St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-07-05

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in their amuscments, and, dcvOtin
; all her energies TO study, she had ri:
en- to the very front rank'of scholar
ship in the school. This prc-cmincnc
she did not value, though she love-
study for its own sake, and wa
usually happy i'll constant occupation
" never cry" she told me, as the
other girls do, gently aud soothingly
i wait, bearing and conccaling eve
) rythlng till | can bear no longer all,
; then | have a regular stUrm--a CT,
} like thnndcr-showcr, enough to xii
, you, Nina, but such as | need f
clear out the ugly vapors, which vii
collect in my heart 50 you will I'm
dcrstand did not make such a grea
fuss because Nellie was thoughtless
1t has been many weeks since | have
had a storm before, and shall feel
the better for it bcsidcs," she added,
SUIcmnly, / never SD fully realize
that God is our Father, as when [ am
becoming happy again after such sad
times"
From this time l have numbered
Lottic Merrill among my dearest
friends, and, as look back upon those
years of schoolgirl intimacy, with
thoughtful, philosophic glance, l real
lze the blessed influence which each
of us cxerted upon the undevcloped
character Of the other. Lottic, though
younger in years than myself, was
older in experience, and her earnest
endcavors to do right, at whatever
sacrifice of present pleasures, were of
untold advantage to one of my vola-
tile temperament. So far as mental
discipline and culture were concerned,
she contributed more to my advance
mcnt than my teachers. Much, how
ever, as | gained from her, our friend
>hip-not myself, particularly, for any
affection which would have given her
scll-cOnlidcncc would have done the
same work for her-exertcd a still
more marked influence upon her char
acter. The morbid feelings she lad
cherished were diss;pated, by merely
bringing them to the light. | showed
her some of the notes | had received
concerning her, as the candid opinions
of her school mates, and, though they
were none too tattering, they proved
u salutary lesson, since they showcG
! her that it was her own fault that she
had been alone among these compan
ions.
There was no sudden change in
LOttic. She was too much engrosscd
in her studies to join in many Of the
frolics Of the girls, but when she did
allow herself a holiday, she entered
into our sports with hcartiness and
good will which soon made us wish
she would join Us ottener.
| recollcct one time, during the In
dian Summer of that year, when
was heartily provoked with her for
what seemed obstinaCy in self.denial.
A nuttlng party was proposed, and
Lottie was unusually elated in antici-
pating the holiday. She seemed de-
lighted as u little child, at the pros
pcct Of getting ont in the dear old
woods. AS | listened to her enthu
! slastlc accounts Of the nice times she
had enjoyed years before, when her
only brother, whom she now met but
rarely, had been her companion,
wanted to ask all the girls to come
and see how really handsome her ami
nation made her. None Of US doubted
but that Madame Boalt would readily
give her consent to our plans, as Il
group of US went mcrriIy, in the name
Of all, to ask it, The desired pcrmis.
sion, for most Of us, was given AS
soon as asked then she made some
exceptions to those girls who had
been lately delinquent in their studies,
and as VIC were about to leave, she
added, as an atter-thouSht-
Tell Lottie this will be a fine op,
portunity for her to complete that
large map she has commenced
think her good sense will convince
her that she will find longer lived
pleasure in doing this, than in stray
ing in the woods with you idlcrs."
Lottic thus to be kept at home with
the poor scholars 1t reused my in
dignation, and | said earnestly.
But, madame, you do not mean
that Lottie must not so, do you ?"
=" | do not think she will wish to go,
when she knows how she may please
me better :" was the cold response, as
she turned to her book with an air
which forbade further interruption.
Lottic was sadly disappointed, yet
vainly begged her to go to Madame
herself, for the desired permission-l
was sure her request would be grant
ed, for she was justly favorite with
all the teachers. The only motive
which had any weight with her, was
that should enjoy the day better fol
her companionship, but this she would
scarcely allow. She did not try to
conceal the fact that it seemed almost
like an unjust punishment, from me.
" 1t has always been the way" said
she, 81 ought to be accustomed TO it.
Madame has no idea that the glorious
old woods, with their gala dress and
golden light, have as great Il charm
for me, as for the rest Of you. She
does not imagine have any feelings,
SO she appeals to my good sense. Q
dear, | believe | wish had not the
name Of having good sense. | could
not, however, enjoy the day, now,
were | to go, since | should keep
thinking of our teachers wishes, so |
may as well be contented"
Sadly, Lottie made her preparations
for L busy day, and then came out as
cheerlully, to see us start away, as
though she We're not longing to join
us.
Il should think you would like to
come with u.s." said Hattie W.
And should think 50 too, if Mad
anne had not told me better" was the
gay reply, as we left her.
Upon my return, found her very
cheerful. After hearing prolix ac-
count of our days pleasure, from me,
she said, You seem t. think have
nothing pleasant to tell you, and truth