Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1861-08-07

in my face, seemed almost TO read my heart. -
The hands, claSped together were Drowned by
exposure to wind and sun, but small and well
shaped her dress was Of cheap material, but
plain and neat--gute at variance with the
gaudy ornaments with which some Of the elder
girls chose 10 array themselves. There was
something about her which caused me to gaze
into her face, ill quick flush reminded me, and,
walking frmyto my desk, | called the school
10 order After the opening exercises were
over | crossed the room, standing by the new
pupil | asked her name. Agatha ice she
'excamed 10 low sweet Voice, which reminded
me Of the chirping OF robin, who walked me
every morning by his carol outside my win
dow. Agatha : | repeated, thinking how
well the name suited the demure little figure
Again her face flushed, and plying her contu.
sion moved back to my desk. | need not tell
you, Charley, how often glanced toward her
during the day for | see, by your incredulous
look, that you are half inclined to believe | am
inycnting this which lam telling you but tell
you that child, Agatha Lee, found that door in
my heart which none other has ever done,
learned that Agat~a was the only daugh-
ter Of widow lady who had seen better deys,
but now took in sewing to support herself and
Agatha. After Agatha's introduction to the
school | frequently walked over to the little
white cottage by the hillside, and spent hours
there; in fact, my numerous visits there we're
noticed; and lady jokeingIy told me that,
were Aggie little older, or her mother twenty
years younger, She should think there was a.
chance Of my gaining bride during my stay
in the village. This had but the effect to cause
ne to reflect a little was now nineteen, Ag-
atha Lee but ten and | formed the resolve,
one day, to win her when few years had pass.
ed away; she was a child then, but yet a wo.
man to me. You may call this looIiah-ro-
mantle if you choose, and | will admit it all
but it was life romance, and one which, now
.Lat joy is gone cmbItteIs my life"
And the speaker was silent for mam,nt
goziog into the glowing cmbcrs, with a mstincs'
Gathering in his brilliant eyes.
"Tho winter wore away and Aggie grew tc
oyc me as brother. could see her face
light up when she heard my voice and the smile
grew brighter GU her lips. Bat the time ap
preached for me to leave hcr--to 90 back tt
college life again. | did not speak Of this to-
her until one day jnst before IcG l was
",laaic,' said, wa,china her face a,
spoke, 'Aggte,' am going to leave you. She
turned aud caught my hand, To leave me-
she echoed
,yo. Acc;o I am oon, hack u rr scbooI
.a;',,", ,,n ;,,.J3J .r
teacher. Throwing open the gate which stood
',o:o s.;, ~, "om' Uor sorrn m, =" Ioocag
s5G' e. 1p' ~ 2oo oo'J nont u" g.. '
r"," v, ansror m bn, ,onr M GJ ~ NV honj
m, ~, NV, Ao,;o f1r s,alI c,n,o I,or. 80 soo
yo9 often, if yo1 wish o ,Oh, will you, will
yoo, Mr.. Rivers :? and smiles banished the tears
from her face. 4 will. agatha
We entered the house Mrs. Lee sat near
the window, as usual, sewing,
'Oh mother Mr.. Rivers is going away |
sad Agatha.
Is he replied Mrs. Lee gancmg up from
her work aud seeing me, She added, so soon,
Mr. Rivers We'll, Aggie and l shall miss
you very much, for We have but lew visitors,
and she sighed.
All Mrs. Lee, shall claim the privilege Of
sometimes calling upon you, If you will grant
it,
Il shall he most happy to do so she answer.
ed, smiling
AGATHA left the room at that moment
Mrs. Lee, [ spoke quickly, | have re-
quest to make yon.'
She looked at me in amazement.
a strange request doubtless, Won will think
it. but il is also an earnest one. Your daugb.
ter. Aoatba, is bu, child vet; she is more
than that to me ; and ask YOU, if one day
can win her heart that NAV have your consent
TO our union p
l., l,,ood ma nal g..
+, ",". ~ hor n foot "nJ oosaJ " ma ' n;oWt w.
roo ron,ring ,ioo W '' ' ""' 5''''' ~ ''' ''"''
''Py'"o'
"hy ask now Is to@t may nave pGrmlS'
sion 10 bear the expenses OF educauon' con-
unued'
She spoke then.