such as a way
ward child might take advantage Of There's
heard to say. Be right up and down with
them, that's the only way By pursuing
this course she had usually managed to Sc.
cure obedience, though she failed to gain
love. She had tact at making the chill
dren learn her patrons generally said; but
the children never uttered any praises in fa-
vor ofthe teacher. They knew, poor things !.
how their AB-AB's had been drilled into them,
as they stood beneath those cold gray ewes,
when they neither dared to look off or hesi-
tate for fear Of the consequences.
The room, which Mrs. May had been ra-
ther nervously scanning since she came in,
bore the impress of it's mistress. No friend
was Mrs. Btrker to modern innovations,
as she would hare it, so the benches were of
old fashion, without backs, and placed at
sufficient distance from the wall to prevent
the pupils leaning against it for support a.
bout thirty scholars were ranged upon them,
their little feet dangling in the air; in case
Of losing their equilibrium, no chance was
there Of saving themselves front or rear
Ella clung to her mothers hand, and could
not at first be prevailed upon to remain; she
was frightened, and was only paciied by be-
ing seated between two little girls with whom
she was somewhat familiar.
Mrs. May anxiouslv watched for the
return fher darling child at noon, and when
the sound of her little feet and CHEEKY voice
fell on her ear she hastened to meet her.
Ella don't want to 60 to cool, lady ism t
pretty said the child.
Mrs. May diverted her for the tiune with
caresses, and really felt it would be cruel to
send her again in the afternoon. But as ed
ucation had fairly commenced it must be
carried on; so by means of coaxing and a
little bribiug she was persuaded to go again
quietly.
Had some philanthropist just then sug
gested to Mrs. Nav that three hours tuition
might be as profitable as six and that close
confinement was not absolutely necessary tC
the proper development Of the infant mind
she might have lent listening ear.
A B G, whistled through the shrill voice
of her teacher, was rather dull music to little
Ella compared with the loving tones of he
own dear mamma. Pity that mamma had
not better estimated her own powers, ant
felt that she was far more capable of giviny
her all the instruction her infantile years re
quired Soon enough some years to come
to trust the little one to the unloying gui
dance of strangers It was better to stay a
home, and play, and sing. and gambol abou
all day long to her hearts content, subjec
only TO her mothers gentle away.
But modern improvements have give
quick impetus to every thing within the rang
Of motive power Children, long ere the
have reached ther first decade, are no,
young ladies and gentlemen. So after th
lapse Of five or six years it is no longer Ii
tie Ella with whom we have to do, but Mis-
May, pupil in the Misses Fitzwiliam FasE
ionabIe School for Young Ladies. With th
aid Of very careful training, both at hom
+ and at school, she has laid aside most of be
Juvenile ways and deports herself now quit
like Young lady. She has been taught tn:
j it is very hoidenish to laug gh loud to rur
4 Jump, or make any other strong natural d.
}, monstration indicative of childhood, and tent
ing to make healthy development. Mr.. an
Mrs. May listen fondly to the high encomiun
| her teachers bestow upon their daughter
scholarship she is already in some advaI
ced studies and the prospect is that when 81
reaches her teens there will be little left fl
/, her to acquire in the ordinary routine.
J, addition to her school duties, she has also Il
attention of the several masters in the v
rious accomplishments of the day.
0 She has passed through one very seve
illness, her physician vertured to say, ca
b se1 by too close confinement, and ment
e application, unsuited TO her years, but h
parents thought be was entirely mistake
It Very thin and pale was she when aga
she took her place in school,, and Mr.. al
k Mrs. May were fearful it might be too so
for her to resume her studies but teach
t plead that it would be a great disadyanta
: for her to get behind her classes, and E
IS did not like that idea herself.
Fond of her studies she certainly is a
/ no less desirous to excel, and earn the W
II done Of parents and teachers: yet she
q often very weary at night poring over
books for the next days recitation. Pa
N and mamma comfort and stimulate her W
the assurance, that if she continues to p
is gress as she has done, her education will
n completed very early, and then she will h'
le plenty Of leisure and recreation.
l Does the pale face and slight frame ne
or last shadow over the hearts Of these
rents. and whisper to them of blighted ho
lg and early decay? THETA
d, The man who brought down the hou
o. has gone back after the cellar.