Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-11-17
THE NEW SCHOLAR.

"What a piece of vulgarity she isl said
Mary Williamson, with an expression Of ex-
trcme disgust, as she glanced at the new
rupil. "A calico dress on, and not even
French-nothing but American print And
made in such dowdy style too, y
And believe that is a cotton net on her
hair said another.
Yes, and that is not the worst of it.
Her mother Is a scamstress, ard lives over a
store !" added Helen Price. Il think 1t Is a
shame for Miss Thomas to admit such girls
10 her school Ny mother sent me here be-
cause she heard it was a very select school.
shouldn't wonder if she would take me
away Immediately"
We'll, one thing is certain, | shall never
take any notice OF the low creature, said
Mary.
Nor l. you may be sure. feel contain
mated by her presence. said julia. Il
think poor pcorle ought to go to free
schools -
At this moment the bell rang, and the
girls went to their places. Julia having to
pass the desk Of the new pupil, whose name
was Annie Duncan, haughtily turned her
head ard drew her silk skirt around her, so
that it might not touch the American
Print
ANIME naturally felt little embarrassed
among 50 many strangers, and had not left
her seat during recess She had been look
ing around, however. and observed the girls
whispering. BY their frequent glances to
ward herself she knew that she wa, the OBJ
ject Of their remarks; and the expression
OF their faces told her that she had not
made an agreeable impression upon them.
She noticed their fine dresses and stylish
appearance, aud blush covered her face for
moment as she glanced at her own plain
attire and contrasted it with theirs.
OH why does my mother Insist upon
nv coming to this SchOol?' she asked her
self These girls will dcspiSe me for my
poverty cannot endure their scorn. Why
are We SO poor and they so rich p Tears
came to her eyes; but she quickly brushed
them away as she remembered the lessons
OF Independence and true dignity that her
mother had endeavored to instill into the
minds Of her children. Il m ashamed Of
myself Tor indulging such thoughts for a
moment. | would not have any body
know that they ever entered my mind. /
re- iy did not know that | could be so fool
Ish. know that dress does not make a
la.iy and that, even if We are poor We can
be -sfned good and intelligent-anG mean
TO be ali. knew before came ;hat | should
ha7e this trial, and determined to bear
II brayely; and uiU So Annie Duncan,
al You have TO do, IN future, is to attend TO
Your lessons, improve every advantage you
possibly can obtain, and prepare for the
work You have marked out for yourself. You
arr not here TO make the acquaintance OF or
please these young ladies. 1t matters net
villa. their opinion of you is, it you do moth
lhS .' merit their scorn; so now, once for
all. good bye to such folly
Annie had formed plan which as she did
mt ts.l we will. But in order that her mo-
''Tc- for making it may be understood, it
"'t he necessary to know something of the
pa. aud present circumstances of her fam
i'y
.i'r mother was the daughter of a mer-
eaInr, one ct the richest men in New York
a- 'ae time Of her marriage. She had pIade
sast her father and friends generally called
.Ei.iiant match Mr. Duncan was wealthy
al' very much in love with her She loved
MN for what she supposed him to be. For
some years all went prosperously with them;
oet the husbands dissipated habits, which
tAs wife knew nothing of before marriage,
gradually increased. Ii is not necessary to
follow him closely in his career. 1t is enough
ioT our purpose to know that, when Annie
Was nearly ready to graduate, her father was
aFulned man; broken IN health, aud bank
rI2t IN business The fortune left Mrs d.
by her father had gone with that OF her hus-