The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-08-24
THE NEW PUPIL.


"oh, girlsl Ishall Just die, I know
/ shallN exclaimed Belle Burnett,
going OF into IN hystsrical tlt OF laugh.
tor, which sha yainly tried to smother
behind an elegant lace.edged handker.
chief.
"What is 1t, you provoking thing
Why don't you tell us, 80 We can laugh
too?"
"wcll-you-see,p she gasped out
ut last, "we'ye got q new pupil, the
queercSt looking thing you ever saw. l
happened TO be in Madam's room when
che arrived. She came in the stage,
and had mite Of m old-fashioned hair
trunk, not much bigger than band
box, and she came into ATadam's room
with q funny little basket in her hand,
and sat down as II she had come to stay
forever. She said, Are you Madam
Gazin?' YES she replied, that is
my name. well, Two come to stay q
year at your school, And then she
pulled her handkerchief out Of the has.
ket, and unrolled it until she came to
m old leather wallet, and actually took
out two hundred and fifty dollars and
laid 1t in Madam's hand, saying, THAT
is Just the amount, / believe; will you
please give mo a receipt for it?' You
never saw Madam look SO surprised. She
actually didn't know what to say for a
minute; but she gave her the receipt,
asked few questions, and had her
taken to No. 10, and there she is now,
this very minute" n
q "Well, what was there SO funny
about all that ?"
"Why this : she has red hair tucked
into q black net, and looks just like a
fright every way. She had on a brown
delaine dress, without sign OF q ruflle
or trimming Of any kind, and the shah.
biest hat and shawl you ever saw.
You'll laugh, too, whom you sec her."
Belle Burnett was an only child, and
her wealthy father was pleased to
crafty her every whim. So, besides
beingfar too elegantly dressed for o
school gifl, she was supplied with
plenty Of pocket money, and being very
generous and full of life and fun, she
was the Acknowledged leader among
Madam's pupils.
When tic tea-bell rang, the now.
conner was escorted to the dinlng.room,
and introduced TO her schoolmates as
Miss Fannie Uomstock. She had ex-
changed her brown delaine for plain
calico dress, with q bit OF white edging
about tho neck. She did look rather
queer, with her small, thin, freckled
face, and her red hair brushed straight
back from ler face, and hidden as much
rs possible under q large black net, and
but for the presence OF Madam her first
reception would have been exceedingly
unpleasant, She was shy and awkward,
and evidently Ill at ease among SO many
strangers. As soon as possible she
hastened back to the seclnsion- Of her
own room. Tho next day size was ex-
amined. and assigned to her place in
the different classes, and, to the sur.
prise Of oil she was far in advance OF
those Of her age. But this did not
awaken the respect Of her schoolmates,
as 1t should have done. On the con.
trary, Belle Burnett and her especial
friends were highly incensed about It,
and at once commenced aseriesof petty
annoyances, whenever Il was safe TO do
IL, which kept poor Fannie miserable
indeed, although shc seemed to take no
notice Of IT. A few weeks passed by,
Her lessons were always perfectly re.
cited. She made no complaint OF the
Sights and sneers 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 have 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 were busy in their own rooms.
Fannie had been out for o walk, and
was near tue door Of her room when o
dozen or more OF the girls surrounded
her, clasping hands together so she was
o prisoner in their midst. For a mo.
ment she begged piteously to be re.
leased, but they only laughed the more,
and began going around and around,
singing something which Belle had COM
posed-oruel, miserable, insulting
words. She stood for an instant pale
and still then with q piercing cry she
burst through the ring, and rushing
into her room, closed and locked tho
door. Through their wild peals Of
laughter The girls heard a strange moan
LII "a / believe shO has iainted," said
ii sWhat shall we dose said another.
For a moment they stood there,
sober enough; then one Of them ran
for the matron and told her that Fannie
Comstock had tainted In her room, and
thA door waa locked