New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-04-02

tinct. There was q beautiful connection
of thought and reason In all her reptile
which was charming every listener. sh'
was nearly through, and Emma was prOut
and happy in the success of her friend
when Sarah Black quickly leaned back o
the row OF girls and whispered distinctly
in her ear the one word-''Foundling.
Nellie's eyes dropped, her face flushed
scarlet, she missed, missed twice, became
deadly pale, and answered not another word
when question was given the lips trembled
and tried to open, but no sound came
forth.
The kind principal passed quietly
on to the examination of the mex
young lady, yet Nellie recovered not,
but pale, mute, and stricken she sat
like immovable marble, as though life it.
self had gone out from her soul.
The close came, diplomas were distrib-
uted, and the honored and beloved prin-
cipal stepped forward and called Miss Lott
to receive the gold medal. Nellie for the
first time looked up, looked up and smiled
lovingly upon her friend. ....I.
A few beautiful remarks, and the medal
was extended to be placed around the neck
of the beautiful girl; every eye was look
ing upon the picture, yet hearts were too
sad for the pale, stricken Nellie to enter fully
into the eolat Of Emma Lott, when she raised
her hand and put back the medal
Pardon me, my beloved teacher, if /
seem to undervalue the honor you would
award me, for it is not so; had fairly won it
none would be prouder than to wear it; but
this honor justly belongs to another. Until
three months ago Nellie Foster was never,
from the hour of her entrance into this
school, known to falter over an answer;
she thought more than any of us, not un-
frequently making an obtuse subject
clearer than the author had done; every
teacher knows this to be true. Just at this
iunc.ure in her uAtivaled success a class
mate in whose heart jealousy ranked, be-
came an active enemy, and do not hesi-
tate to say that no regard to truth has been
observed in her attempts to make my friend
wretched. Nellie is as shrinking as a
sensitive plant, and although she did not
relax her application to her studies, she
could not sit in class with that girls mock
ing look upon her, and answer connecte teddy,
and to-day when Nellie was progressing SO
beautifully, and nearly through she leaned
back and whispered in her ear a taunt
which she knew Nellie would recoil SO en-
tirely from as to be unable to answer far.
ther; and this alone has prevented her
from standing in my place at this moment.
Judge now, my teacher, If can receive this
medal. hope shall not be called upon to
name the offender, for could not comply /;
but the entire class can be asked as to the
truth of what say. I"
The class was much surprised to hear the
voice Of Sarah Black attest to the truth of
this, as naturally and readily as every other
girl in class.
This at once decided the question, and the
teacher spoke:
Miss Lott, as your worthy conduct must
elicit universal admiration, we award to you
the pleasure of placing the medal upon your
friend.
Nellie tried in vain to rise; Emma saw it,
stepped quickly to where she sat, and
placed the medal around her neck, while
Nellie smiled up into her face through fast
falling tears, and the words dearest friend
why did you do this" as they trembled out
from her quivering lips were the first she
had uttered since her failure.