The Van Buren press., 1874-11-10
MISCELLANY.
The New Pupil.
BIZ MRS. A. W. CURTIS.

she valnly trleu 10 shotnci oen'"" q"
elegant lace edged handkerchief
"What is it, you provoking thing Z
Why don't you tell US, so we can laugh
too2"
"Well-you-see," she gasped out at
last, "we'vc got new pupil, the querest
looking thing you ever saw. l happened
to be in Madam's room when she arrived.
She came in the stage, and had mite OF
an old-fashioned hair trunk, not much
bigger than bandbox. and she came
into Madam's room with funny little
basket in her hand, and sat down as II
she frud come to stay forever. She said,
Arc you Madam Gain" Yes, she
replied, that is my name. Well, I've
come to stay year at your school. >
And then she pulled her handkerchief
out of the basket. and unrolled it until
she came to an old leather wallet. and
actually took out two hundred and fifty
dollars and laid it in Madam hand, say
ing That is just the amount, l believe ;
will you please give me receipt Tor 1t
You never saw Madam lock so surprised.
She actually didn't know what AAeay for
minute; but she gave. her tho kceipt,
asked her few questions, and had her
taken to No. 10. and there she is now.
this very minute.
"Well, what was there so funny about
all that?'
"Why, this she has red hair tucke
into a black net, and looks just like a
fright every way. She had on brown
delainc dress, without a sign ola ruiilc or
trimming Of any kind, and the shabdiest
ha, and shawl you ever saw. You'll
laugh too when you gee her.
Belle Burnett was an only child, and
her wealthy father was pleased to graft
fy her every whim. So, besides being
far too elegantly dressed for school
girl, she was supplied with plenty OF
pocket money, and being very generous
and full Of life and fun, she was the &C
knowledged leader among Madam's pu
pills.
When the tea hell rang, the new conner
was escorted to the dinng-room, and in
troduced to her schoolmates as Miss
Fannie Comstock. She had exchanged
her brown delainc for plain calico
dress, with a bit Of white edging about
the neck. She did look rather queer,
with her small, thin, freckled face, and
her red heir brushed straight back from
her face, and hidden as much as possible
under large black net, and but for the
presence of Madam her first reception
would have ho.n exceedingly unpleasant.
Sheswas shy and awkward, and evidently
i'll at ease among SO many strangers. As
soon as possible she hastened back to
the secluson Of her own room. The
next day she was examined, and assigned
to her place in the different classes, and,
to the surprise Of ALL she was far in ad-
vance Of those OF her age. But this did
not awaken the respect of her school.
mates, as it should have done. On the
contrary, Belle Burnett and her especial
friends were highly incensed about it,
and at once commenced a series Of petty
annOyances, whenever it was safe to- do
it, which kept poor Fannie miserable in
deed, although she seemed to take no
notice of it. A few weeks passed by.
Her lessons were always perfectly recited.
She made no complaint Of the sights
and snecrs Of her companions, but kept
out of their way as much as possible
Her thin face grew paler, however, and
there were dark rings about her eyes A
watchful friend would lave seen that all
these things were wearing cruelty upon
her young life. One Saturday the very
spirit of wickedness seemed let loose
among them. Madam was away the
other teachers we've busy in their own
rooms. Fannie had been out for walk,
and was near the door Of her room when
dozen or more Of the girls surrounded
her, clasping hands together so she was
prisoner in their midst. For moment
she begged pitcously to be released, but
they only laughed the more, and began
going around and around singing some
thing which Belle had composed, cruel,
miserable, insulting words. She stood
for an instant pale and still then with q
piercing cry she burst through the ring,
ard rushing into her room closed and
locked the door. Through their wild
peals oflaughter the girls heard strange
moan and a heavy fall.
81 believe she has tainted, said Belle.
"What shall we do ?" said another.
For moment they stood there, sober
enough then one of them ran for the
matron and told her that Fannie Com
stock had tainted in her room, and the
door was locked.
She had long ladder put to the win
dow, and sent the janitor to see il 1t was
true. Fortunately the window was open,
and in few moments he had unlocked
the door from the inside. The girls were
huddled together in frightened group,
while Madam lifted the poor girl and
laid her upon the bed. She was in vio-
lent spasms. The doctor was sent for,
but when the spasms ceased alarming
symptoms set in, and he pronounced it a
serious case Of brain fever. II is impos.
sble to tell the shame and rcmorsc OF
the conscience. stricken girls. They
were not brave enough TO confess their
guilt, but hung around the sick room Of
fering their services, vainly wishing they
might atone for 1t in some way. But
their presence only excited the poor suf
fcrer, so they were all sent away. Day
after dav passed and still she ravcd in
violent delirium. The little hair trunk
was searched, to find some clue to her
friends, but there was nothing in it but
the plainest, scantiest supply Of clothes.
Day after day the doctor came, looking
grave and anxious, and at last the crisis
came For many hours she lay AZ II
dead, and not noise was permitted to
disturb tho awful silence while they walt