Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-01-03
Bread Upon the Water
Little Lucy Days Good Work.

Oh, you bad girls-ob, you cruel girls you
called tie new girl charity-scholar| and
Lucy Day stood in the midst of the group of
schoolgirls drawn up to her fullest height,
with her cheeks burning, and her glorious
brown eyes distinguishing very little
queen in her youthful, honest indignation.
"Ill take her for my desk-mate, and-and
I'll never have another word to say to one of
you, more than can possibly help, If YOU
if you ever trouble her again" Lucy Day went
on, stamping her tiny foot upon the platform,
you'll see if l will ItalmoSt made me hate
you, every one of you, when l found that dear
little mothcrless thing hidden away behind the
stairs in the lobby, with her black frock
splashed all over with tears, and sobbing so
dreadfullyW
But we did not think she'd care so very
much !" cried several voices.
Didn't think she'd carel You ought to
be ashamed of yourself to say it, to besure you
had, and you know you are fbbing. Iwish |
was brave, like this Susan Garnet, willing to
come in among lot Of proud, stuck-up
girls, and sweep up their nut-shells and apple
cores. and date-stones, and waste-paper, and
dust their desks, and wash of their nk-stands,
and hang up their waterproofs and hats in the
lobby-and all to get some learning! tell
you she's the first girl in school I'd rather
be Susan Garnet than the whole of us--in one
way had -
I'VE never thought oft in that way, Lucy"
now spoke up Minnie Spear; and you've no
right to be so hard upon us and call us names. y
"Hard upon you? Well, don't want to
be that, Minnie, I'm sure" answered Lucy,
with gentle tone, " only felt so sorry for
the brave little dear !"
"But she's Il tattler, or how did You know
what she was crying about, Lucy Day,-just
tell that ?" interposed Fanny Bradford, with a
malicious sparkle in her black eyes.
Because came'1back last night after a
book and heard sobbing in the lobby, and so
peeped through the key-hole and saw her, and
she didn't tell me one single word J"
"Hush here she comes" cried several
voices under their breath.
Susan Garnet came slowly up the path in
her rusty black frock and her course straw fat
with its black ribbons Withan evident shrink
ing from the group of girls upon the steps, she
was hurrying by them, when Lucy Day placed
herself little before her, and said:
Susie-Susie Garnet, don't go in yet. The
teacher has not come, and it is so pleasant out
under the trees. Do you hear that dear little
bird singing, Susie?"
Susan Garnet looked up with pleased sur
prise it was 50 unexpected. And Il q she
laid her hand in Lucy Days with faint color
in her pale cheeks.
"Oh, we are going to be such friends, you
and I, Lucy went on to say, as she drew Susan
upon the step by her side. 81 liked you the
first minute I saw you, and want you to
sit with me"
with you, Miss Day"
"Oh, please not Miss Day me I'm Lucy
Il don't want to be anything else to you
And you must sit with me-will your 1t will
be so nicel"
"If you ike me to, Of course shall be- oh,
very, very glad;" and here Susan Garnet
choked down a sob.
Come, Susan-come, girls, let US go down
to meet the teacher; l see her just turning the
corner" and now Lucy drew Susan's arm
around her waist, and led the way, the other
girls followed in their suit, giving the new girl
friendly smiles and words.
"Bless your kind little heart, Lucy Day"
whispered Miss Alcott, the teacher, as they
fled up the stairs. al was going to keep the
girls in at recess and lecture them for their
to the new scholar, but you've saved
me the painful duty I'm sure don't know
what could do without you;" and Miss Alcott
raised Lucy's little white hand to her lips and
kissed it with moist eyes. Then they all troop
ed into the schooroom in merry iutter, as
happy schoolgirls will.
Susan Garnet had no more coldness TO fear
now that Lucy Day had taken her up. She
felt it, sitting there by Lucy's side, and Der
poor little motherless heart sang for very JOY
that morning, nor did it ever forget the song it
sang.
Squire Raymond, cried Lucy Day, fit
ting across the street, on her way home from
school, several weeks after the opening Of our