Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-22
SELECTED STORY
Lutte RAYMOND'S RECOMPENSE
BY EMILY A. GETCnELL

| LIZ IL II NUM- > uENVmI LN0E
BY EMILY A. GETCHELL.
Cool western breezes futtered the green
leaves Of the shadowy elm trees and waited
through the low, brown-vailed school-room
like the passage Of huge wings futtering
loose leaves and papers, and sweeping them
to the floor then, bearing onward in its
progress through the world, the hum and
buzz Of the busy life within.
Through the open, blindless windows,
curtained only by the shadows, in the
rear Of, the breeze, came the far.of, tinkling
echo Of the ri6e-stroke, and the shrill calls
Of chanticleer to bis neighbors, while dim.
dreary haze brooded over the horizon, and
the fragrant incense of new mown hay rose
up from the affairs of the fields, with the
golden sun smiling down on all
Lutte Raymond, presiding over her small
kingdom, throned behind her rough, pine
desk, felt the wierd, viewless, influences Of
the season, and dreamed Of the famed land
Of the lotus eaters only thought, however,
the realities about her, fully precluded any
thing more serious. Fresh from home of
afauence and plenty she had settled down as
district school-ma'am, in the little town of
Oxford.
''1'm not going to Saratoga or Long
Branch this summer, papa" had been her
reply to her indulgent parent, when interro-
gated as to the amount of funds needed for
her summer outfit. "Pm going into the
country to keep school, grow brown, drink
buttermilk, teach the young idea how to
shoot, and perhaps bring home husband"
This last. to her stately mamma, who stood
amazed at this new freak Of her undignifed
daughter. Esrrs v.ts
II don't care what you say,' she went on,
in answer to the storm Of queries, expostu-
lations, and ridicule. "I'm tired of being
dressed up, and stuck up, and aping doll,
and [ mean to 90 where [ can wear my old
dresses, and descend from my dignity when
l please-perhaps do some good and i'm.
prove my life little There's need enough
Of the last two, every one knows"
So, leaving fashionable friends, fine
dresses, and manners, all her irksome So
ciety letters behind, she went out into the
country to refresh her youth, and study ma
ture, for which she found large field in her
school. zJfE
What an odd study it was! Every face
different, every mind unlike, habits and in
clinations as widely apart as fire and water;
and yet the whole had strange fascination,
which strengthened and drew closer the bond
between teacher and pupils.
The latter, by the instinct Of youth, soon
grew to respect their instructress, and all
needs and disputes were implicitly referred
to Teacher sure Of speedy and just ar
bitrament. So far Lutes mission had sue
ceeded.
Some individuals of her flock she made an
especial study /; each was character in it.
self, and deeply interested her. Chief
among these was Harvey Bruce, the eldest
pupil under her control
He was one Of those specimens Of human
ity we instinctivcly wonder at and pity
Wonder at, because Of the constantly recur.
ring anomalies in the composition ; and
pity, on account Of their evident unadapted-
ness to their station In life,
On her first taking the school, her atten
ton had been drawn to this youth, and hel
pity and sympathy for his forlornness had
been excited by the harsh words of his fa
Their, at whose house she was spending lie;
first week of boarding round.
There's Luke and Asa" was his re-
mark, "as smart as any fellers in the dee
strict but that ERE Harve don't earn hi
salt, and haint any more gumption than ar
old cow ALI he cares for is books ane
larnin." Couldn't lay swarth, or pillow {
furrer to save himself but be can daut
the house all over with charcoal, and rag
dipped in the blue-pots. Wonder what hi
thinks will earn his bread and butter wheI
he grows up?:"
During this TRADE, Lutte had watched tn
dropping figure, measured the long, shamb
! ling limbs, noted the slender, elaw-lik
hands, and when, as the old farmer turned
away, the large, wistful eyes lifted sharpl,.
and questioningly to her face, she met thei
mute appeal with a bright smile and en-
couraging nod, which made the poor fel
lows face flush, and his eyes droop again
as if his fathers harsh opinion had bee
conceded in.
I am wrong to say boy Harvey wa
I4ute's equal in age, and of mans stature
{ so that he literally looked down on hi
young instructress and as Lutte looked
: him this afternoon, and remembered b
t physical and mental disparity, her heart al
: most sank at the thought Of the responsible
ity that rested upon her in regard to bin
All the afternoon she sat and watched hI1
at his desk in far-off corner, his whole
! tention devoted to the book and slate beto'
: him .,Stl
b The pupils evidently congratulated then
selves on the ease with which they accor
/, plished their Rotations, for their teacn'
was too much absorbed to heed any but Il
most fragrant delinquency. 5# :.
School was over at last. and Lutte waite
ed with reliefthe exit of the last OF the troo
but, as she returned from the door. she So
that Harvey still remained at his seat, an
with his head leaning on his hand, seem
contemplating something on the desk
fore him. is stsf& rs ,-a
She passed quietly down the room, al
:. stepped behind him to discover what 1t VI
- To her surprise, she found it to bea CO.