Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1860-04-20
APRIL 20, 1860.


no, at my vanquishnent.
"And how arc YOU pleased with your
school 2" no asked, walking by my side IN
an easy. carclc.. way a, though he was an
acquaintance Of years.
81 am delighted" answered. "Iean'
no, c1prc.. to you how much So"
IIo laughed heartily. Looking into bis
face at that moment thought ! could trace
u strong resemblance between him and the
doctor. son, Frank Eldridge. A most un'
pleasant idea dAwned upon my mind. a
ll,,lc apeer,d I determined TO mako the
most Of IL.
/ The scholars arc very we'll" replied,
half maliciously. IL su'pce, that the
iro4ble lies with ,h,ir parents. Tho ring.
leader Of all the mischief seems to have
grown up In mos, unhealthy atmosphere.
should say that his father was no, very
de,out friend Of Sabbath schools. and tha,
would bo mild saying, indeed, and char.
table one on my part"
! Ny words took immediate effect. A liz.
lie dA.h Of color appearing suddenly upon
the gentleman. face, spoke palmer than
word. could have done. Seeing my adyau.
iag- I continued. in tan,alizins way.
People tell me .hA, thi, Rldridsc boy
has no, known a mothers care since bis
carlir', infancy. Tba. Is solf.e1iaent. ]
have been more lcnilent remembering this
Hut ift u "a mothers care tha, he needs, !
would advise hi, father mos, heartily TO
make an a,iemr, to secure him the care Of
some good, true woman"
"You would?"
lie looked me fully in the face as hc ask.
ed the question. was no, equal 70 the or
deal.
Ierew suddenly confused, aud trying to
answer him, stumbled upon three or four
answers a, tho same time.
"Your advice !. mos, excellent, Miss Ia.
kin. hop- tho unfortunate gentleman
will be able to ac, upon it,"
-, do I, mos, sinccrcly,"I | answered,
blu.hing beneath bic strange. questioning
glance. "ior tho boy, SAKE, he would do
we'll to mako the matter ono Of importincc
until he succeeds. /" added. more because I
would no, allow myself to TO b. .ilsnc,d By
his gaze. than because cared TO speak.
"Perhar. you would be willing to aid tho
gentleman in question, since you were the
fir, to sug,c., the idea? Would you -
81 am no phrlanthropi,t," answered,
cur,ly. beliryin. that he was making an A..
temp, to quiz me. ~ think too much Of
nv life"
he'intcd. Iaw that I was going too
far The gentleman smiled. We were
close hy the school house door, and tho con.
yer-aiion could q no further. With a
good morning" no turned away, while |
entered the -chool.room.
"who was ;ha, genilcman?" ! asked Of
a child, standing by the door
I "Dr. Eldriiec, Frank EIdriiso', faith
or." was the reply.
. knew that well enough before. but hear,
ing it verified by the child'' lips ssn, my
blood ,hro5b!us and beating loudly at my
heart.
The day tha. following was no, pleas.
ant one to mo-. Not tha, my scholars were
unusually rude or boi.terou'-to the con-
trary, they were quic,cr than ! had ever
before known them; bu. somehow my con-
science troubled inc. Thinking OF th'
mo,hrrlcss boy bOioro mo, I saw ,ha, in
dealing with him had put away from my
heart that blessed charity which sudere,h
long and IS kind. had called anger jus
iicc, and by I, dealt with him. | had for.
gotten how warm human word, sink
through tho eonsealcd surf,cs Of the heart,
touching and stirring i,a purest depths.
had blamed the father. And there
was wrong again. ofihc world, | a wo.
man, had a rish, to look s,raigh, through
hi. indulgence, to the aiherly tenderness
tha, could not gire birth to n rcprimand or
7 a rcbuke; to the lovc that could not, bs'
cau,c Of the mothet resting in the grave
rueto out the justice ,ha, tho child merit
cd.
I How the tender hands Ofpity brought
these overlooked truths before my eyes, un-
Ill blinded by tears could not see
The next morning | me, DR.. Ildridge
again, and again hO kept me company tc
the very door Of the sehool.room. His tan
talirins bumor had not left him. and with
sly look in hi, clear gray eyes. he assured
me that tue father Of the unruly pupil had,
indeed taken my advice to heart. Was
glad to hear ~
\ "oh yes" | answered, in sober quiet
way
"I.et one fact console you. Miss Iakin." f"
he said earnestly. "you have succeeded adj
mirabIy with your school. and quite to the
satisfaction of ths villagers. There is a
talk OF having the summer term continued
into the fall. since there is u s,Ou, fund OI
school money on hand"
Dear heavens" ! said, Z" shall 20 era
n.y."
"No, I hope not, unless you will consent
beforehand to engage me as u medical aivi'
SER"
I did not answer him. was in q poor
mood TO bear hi. teasing. Indeed. could
hardly keep back the tears at the thought
Of the many weeks torture they were plan
ming out for me, For sir week. (half OF
/ ,ha surmar ter,nN had been irving 10 keer