True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-11
WHILE rs POWER.

pressed as to the possibility OF acquiring
knowledge without assistancei
One morning in the year lS49, young
peasant girl obtained an interview with
the great wicaire of the cathedral of one
of the western cities of France. In
manner that was at once modest and
firm, she told him that having heard of
his kindness in producing situations for
governesses, she had come TO him in
the hope Of obtaining some employ
ment.
"Bu, my child" replied the venera.
ble Able, "you cannot teach without
diploma, and in order 10 obtain diplo.
ma, you must go through an examina-
,ion. What instruction have you receiv-
ed!"
"In my childhood, Monsieur rAbbe,
learned to read and write, and then |
served nv apprenticeship to a manlua
maker. am now constantly employed
in working with my needle. and earn
about three pence a day but this does
not do, and SO wish to become a gov.
erness.
"My poor child, TO read and write is
something. it is true hut it is not enough.
You must know how to spell; and you
must know grammar, and something
more than the first four rules of arithme-
tic, all thoroughly; and you must also
have some idea OF composition"
81 think, Monsieur l'Abbe, that l
could pass an examination in these things
tolerably well /; for when my days work
was over, have always devoted part OF
the night 10 studying the books which |
contrived to buy out of my savings. On
Sundays, too, could read. | have come
on purpose to beg that you will be so
COOL as to examine me, and tell me wheth.
er | may hope to obtain the diploma oi
the first degree" '
The first degree but you do moi
know what it is, my poor child it would
be impossible. The examination is very
difficult; you must know arithmetic per-
fectly, also something of geometry and
cosmography; you must understand music
both singing and playing on an instru
ment. i, is not likely you have learned
the piano or the harp"
/" have not but, Monsieur l'Abbe
does the law say positively the piano OIL
the harp :"
"No the laws says simply that IL i,
necessary to know enough of music tC
be able to play on an instrument. Those
l mentioned are most usually learned a
schools, that is the reason / named them
but think that perhaps they might b.
satisfied with the guitar"
Well, Monsieur, as the law does no
name any particular instrument. | an
satisfied. for | have taught myself to play
on one instrument"
And what is that?'
Here itis,' and the girl took from heI
pocketa-Aageolet.
At this sight the Able burst into
peal of laughter. She colored deeply
but imagining, no doubt, that he did no
believe in her musical powers, she raise
the instrument to her lips and the Abb
stood amazed.
The excellent priest, who had himse el
been one of the people, judged right
that peasant, who lad taught hersel
not only to play, but TO play SO well
could not be all ordinary person. H
asked her age. She was twenty five.
II will examine you now," said he
The replies Of the young peasant wer
astonishing and he wondered, but i
silence, at the knowledge which this poe
country dressmaker had obtained by he
own unaided efforts.
"You may" he said, " with perfet
confidence present yourself before tn
commission ofexaminers = will arrang
that you shall not be required 10 pla,
This Aageolet on which you will perforl
so well, would excite laughter and wit
cism. which must be avoided" )" III
young peasant went before the commi
sioners, and allwere amazed at the va
iety of real and profound knoweds
which she had acquired in her evening
and pondered on during her long da
oftoil. Received by acclamations, 81
now December ls5O0is at the head
an establishment.
We have heard This story related bo
by the grand vicaire. and by lady, Il
intimate friend Of our heroine, who b
often heard her say to her puplls-"WIl
Is Power" Bickersteths Tsitor
nr. Kana'a Remains.