Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-10-28
.BEAuTIFUL STORY.

a BEAUTIFUL l. STORY.
ssYou were not here yesterday" said the
gentle teacher Of the village school, as she
laid her hand kindly on the curly head of one
of her pupils. Tt was recess time, but the lit
tie girl had not gone to frolic away the ten
minutes, not even left her seat, but sat absorb
ed in w, seemed fruitless attempt to make
herself mistress of sum in long division.
Her face and neck crimsoned at the remark
of her teacher, but locking up, she seemed
somewhat re-assurcd by the kind glance that
met her, and answered, s'No mann, was not,
but my sister Nell was"
81 remember there was little girl, who cal
led herself Nelly Gray, came in yesterday,
but did not know she was your sister But
why did you not come! You seem to love
study very much.''
ssIt was not because did not want to come, :"
was the earnest answer, and then she paused,
and the deep flush again tinged that fair brow
--ebut,'' she continued, after a moment of
painful embarrassment, s'mother cannot spare
both of " conveniently, and so VIC are going
to take turns I'm going to school one day,
and sister next; and 10 night I'm to teach Mel
IL all have learned to-day, and tomorrow
night she will teaciI me all she learns while
here. Its the only way we can think of get
ting along. and we want to study very much,
SO as to sometime keep school ourselves and
take care Of mother, because she has to work
very hard to take care of u.s."
With genuine delicacy, Miss NJ. forbore to
question the child further, but sat down beside
her. and in q moment explained the rule over
which she was puzzling her young brain, so
tha, the difficult sum was easily finished.
..You had better go ont and take the air a
moment: vou have studied very hard 10 day
said the teacher, as the little girl put up her
slate.
ssI had rather not; might tear my dress;
will stand By the window and watch the rest
There was such peculiar tone in the voice
of her pupil as she said II might tear my dress,
that Miss VI. was led instinctively to notice it.
It was nothing but ninepenny print of deep
blue, but it was neatly made, and had never
vet been washed. And while looking at it she
remembered that, during the whole previous
fortnight Mary Gray had attended school reg
ulary, that she had never seen her wear but
rliGt one dress.
..She is a thoughtful little girl" said she tc
herself esand does not want to make her mother
any trouble 1 wish had more such schol
ars.''
The next morning Mary absent, but hel
sister occupied her seat. There was some
thing so interesting in the two little sisters
the one ! years old and the other Is months
Younger, agreeing to attend school by turns
that Miss NJ. could not forbear observing then
very closely. They were pretty faced child
rem. of delicate forms and fairy like hands anc
feet; the elder with dark, lustrous eyes, anC
the VlIur.e with orbs like the June sky, he
white neck yeiled by wreath of golden ring
LET'S She observed in both the same close at
tion TO their studies, and as Mary had tarrie'
daring LAY time, SO did Nelly land upon speak
irg to her As she had to her sister, she receiye'
the same answer, 81 might tear my dress
Again the reply caused Miss NJ. to motto
tie garb OF the sister. She saw at once
Svas the same piece as Mary's, and upon scru
tin;zina it closely, she became certain that
was the same dress. 1t did not fit so close
on Nelly, it was too long for her, and she wa
Evidently not at case when she noticed lie
teacher looking at tue bright fiowers that wer
so thickly set on the dark groisid-
Tn. discovery was one that could not bu
interes. heart so truly benevolent as tina
when puisatcd in the bosom OF that vliiag
teacher. She ascertained the residence
thei- mother, and though soreiy straightene
herself by rarrow purse, that same nigh
having found at the only store in the place
few yards of the same material, purchased
dress for little Nelly, and sent 1t to her
such a way that the donor could not be detec
ed.
Very bright and happy looked Marry Ora
on Friday morning, she entered the scho
at an early hour. She waited only TO plac
her book neatiy in her desk, ere she approach
ed Miss II. and whispering in voice tn
laughed in snite Of her efforts to make it 10
and deferer.iai-sAfter this week, Nelly
coming 10 school every day and oh, am