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

only broken by Caroline's almost inaudible
sobs. AS he glanced over his class, he thought
Louise's face wore look of disappointment
School was dismissed, but those sunshiny curls
were still flung over the desk, while the weep
ing girl hid her face in her arms.
Walter pitied her, and thinking it would be
better now, when her feelings were at last
touched and softened, to give her some friend
ly counsel, he approached and said in low
voice,
Miss Caroline, will you permit me to say
few words to you 7" She lifted her head as
if to listen, but her face was still buried in her
handkerchief Walters advice, ssi;ssooa. s;sooa Nssg
kindly and gently, procured for him an appol-
ogy for misconduct, sobbed out from the very
bottom of her heart, and when he said
Now do not distress yourself farther, Miss
Caroline, or | shall think myself cruel tyrant
for having so used my power to wound YOU
Dry your tears, and smile again for my COM
fort" She turned away, sobbing afresh, muir
muring, but | deserved it all !"
After she had gone, Walter spent his noon
hours in self-reproach, and regret. But it was
in vain to wish now, that he had had more pa
tence that he had Disseminated better, be-
tween good natured frolic, and smooth good
ness, assumed to curry favor. Yet when Lou
ise again stood before him that afternoon, lis
tening with earnest attention to his explanation
of the lesson when her color stole up as he
spoke to her, he believed he had only ascribed
ilLfeelings where it had no place
Before the schoolhouse was mill-pond, fro
zen over, so as to make excellent sliding or
skating. Between morning and afternoon ses-
sions the girls enjoyed the opportunity for the
e., 70 of+o
the window upon the gay, fitting forms, laugh
ing and screaming with glee, and longed to be
where his dignity forbade him to 60 He was
boy enough yet to have his heart bound at the
sight of the sport, and also to feel disappoint-
ed at being merely spectator. If very
merry laugh reached him, he could not help
joining in it, and he held his breath while the
girls skinned in succession down the long slide.
If he only had skates and liberty !
With a sigh he left the window one day, and
went down to his dinner, in a wing of the build
ing. lie was about to return to the school
room, when he was met by crowd of scholars
who began to speak all at once, in great ex-
element He could only make out
Carrie -fainted-slipped on the ice !" and
several of her companions entered, bearing in
her slight form. She was not insensible, but
mutely enduring the severest pain which took
from her all power of movement. As she was
brought to Walter. she gazed imploringly at
him, and her pale lips moved to say, "my
arm"
1t was cold down stairs, and as the place
was only used as lecture room, there was
nothing in it but piled up benches. She must
go up stairs therefore, where there was sofa,
and fire, in the dressing-room.
Taking her gently in his arms from her trem-
bling companions, Walter carried her up, her
fair head lying on his shoulder, in total uncon-
sciousness of every thing but intense pain
He sent instantly for her parents, and a ply
scian, but meanwhile she opened her eyes, and
said,
"My arm is broken, sir Can you straight
en- it ?'
Walter dared only give relief by cutting
open the tight, blue, merino sleeve of her dress,
and gently bathing the swelling arm in cold
water Every touch hurt her severely, but
when he expressed his regret, she smiled sweet
ly and reassured him.
Little heroine !" he said, admiringly, and
he was aware that one among the numerous
scholars who had been standing around moved
away and went to the school room. Soon he
heard the girls whispering among themselves.
Louise crying What for !"
because Carrie is suffering, suppose"
a didn't know she cared so much for her"
Walter felt the words echo in his own heart,
with the word in the place of she.
al will go and comfort her" said the first
speaker.
"Is it Louise who cares so much for me p
asked Caroline, family.
eve all do" said one of the girls.
"But is Louise crying for me Do tell her
| am better, that Mr.. Benson has made me
much more comfortable. Don't let her cry y
and tears began to flow from her own eyes.
Her companion who went with her message,
returned, and a still low whispering began
Caroline was again suffering acutely from the
awakened feeling caused by her tears and she
did not hear it, but Walter caught the words
She says she's artful and did it on purpose
to make Mr.. Benson pity her."
Ridiculous l always thought that Louise
a mean thing" was the reply
"Yes, she's Jealous That's what she's cry
ing for l declare can hardly help telling
Mr.. Benson. There he is, thinking her the
pink of perfection.
The doctor arrived, and the arm was set
without forcing cry from the patient girl
Her parents had also come in a carriage to
take her home. Her father approached to lift
her, but she whispered that she wished to
thank Mr. Benson Walter bent over her,
and through her tears she sobbed, Il am so
sorry that cannot come to school again be-
fore you leave. wanted 80 much to make
you think better of me. / acas the most un-
worthy, but if l could only let you see what /
can be p She broke into asmile, and Walter,
to whom her tears had been almost irresistibly
infectious, found her smile entirely So AS she
looked into his beaming face, she for the first
time seemed to see that her teacher was almost
as young as herself
g Goodbye Mr.. Benson Thank you for
your kindness to my poor arm," she said hold
ing out her hand frankly. ae