True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-10-22
Z,RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor


zing inc. -'' ..7'|'' ''1'' ~, .'"
| bore this as long us I could. and then
from the depths Of my fierce, wild heart
there welled up a few bitter, writhing
words, and spoke them. The surpris :,
ed company were silenced, but occasion
ally they cast looks Of covert scorn toward
me. After breakfast they spoke no en-.
couraging friendly word 10 me, but cor
versed apart, in groups and ! knew that
Twas their subject, by the glances which
they bestowed upon my shrinking, sensi-
tive form. rs h'F"' 72 .'.. 0''. 1855 '''
ud 10 one Of my nature. this treatment
was CALLING in the extreme, and | made
up my mind to hate them all. Even the
little girl, the daughter of the people who
kept The boarding house, seemed 10 take
exquisite delight III tUrturing me, asking
me spiteful question about my dress, con-
templa,ed studies, etc. 'lg, .c,staL
Alone, went to the academy. No
one offered 10 60 with me, no one told me
which way to go, they only set up a de.
risive laugh as Iput on the green silk bon
net, which it had cost my aunt and the
village milliner a weeks work 10 remodel
from aunt's old calash. %a a-."'a
Iknew where the cademy was situa-
ted. | had psSsed it on my way the pre-
vious day. 1t was large white building
with carved columnsand shadyporticoes,
in the middle Of green lawn, gemmed
here and there with a tuft of The purple
frost flower. The green in front Of the
edifce was thronged with young gentle
men and ladies, gay and laughing. Was
it any wonder that a wild, forest bred
girl like me, who had scarcely seen do
zen faces out of her own family circle,
should shrink from the curious stare which
on every side assailed her ? Sick at heart,
| leaned against a shade tree for support.
Only one in all that merry company
understood my feelings Heaven bless
her, wherever she may be !! She was a
lame girl, little younger than myself,
with rale, sweet face, and gentle, pity.
ing voice. She came hastily toward me,
laid her small hand on my arm, and look
ing into my face, with one of lter soul
full glanccs, she said timidly, Pardon
me, but you seem to be stranger here ;
are you going 10 attend the school" !
could hav We fallen down and worshipped
her for the first kind words which had
greeted my ear since my arrival in Lands
downe. She babe NE follow her to the
dressing room, and there she took off my
bonnet and shawl, aud conducted me lC
the hall, where she showed me sea
where i could sit until Prof. Montcalu
should arrive and assign me one. .a,s.ah
There | sat in trembling suspense
waiting for the great bell to sound lh'
signal OF colAmeucement! rang out, a
least, loud and clear. The ese was hur
ried rushing Of The young ladies for seats
, then a stiffness, broken only by an occa
sional, whisper, and then steps:in the Wild
passage announced the coming Of a Prin
cipal. did not raise my head 10 loOl
l a, him, even when heard his deep swee
; voice calling each young lady to come VI
separately, thai he might register he
name, and purposed course Of studies.
One by one, they went TO him
: alone remained. ! could not gath e
: courage to look athin. How could
5 rise and walk across that long hall alone
a a mark for all, those curious gazers
f There was a silence during which ! fel
e the eyes OF all upon me. The tears star
ted 10 my eyes, ! could not restrain ther
e and in shame and agony dropped m!
;. head upon the arm of the settee. .fs
/ There was a sound of confused .bu2
a zing in the room, but over all, rose tha
+. firm, stately tread which approached me
). 1t paused at my side. With suden, in
: pulse, | raised my head, and looked 9
e the face of him beside me. |! was Pro-
:. Montcalm. ! knew it by bis regal form
e his high serene brow, and his unconsciou
II dignity Of manner. l'rs ,a.s aoop .i.
i He bent bis calm dark eyes upon m
i distorted face for moment, and the
l stepping, so that his form concealed M
! from the listening pupils, he said, in hi
if low, winning voice stgli mia saef
n sis ityour intention 70 become o men
y Der, of my school, young stranger 7, ",ma.
p eyes" lallered out between ny st
n lied sobS.g .oSrJ 1R sp;H1efo iYgH. aij
Q wy Your name, il you please" said tlh u
" same musical v0lcer--, gsmsisH .e,nr
y !" Genevieve Fairfeld,".I, returned,
~, He wrote the name, What studies
y Miss Fairield?"'i mad had ssa't4 hoel
9 l., Ireplied, by handing him the letle
? which my aunt had written concemin
I jay projected course, and with newly, ir
!, spigedI fdence, | watched hdd bin him Will
e be. .resdh 3,dI mn! so, Aii .sgaiiot
e n Every feature Of his face is before n
i now. Icanl see the forehead where bf
g .nignity resigned peacefully with powerfl
! intelecI-lhe wild, rich hair thrown care
] lessly over the classic, dhead,, the. cain
Q deep eyes, the straight iGreciaa ,noser-th
n nonth. bali stern. half lender, Yes, (
Q can.see Howard Montcalm AS he, ys,oo
/. befGeme, years and years ago. d o. ssi
i. Ise He gave me a written programme !,
i my, studies, the hours Of rrrilation lall co
o rect, and then with a smile which ilighte
d I'D his face like the sunshine of hcayel