The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-02-11
ASHLAND, ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO, WEDNESDAY NORM

? One by one they went to him. alor
Of remained. I could not gather courae
le to look at him. How could I RI.
and walk across that long hall alop'
Ie mark for all those curious gazers
: There was silence, during which I ;e
b the eyes of all upon me. The tears st,l
d ted to my eyes, could not restrai
e them, and in shame and agony I DROP
W ped my hand upon the arm of the set
: tee.
( There was sound of confused buz
f zing in the room, but over all rose tha
j firm stately tread which approachedme
D 1t paused at my side. With sudde
, impulse, I raised my head, and looke'
3 at the face of him. beside me. 1t wa
Professor Montcalm. ! knew it by hi
regal form, his high serene brow, ant
his unconscious dignity of manner
i, He bent his calm dark eyes upon my
, distorted face for a moment, aud ther
stopped SO that his form cocealed me
from the listening pupils, he said, in his
low winning voice
is it your Intention to become men,
Der of my school, young stranger p
Yes I faltered out between my sti-
fled lips.
Your name, if you please, said the
same musical voice. G
'Genevieve Fairfield returned.
He wrote the name. What studies,
Miss Fairfeld?'
I replied by handing him the letter
which my aunt had written concerning
my projected course and with newly in-
spired confidence, I watched him while
he read it.
Every feature of his face is before me
now, can see the forehead where ma
jestic beniguity reigned peacefully with
powerful intellect-the wild, rich hair
thrown carelessly over the classic head
the calm, deep eyes, the straight Gre
clan nose-the mouth half stern half
tender. Yes, I can SEQ Howard Mont
calm as he stood before me, years and
years ago.
He gave me written programme of
my studies, the hours of recitation all
correct, and then with smile which
lighted up his face like the sunshine of
Heaven, he turned away as he said,
You must try and be contented with us,
Miss Fairfield; homesickness will, / am
afraid, interfere with your progress, and
make you unhappy
Mr.. Montcalm sat down on the rails
ed platform and then in regular rotation
the different classes were called.
went with fear and trembling had
never been at school before in my life,
and we'll knew my deficiency. Very
kindly he questioned me. but of course,
l could answer nothing. He dismissed
the class and called me to his desk. He
enquired into the system of my educa-
tion, and frankly told him my little
history, how that had lived all my life
in an isolated spot, and that my aunt,
had been my only tutor.
Professor Montcalm considered for a
moment, and then told me that might
study and recite separately from the
others, after the school had closed at
night. And more, he said that if I
was, as he feared, little sensitive, I
might study out of school if I chose
Oh, how my heart blessed him for his
kind words.
I took the books which he selected
for me, and going to my boarding place,
I went up into my little chamber, and
bent my whole soul upon the task of
learning the lesson which he had mark
ed.
It was SO hard, oh, so hard to keep
from finging down the book, and run
ming into the wild, dark woods, behind
the cemetery; but 1 thought of those
serious eyes which I knew would wear
a grieved expression, if in my lesson l
should be deficient, and resolutely 1
toiled on.
The dinner bell sounded, and as mere
form, to avoid being questioned, I fore
ed myself to eat AS soon as had fin
ished I returned to my studies. I read
and pondered. At last 1 gave glad |
shoutl 1 could recite every word cor
rectly.
Again and again did I repeat the
phrazes, and when the bell
rung for the close of study hours, tied
On my despised bonnet and set off for
the Academy. School was out, but
Professor Montcalm was waiting for
me.
1 gave him the book. it was Andrews
Latin Grammar. He asked the ques-
lions, answered all correctly.
A surprised, pleased expression, pass
ID over Montcalm's fine face.
You have done well, Miss Fairfield
le said, in decisive tone, as he return
ID me the book with the next lesson
marked. Perseverance and applica-
ion, my young friend, will place you in
he highest ranks of literature He
ook up his hat and went out.
Oh [! how priced that commendation
omino from his lins T need not tell