New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-03-29
For the Sunday Republican
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BY ONEIDA.
"For the life of me can not see what
teachers and trustees all find in Nellie Foster
to make such pet of. She is not brilliant
indeed, if they did not make so much of
her and help her as they do she
would be positively dull. She is not
good looking; to me she is fright
full with that carroty head of hers, and it is
said that she is founding, and that there
is not doubt but that Walter Foster knows
whose child she is, and who put her in his
garden; for my part think it a shame she
should be taken in a school with girls from
our best families, without having her put
ahead of us in everything by the partiality
of teachers. know that if my father were
living would not be permitted 10 graduate
with the presumptuous upstart."
There were several listening to this speech,
and Nellie was sitting just back of Sarah
Black, hearing every word; and the venomed
slander seemed positively burning in upon
some such hints in early childhood,
which her mother had hushed up among
the servants with but look and word,
but her smile was so sweet, and her kiss so
natural as she sent her forth to play, that
the incident soon passed from her mind;
but now as these dreadful words of shame
fell upon her ears the past came rushing in
upon her, and mutely the poor girl sat
shivering and trembling like young oak
suddenly blasted by the lightning stroke.
The first second the face blushed to burn
ing scarlet, and the eyes fairly blazed as the
hot fluid darted forth from the slauderous
tongue of the envious girl. and burned into
every fibre of her being; then as the stroke
had fallen, and the work was done she sat,
mute and pale, nor raised her head from her
breast where her heart lay painting for
breath in the cold blood cOngealed about it.
The hignspirited, impulsive Emma Lott
heard the enyious slander, saw the stricken
girl, and cried out:
"For shame Sarah Black Who would
think that you have been raised by Christian
parents / love not Nellie Foster. 1t is
scarcely in ones nature particularly to love
the girl who is forever taking every honor
over her, however much one may try for
them; but do love justice and truth, and
you have not uttered one word of truth so
far as we know; and as for the story of a
foundling, l doubt not but that it is as
false as all else you have said. But even if it
be true, would rather never have been born
than live to do what you have this morn
ing dsne; and say shame on the girl who
will permit such vile SANDER to influence
her for single moment. As for her not
being good enough to associate with the
best of us, it is wholly false. l care not
who her parents were, God stamped her
from the hour of her birth the peer of any
of us, and it little becomes us to dispute his
fat. for one can never again take your
hand as my equal. There are things which
distinguish between people, and this morn
ing you have shown that there is dividing
line between yourself and your classmates
nor is this the first time your conduct has
pointed it out; but this day has decided il
forever with me-
And the noble girl turned her back and
walked away, not deigning a reply to Sarah
Blacks angry vituperations.
Three months more and the great hall
was crowded; for thirty seniors were appli
cants for honors which would go forth with
them into life, and cling to them through
out all their coming days.
A carriage drove up to the hall door with
two of the young aspirants in it.
''Nellie, 1 do tell you if you do not arouse
from the weak timidity into which you have
fallen for the last three months and do
yourself justice in this examination I viii
never forgive you"
"Why, Emma, would thousand times
rather see you get the first honors, and as
shall not be able to take them you will; SO
say no more, dearest.n
''And feel that am taking what should
be yours; that would indeed be great honor,
and very gratifying to me. No, Nellie, if we
are to be friends through life, you must do
your best. I mean what l say, and if you
love me you will do it.n
81 know, Emma, you never utter any
thing but truth, and promise you to do my
very best, but for all that, hope you will
get the first honor, and after this promise
you must not hold me accountable for a
failure"
One young lady at time had to bear
her examination alone. Emma Lott came
first. She faltered only once; then she
showed by her answer that she did not fully
comprehend the point to which the ques-
tion pertained. Next came Nellie Foster.
.'Now, Nellie, don't you falter or MISS
At first Nellie answered timidly but
clearly. As her examination progressed
she glanced at the smiling face Of her friend
and become assured. Her interest in the
subject matter she was being examined
upon was soon sprung. Then her voice
grew strong and her answers loud and dis
tinct. There was beautiful connection
of thought and reason in all her replies
which was charming every listener. She