The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-04-14
A Strange StOry-The Power of Female
Fascination.

a woman
We were once acquainted with q 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 irmness of
purpose, strength of will. and great per-
sonal magnetism. The woman had the
singular power OF attracting and hold
ing in thrall the hearts and
minds OF young girls. She commenced
her career as a teacher in small coun-
try town. Among her scholars was a
young girl, not particularly bright or at
tractive, to whose advancement in study
she soon devoted herself almost exclu-
sively.
The child returned her affection with
interest, and soon became utterly re-
CARELESS of parents and brothers, whose
pet and idol she was. From being ex-
ceedinGly cheerful and sportive in her
| disposition, she became grave and COM
paratively silent; and when she was
kept away from school by any cause she
grew morose and sulen. Indeed, she
seemed to live only in the presence of
! her teacher.
The parents, observing her infatua-
ton, and being jealous of the influence
of this strange woman over their daugh-
ter, Withdrew her from the village
school, and sent her 10 boarding-school
some distance away. Scarcely had they
effected this removal when the teacher
threw up her situation, packed up her
belongings, and made off In few
days the parents learned that their
daughter, when left at school, had
shown symptoms of characterization,
and desire to run away; that she had
refused to study, or take part in any of
the conversations or amusements Of the
other girls, and, indeed, had declined
to eat and it had been concluded that
it would be best TO send her home, when
lady arrived, and requested TO see the
refractory pupil.
The principal wrote: "The visitor
has worked a marvellous change in your
daughter; she is now all laughter and
frolic. The lady is a teacher and she
has applied for a situation in this insti-
tuition; but, as our rules allow of the
engagement Of none but those of our
own faith, she has decided to remain in
the village and open day school," This
she did, and thus she gained frequent
opportunities of seeing and talking with
her former pupil.
At the end of the term, the parents,
finding that their scheme for weakening
the influence OF the teacher over their
child had failed, sent for their daughter.
resolved to keep her at home. and en-
gage for her another teacher.
The week after her return her friend
came, soliciting the position of COVER.
ness. This request was refused, and n
= stranger was advertised for and obtain.
ed. Thus separated from the object of
her affections, the girl seemed trans
formed into fiend. She DESTROYED her
, books, threw inkstands and other arti-
! Giles at the head Of the governess, and
+: declared that she would kill her if she
: did not leave In self-defense the poor
I young woman was forced to give up her
= situation.
The former teacher renewed her visits
offering not only to instruct the child
without charge, but also to help with
= the domestic work Of the house, if she
f should be permitted to remain. This
: privilege was denied her, and she re.
! sumed her position as a teacher in the
Q town. She was allowed-as her charac
g ter was unexceptionable, and no ra
. tional excuse could be given dor with
! holding consent-to visit her old pupil
. occasionally.
| These visits continued until the fam
| ly became eXasrcrated by noticing that
f their daughter (now grown into woman
e hood loathed the company of all young
: men, and was particularly uncivl to-
n and averse to receiving the visits Of
: one gentleman, of whom they highly
;. approved and who, they thought, would
Y be q desirable husband for her. This
a greatly incensed them and, being the
e most influential and wealthy family in
), the town, they brought all their infu
h ence to bear against the poor teacher
/ and raised such a feeling against hcl
|, that she lost her position in the school
Il and was obliged to leave and seek sub
h sistence elsewhere. She came to this
;. city (Philadelphia), promising her girl
+ lover that she would soon make home
y and send for her TO preside over it. She
: worked Tor year or two, but did not
Y succeed III carrying out her wishes.
f During this time she wrote daily tc
n her beloved, endeavoring to cheer and
# keep her hopeful, but it was without
# avail. The young girl moped and re
i fused to be comforted, and she was fast
t passing into a condition of hopeless mel
i ancholy, when her friend wrote her tc
4 come and share her home, such as il
y was. This, much to the chagrin of hel
: parents, she resolved to do. They told
!, her if she left their house she left also
/ her position as a daughter that not one
o cent Of their money should ever enrich
4 so cruel and undutiful child. All this
e was without avail. She left her luxuri
= Gus and beautiful abode; and they saw
; her leave them for life of poverty and
labor with stern eyes, though aching
hearts. She came to her friend. who
| was earning bare subsistence, and who
Q was living in a small, third.story back
, room. Thus united, they resolved to
4 cling to each other until death did
| them part" The elder was the pro.
! wider, the younger was the housekeeper.
, Often suffering for the comforts of ex-
: istence, they yet, so they averred, were