Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-06-17
How Annie Fought with Cant.

"Wcll-not very hard, suppose
whisper before know il, aud then ! don't
care. And dou't see what difference it
makes, either. | learn my lessons just the
same
81 will tell you what difference it makes"
patiently answered Miss Caprou. " 1t dis.
turbs the school, for one thing, and keeps .
the other girls from studying Besides 1t |
Injuries you-that is the worst Of tit is !
hurting your character
Annie's blue eyes twiukled with mis-
chief
"Will you tell me how, Miss Capron ?"
she asked dcmurely. al don't feel 1t. |
don't think it such crime Just to whisper"
Is it right to keep the rules Of the
school ~ said her teacher.
"Yes, ma'am"
" And wrong to break them %
"Yes;" a little reluctantly this answer
came.
Then, Annie, do not believe Que can
do wrong in ever so small thing without
harming herself Every time you do this
wrong thing, you hurt your conscience.
Deep 10 your heart, if you would stop to
look at it, you know there is feeling OF
dissatisfaction, because you are not doing
right. Don't let it be so any longer, dear
Begin anew, asking God to help you"
"Well, Miss Capron," said Annie after
pause, during which she had brushed away
tear or two, " krow I'm horrid, but
will be good tomorrow, SO good you won't
know me. | won't whisper or laugh or
turn around--you'll think I'm sick. -
Then with a laugh, for Annie could not be
sober long, she kissed her teacher goodbye
and went away.
Left alone in her schoolroom, Miss Ca
prom locked the door, and kneeling, offered
an earnest prayer for this pupil whom she
loved with so much anxiety.
Annie was one Of those frank, joyous
girls whom everybody loves, but at the same
time so full of fun that often her wild spir-
its carried her quite beyond bounds. So
far, though she seemed loving and docile,
all means had failed to keep her from whisp.
ering and setting on foot all sorts Of mis-.
chief, from time to time. Were the girls
laughing convulsvely, you might be sure
that Annie had been playing some funny
trick. When spoken to, she would quiet
down, only to burst out anew few minutes
later Yet her lessons were always perfect,
and her ambition high,
Wednesday morning came. True to her
word, Annie was the most studious OF
girls. Miss Capron was almost forced to
laugh, when she saw with what care those
merry eyes were scbered and bent upon a
book.
The first hour passed. quiatly and tho
second then came short recess, followed
by half an hour for study. This was trying
time for Annie. Unused to such entire re-
straint as she was now using, her spirits be
gan to rebound, and tempt her to resume
her old habits. But with look now anC
then toward Miss Capron she struggled
bravely and successfully.
Toward the close Of school hours, tn,
scholars were called upon to sing. Their,
{ was among them one girl named Ellen Ray
who possessed voice harsher than ravens
but who seemed to think herself a nghtin
gale. She would sing loud and long, pour
ing out her cracked notes with evident pride
Unfortunately for Annie's keen sense 0
the ludicrous, her seat was very near thi
, girl.
On this particular day, while the sngin
/ was going on, Annie's seat-mate gave her
= gentle touch, and pointed to Ellen, who
with mouth wide open and eyes appraised t
the ceiling was singing even worse tina
0 usual 1t was too much. Annies composur
gave way
G " Doesn't she look just like dying frog}
she whispered to her seat-mate, who wa
convulsed with laughter.
No sooner were the words said tina
g the thought flashed across Armies mind
p" I've whispered, after all" She was dis
y mayed, for she had been trying very hard
until that uuguafded moment, and now al
g was lost.
9 No use, no use, she said to herself
| while the tears rushed to her eyes and tn
n color to her cheeks =" needn't try an
more But instantly followed the bette
G thought, Miss Capron said we must 60 o.
a trying, if we did fail, and | will. Thi
4 shall be the only time
It stood putting on her hat, sorrowiully think
n ing what she should say to her teacher he
o seat-mate came up.
30, Bessie, I'm 50 sorry | whispere
!. that time, said Annie. What can do ?
"Do2 Nothing was the prompt gu
O swer. mo one knows it but me- Mis-
!. Capron didn't see it, know. You nee
il not tell her."
h Z" But she'll ask me-"
mo, she won't. LII fix it; you ju.
come up there with me, and catching An
a MES hand, she hastened to the desk.
e Didn't Annie do well to-day p sh
cried You can't say she hasn't bee
}. good and sober to-day, Miss Caprou, ca
/. you ?"
a No. said Miss Capron, with loyin
n smile. +" Annie has been very good indeed
h | am proud Of her.
What a moment that was for Annie.-
!. Should she speak Her teachers rare prais
q was very sweet to her; sweeter still wa
n that approving smile. Must she spoil it all
a 1t was only not to speak, only to smile an
r be silent Why not
/. 40, girls, you little think how fast you
e souls grow toward the good or i'll, in thes
4 moments Of silent conflict, 1t was only a
!. instant that Annie hesitate1.
q a." But | whispered" she said, very low
o You did, said Miss Capron. A dee
4 disappointment was in her voice.
: 4" Yes, ma am, once" Bessie turned an
o walked away. 80, | didn't mean to, sol
a bed poor Annie, quite breaking down.
a Then Miss Capron understood tn
whole, But you didn't stop trying, dear?
she asked.
4 Annie shook her head.
: Then you have really conquered, aitc
|, all. With one defeat, you have won tw
= yictories-oyer the temptation not to tr
4 again, aud the temptation to take praise tbs
. was not honestly yours, Thank God fc
this victory, Anuie, and pray that you ma
!. not forget again
a And Annie did not forget. With earne'
q effort success grew easier, and the memor
| Of her failure kept her safely humble
@ When, many weeks later, Miss Capron on
Q morning read in the opening chapter, " An