True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-06-17
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, JUNE II, 1857,

an old sign declares one to experience,
when people are saying good things about
them; but we never ascertained the truth
of the matter in regard to Mr.. Gray.
From some inexplicable cause, we new.
er could get Agnes Foster 10 say one
word in praise or blame of Mr. Gray
She listened with smile to our talk, but
in vain we tried 10 extract any sort of an
opinion of him from her. One day Car.
rie Mansfield, fairly out Of patience, broke
forth : "Why, Agnes Foster, l do think
you are the strangest girl | ever saw in
my life. I've been trying here now for
half an hour TO get you to talk about Mr..
Gray, and you won't even acknowledge
that he's handsome. You think him a
fright, suppose. Pray tell me if you
consider him at all to be compared in
beauty to Daddy Dckman, who carries
the mail, and who wears wig, and smells
of whiskey :"
The tears came into Agnes's eyes. -
Carrie was melted in an instant, and beg
ged pardon for her sneering tone.
"lndeed." said Aggie, "you do me
injustice those that say The least some-
times think the most. Because | do not
lavish praises on Mr.. Gray so enthusias.
lically as you do, or talk myself breathless
in admiration of his talents or his fine
face, do you think | dislike him, or dc
not appreciate him! You are famously
mistaken. He has not a warmer friend
in school than myself, and do not con
slider it necessary TO say more. There
he comes now.
We were in our seats studying our les
sons as demurely as possible-with
most unconscious air--when he entered
the room.
December, January and February fec
by, and it was the first of March just
week before the close of school. Hoy
we dreaded to give up Mr., Gray. Schoo
had been delightful place, and the win
ter had seemed so short. Where had th'
days and weeks gone .E a
One morning, two or three days before
examination, Agnes Foster came to schoo
with very sad expression on her beau
liful face, and her eyes looked as if sh'
had been weeping. With eager question
ings we gathered around our favorite
and in faltering voice she told us tha
her mother had the evening before re
ceived news that the bank in which he
little all was invested had failed, and sh
had lost every farthing she possessed, AM
they had not money enough left to evel
pay their house rent. They must leav
Mlllwood and 60 To the Tar west, wher
they had relatives in moderate circum
stances, who would lend them money 70
travelling expenses. What they were tt
do there she knew not. Poor Agnes, ou
hearts bled for her. Generous Cora Lin
cried 20, if l only had money of m.
own. would make up all you have lost
In the midst of the sorrowlul scene Mr.
Gray came in: Agnes flew to her seat
and bent her head over her book, to hid
her tears from him we all rem aine'
standing by the desk, undecided what t
do. The master looked inqulringly fror
one to another, What's the matter,
he said at length "and why do | Sc
such sad faces !? what has happened ?"
Carrie Mansfield, without seeing Ag
, ness agonised telegraphings to her t
, stop, told Mr.. Gray the story in a lo'
tone. He changed COLOR and locke
more agitated than had ever seen him
r He went and sat down by her side ;
r once. r..l .. ..
, dear Agnes" said he, possessin
, himself of her hand, spite of he
t gentle resistance, what is this that Ca
. rie has been telling me! Is it indee
} true !? .. .
Agnes Bowed tearfully.
! "I feel for you deeply" said he, "te
' your mother 1 will call on her this eve
:. ming. perhaps I can be of service to yo
e in your distress"
Q Agnes gave him one grateful, adm
' ring look, and took refuge in her ope
9 geometry. laying upon her desk, to hit
: her bushes and tears. Mr.. Gray said n
s more. We fancied lie looked unusuall
9 happy all that day but never did he see
/. so absent. minded. We did not kno
{ what had possessed the man. He SCI
$ out little Sammy Jones after an armful
J. wood, and when he appeared with it to
n him 10 brin g i, 10 the desk and he wou
show him how to spell it. In our hist
), ry class. he said very we'll when stup
Sarah Wright, put the Norman conque
in Queen Anne's reign, and smiled
;. Mary Jones when she told him that WI
! Carlton was the author Of the GunpoV
r. der Plot. " n
+. Mr.. Crays eyes looked at Agnes, VIII
:. she passed out of the school room, th
d afternoon to go home, with an intense e
,e preston that brought the crimson blu
}. to her forehead. You may imagine '
IS felt interested in Mr.. Gray's movemer
is that evening. Carrie Mansfield, at who
70 house he was boarding for a day or tw
e promised to watch his Operations a
report to the cabinet next day. uia z
lie Joseph Gray came home TO squire !
TO lis's from school, and went sEaitio
m room, staying there till tea-time. Car
IL told us his behavior at table was as m.