Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-27

asked
MAY do justice to myself by good reci-
tation after school 2"
"If you wish it," he replied much pleased.
"Thank you sir" she said and retired.
After the other scholars had gone, Caroline,
who had recovered her spirits, and Louise, were
summoned to the desk. Louise stood first
With clear low voice she began the lesson
and recited perfectly.
"I commend Miss Louise's perseverance,"
her teacher said, with smile and bow. If she
will only have little more confidence in her.
self she will do excellently."
As she stood blushng with delight before
him, Walter could not help feeling the strange
ness of his new position. He, who had lately
! been an equal of just such girls, chattering
and flirting with them, to meet now that rever
ent glance thankful for his praise
He dismissed Louise, and turned his admir-
ing gaze from her to calm it into sufficient
coldness before he should let it rest upon Car
oline.
When he did look at her, he saw her slen-
der form trembling, but look of mischief in
her face that said size was not going to be
good, and ''do excellently."
begin, Miss Caroline" he said, relentless
ly.
She looked up archly, and said, al don't
know it bit better than did in the morn
ing"
Have you studied it ?"
"No sir"
"Why not ~ No answer He felt that she
was Drawing him, and said coldly, "I am
ashamed for you, Miss Caroline. You may
GO"
His tone was so reprehensive, yet so gentle
manly, that she was subdued.
"Do you mean to my desk, to learn it ?"
she asked, hoping she had chance to redeem
herself
"No. / mean you may 60 home. 1 never
try to help those who will not help themselves.
/ do not wish my time trespassed upon longer"
Proud and angry, she was gone in moment.
From that day she was refractory. To be
sure she never failed in her lessons-she would
not again trespass upon his Gown time" But
in thousand ways she annoyed him, by incit-
ing to disobedience, by loud whispering, by
answers so contrived as to raise laugh with
out giving him occasion to reprove them.
Meanwhile Louise stole gently into his good
will. She was so confding, SO abashed in the
classes SO fond of staying after school to prove
to him that she did know her lessons. The
girls generally called upon each other for as
sistance in doing difficult sums-she brought
them directly to him. and by her strict atten-
ton gratfed him. 1t was a refreshment to
teach her.
There was inscribed upon one corner of the
blackboard the words, 1.-The most worthy"
and upon the other /" The most unworthy .
Under the first of these name was placed
every Monday morning, before school COM
menced, showing who had been most commend
able during the past week. 1t remained till
the next Monday, and was seen by all visitors.
No name was ever put under the other words
unless there had been some great delinquency.
The first glance of the scholars as they enter
ed on Monday morning was to see who bore
off the highest honor
Walter, in his extreme annoyance at Car
oline's conduct, and in his desire to make some
impression on her thoughtless nature, formed a
plan which he thought would answer. Ac-
cordingly, when on Monday morning, he threw
omen the schoolroom door to admit the pupils,
he watched its effect.
1t should have been said before, that even
among the scholars Caroline lost favor. In
girls school there is always one exalted above
the rest, a unanimously elected queen, whom
all others delight to honor, and Louise, now
stepped into this place whence Caroline had
been deposed Louise, and admiration of the
new teacher, succeeded Caroline, rebellion and
merry mischief This change was very mark
ed, and Louise felt her ascendancy with pride
and exultation. She became scornful in her
treatment of one whom formerly she dared
not even try to rival, while Caroline, though
greved to lose her hitherto unconsciously en-
joyed popularity, seemed glad Louise had come
to be appreciated She looked upon her with
envy but with admiration.
As Walter watched, he saw Caroline whis-
per joyously to Louise, "Oh, Louise, there you
are up for most worthy. Amt you glad Z"
and her own face shone genuine pleasure.
Louise blushed with delight, but when her
glance fell upon the opposite name, that blush
only deepened, while look of triumph stole
into her face.
"See see," she said, maliciously touching
Caroline's arm, and pointing out to her, her
name in the long unoccupied place, under the
words, "most unworthy" Caroline saw, and
a look of deepest wounded feelings overwhelm-
ed her JOYOUS countenance She cast re-
| proachfill glance at Walter and left the room.
He bit his lip. Disappointed in Louise,
and regret at the severity of his punishment
of what was only youthful frolic and love of
mischief, made him very much disconnected
| with himself He waited anxiously for Car
oline's return, and at last sent one of the
young ladies for her, who returned saying she
had gone home He was afraid he should
not see her again.
He had an absent air all day, and when
Louise softly applied for some help in her sums,
almost scornfully referred her to Sarah Brown.
1t gave him great satisfaction to see Car
oline enter the room next morning. She left
on his desk an excuse from her father, for her
yesterdays absence, resumed her seat, and
readily applied herself to her studies.
| When school was about being dismissed,
Walter arose and said, "Young ladies. this