The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-03-08
A Woman infatuated by a Woman
A STRANGE STORY.

Anna E. Nc Dowell, Philadelphia
authoress, tells the following very sim
gular story:
We were once acquainted with wo-
man of high culture and strong mental
characteristics, who, though OF slight
and delicate appearance, possessed
many masculine traits of character, and
who was distinguished for frmness OF
purpose, strength of will, and great
personal ma gnetism. This woman had
the singular power of attracting ana
holding in thrall the hearts and minds
of our young girls. She commenced
her career as teacher in Il small coun-
try town. Among her scholars was
young girl, not particularly bright OF
attractive, to whose advancement III
+ study she soon devoted herself almost
exclusively.
The child returned her affection with
!, interest. and soon became utterly re-
: gardless of parents and brothers, whose
pet and idol she was. From being ex-
,, ceedingly cheerful and sportiye in her
o disposition, she became grave and COM
g paratively. silent, and when she was
: kept away from school by any cause
: she grew morose and sullen. Indeed,
she seemed to live only in the presence
of her teacher.
The parents, observing her infatua'
n ton, and being jealous of the influence
- of this strange woman over their only
daughter, withdrew her from the vii
lase school and sent her. to boarding
school some distance away. Scarcel,
g had they effected this removal whel
j. the teacher threw up her situation
hacked up her belongings and mad
her way off.
Y. In a few days the parents learne
g that their daughter, upon being left
- school, had manifested symptoms OF IL
subordination and desire to ri
on. away; that she had refused to study
col take part in any of the conversation
1 pI amusements of the other girls, and, Il
in deed, had declined to eat, and it h;
pg' been concluded that it would be be
clu- to send her home, when a lady Q
rees rived and requested to see the refra
Jus , -
les tory pupil.
rger The principal wrote: "The visi
ever has worked marvellous change in "
tiles daughter; she is now all laughter q
frolic. The lady is a teacher, and
Tue has applied for situation in this
man stitution but as our rules allow OF
engagement of none but those of
% paw own faith, she has decidedto remai
-, the village and open day school
Aia' This she did, and thus she gained
t ! for quent opportunities of seeing and II
Duisi- ing with her former pupil.
". At the end of the term the pare
~, finding that their scheme for veal
!. ing the influence Of the teacher I
pides1 their child had failed, sent for
oilers 80 n daughter, resolved to keep her at h
from and engage for her another teach'
: VI The week after her return her II
1865, came, soliciting the position of &C
AK on ness. This request was refused
= Nh ~ stranger was advertised for and
report tanned. Thus separated from the
dealt iect of her affections, 5the girl SCI
transformed into fend. She
. La troyed her books, threw inkstand
,~~>oo~ other articles at the head Of the
erness, and declared that she J
Fcr the kill her if she did not leave. In
ri aa,' defence the poor young woman
} same forced to give up her situation.
e ordd; The former teacher renewed he
lex. Tits, offering not only to instru
child without charge, but also t
r;n1 with the domestic work of the he
she should be permitted loren
,p p, This privilege was denied her, a
,w pat resumed her position as teacl
/. Tack the town. She was allowed,
DIN. character was unezceptionable,