Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-06-26
PLYMOUTH IND. JUNE 26, 1856. -.

I,
derstood my feelings. Heaven bless her,
wherever she may be! She was lame
girl, little younger than myself, with a
f pale, sweet face, and a gentle, plying
voice. She came hastily toward me, laid
her small hand on my arm, and looking in
; to my face, with one of her SOULFUL glances
, she said timid.y, Pardon me, but you
seem to be a stranger here; are you going
to attend the school?' / could have fall
en- down and worshipped her for the first
kind words which had greeted my ear
since my arrival in Landsdowne She bade
me follow her to the dressing room, and
there she took off my bonnet and shawl,
!, and conducted me to the hall, where she
showed me a seat where / could sit until
Professor Montcalm should arrive and as
} sign me one.
There sat in trembling suspense, wait
) ing for the grea. bell to sound the signal of
commencement. 1t rang out, at last, loud
of the young ladies for their seats, then a
stiffness, broken only by an occasional
whisper, and then steps in the wide passage
announced the coming of the Principal.
, did not raise my head to look at him, even
when heard his deep sweet voice calling
| each young lady to come up separately, that
he might register her name, and purposed
course of studies.
} One by one, they went to him. l alone
: could not gather courage to look at him.
How could | rise and walk across that long
hall alone, mark 70. all those curious
gazers? There was silence during which
felt the eyes of all upon me. The tears
started to my eyes, l could not restrain
t them, and in shame and agony l dropped
! my head upon the arm of the settee.
5 There was sound of confused buz-
zing in the room, but over all, rose
that hrm, stately tread which approached
me. 1t paused at my side. With sud
5 den impulse, raised my head, and looked
I at the face of him beside me. 1t was Prof
4 Montcalm | knew it by his regal form, hi:
high serene bros, and his unconscious dig
t nifty Of manner.
lie bent his calm dark eyes upon my dis
torted face for moment, and then stepping
? so that his form concealed me from the list
G ening pupils, he said. in his low winning
c voice
e is it your intention to become a membel
e Of my shool, young stranger?'
G Yes | faltered out between my stihe(
r sobs.
Your name, if you please said the same
: musical voice;
e 'Genevieve Fairfield returned.
He wrote the name. What studies, Mis-
: fairfeld?'
| replied, by handing him the lette
/ which my aunt had written concerning m,
If projected course, and with newly inspir
: ed confidence, | watched him while he rea,
o it.
l. Eve-y feature of his face is before M
n now, l can see the forehead where majesl
S benignity rcigncd peacefully with powerful
Il intelect-the wild, rich hair, thrown care
t. lessly over the classic head, the calm, dee
l. eyes, the straight Grecian nose-lhe mout
i half stern, half tender. Yes, | can Sc
a Howard Moptcalm as he stood before me
d years and years ago.
. He gave me a written programme of m
studies, the hours Of recitation all correct
d, and then with a smile which lighted up hi
>, face like the sunshine of heaven, he turn
l. ed away as he said, You must try and b
=, contented with us, Miss Fairfield; home
:, sickness will l am afraid, interfere wit
ar your progress and make you unhappy
, Mr.. Monlcalm sat down on the raise
;, platform, and then in regular rotation tn
different classes wero called. went wit
Il fear and trembling. 1 had never been &
school before in my life, and we'll kne,
,s my deficiency. Very kindly he queslione
=. me, but of course, could answer nothing
! He dismissed the class and called me to hi
70 desk. He enquired into the system of m
- education, and | frankly told him my littl
nj history, how that | had lived all my life i
d an isolated spot, and that my aunt had bee
my only tator.
,e Prof. NJ ontcalm considered for a momef
II and then told me that | might study an
ii recitc separately from the others, after tn
il school had closed at night. And more, h
a said that if was, as he feared, little ser
Id sitive, might study out of school if chosc
Oh how my heart blessed him for his kin
4 words.
is took the books which he selected fc
tn me, and going to my boarding place, wcr
:, nm ;,,o nv l;ft1a chamhar ond ha,t ,o