The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-09-18
For the Standard
THE MECHANICS DAUGHTER,
SCHOOL GIRL RECOLLECTIONS.
by MARY TURNER BEERS.

SCHOOL GIRL RECOLLECTIONS.
by MARY TURNER BEERS.
How indelbly are the scenes of childhood
stamped upon the human mind Gay fancy
throws around us her soft spell of enchantment,
and the glowing pas, is full before us. The
dear old associations connected with childhoods
happy homo; the frequentcd path meath the
overhaneing shade; tho brook bordering eoso
by the wildwood, and all the familiar haunts
are attractively spread before our mental vision.
The Temple of Learning is wildly seen
where oft "Mss A +" or "Miss b. met our in
nocent wanderings with childish punishments
which were second TO none in after life so in
tense was our suffering, 30 great our fear
Well do remember Milford Seminary, tho
largo white building with it's green shutters,
the beautiful garden with its rustic arbors, its
climbing plants and bushy evcrgroons; the
closely shavcn lawn, which was used for aplay
ground by the merry juveniles; the curious old
pictures which adorned tho walls of the study
room; and the nicely vanished desks which
were arranged in parallel form on either
side Of tho apartment. The thoughtful brow and
speaking eyes of Mrs G. the ady Preceptress;
the jo,iy ringlets, and sharp features Of Miss
Danvlle her assistant; and tho cheerful happy
countcnanccs of my fellow wpupils, are at this
moment full before mo. There eat Mary d. (,
and by her side Emma r. both daughters Of
wealthy Merchants residing in NJ. In the
corner sal Emily pao delicate creature only
child Of Esq W., at her right sat Lucy p, a
kind lovely girl who was every boly IS friend
and whom every body loved. She was fine
Scholar, and ready assistant to those less ad-
vanced, who sometimes bocams wearied during
their tosome march up tho hill of Science -
She was third daughter of Judge Pierson a
prominent politician of Milford. The School
was mostly composed oftho wealthy aris!ocrat
&c, with onor two exceptions. 1t is ono of
these that would speak. Never was there a
loylier morning than that in which Sarah Ar
lngton and Anna Truman entered our School
room as pupils; and norer was there more
striking contrast than in tho relative position
of these two girls. Sarah being the only
daughter of wealthy Lawyer, had nsver
known wish ungratfed; brcd in the lap Of
ease and luxury, surrounded by splendor, and
with every advantage for instruction from in
fancy, in point Of Scholarship she was far in
ferior to Anna the daughter of a poor but in.
teligent Mechanic, who could only by tho
closest economy, give her an opportunity Of
Tprofting by Mrs C.s cxcelon, instructions du
ring fow months of the year. Sarah was
idle, naughty, imperIous and unattractabe
Anna was quick, attentive, sensitive gentle ant
affectionate. Sarah, was fashionable Miss o
fifteen Anna was one year younger and hat
never mingled in tho Society of "upper ten
DOM nor had she been taught then simporing
affected airs; yot notwithstanding this disparit,
in their social condition, Mrs c., gave then
soats in close proximity. This was source
of mutual benefit, for while Anna enjoyed al
) occasional peep into her cishbors dosk, wher
wero displayed in glorious profession so man.
tempting things, Of whose cxistance she haC
never dreamed; and while sho partook of tn
t swoetmeats, and the perfumery which compile
, tely enveloped tho person other friend, Ssral
t in turn had the benefit Of sundry mathemat
cal solutions, French Transitions, and entir
compositions which reflected much credit upol
the youthful but ambitions plagarist. How
ever this state of affairs was not suffered
= continue long,-the social elements of Sarah
u nature met severe shock for she soon learno
the astonishing fact that Anna was the daugh
ter of a mechanic; and as a matter Of cours
saw the necessity Of pursusing differer
course of conduct towards Der. She immcd
ately applied for seat in distant cornc
= of the room--this Mrs. c., refused until ST.
represented to her that Anna had a cutancor
|, disease which she was fearful of contracting
, This was an unanswcrable argument;-th
withheld consent was obtained, and soon
was whispered around and many were u
curious eyes bent upon tho digitals of po'
r. Anna.
in At length the naughty yoong Miss insult'
her publicly, accused her of being "ie'o al
"a ruigdr, the daughter Of idboring man" a.
Anns's quick sensitive nature could not tam
ly brock this insult. Overwhelmed with gr
% and shame, she sought solitude aud abandon
lc herself to despair. What to her we're youI
'is ful dreams Of future greatness, whom the pr'
ms ent was so dark aud choerless? What sig
fed oil her high hopes, and lofty aspiration
= She was nothing but poor Mechanics daat
Ter, subject to the jcsrs and taunts Of tho