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

window, and sent tho ianitor to sec II it
was true. Fortunately the window was
open, and in q few moments ho had
unlocked the door from the inside.
The girls we're huddled together in o
frightened group, while Madam lifted
the poor girl and laid her upon the bed.
She was in violent spasms. The doctor
was sent for, but when the spasms
ceased alarming symptoms set in, and
he pronounced II n serious seof brain
fever, II is impossible to tell the
shame and remorse Of the conscience
stricken girls. They were not brave
enough to confess their guilt, but hung
around the sick room offering their
services, vainly wishing that they
might atone for 1t in some way. But
their presence only excited the poor
sufferer, so they were all sent away.
Day after day passed and still she
rayed in violent delirium. The little
hair trunk was searched, to find some
clew to her friends, but there was moth.
ing in 1t but the plainest, scantieHt sup
ply Of clothes. Day after day the
doctor came, looking grave and anx-
ious, and at last the crisis came. For
many hours she lay as il dead, and not
noise was permitted to disturb the
awful silence while they waited 10 sec
Il she would live or die. At last she
opened her eyes; and the suspense
was relieved by m assuring word from
the doctor, that with careful nursing
she would soon be well again. But her
conValescence was slow and tedious
after all.
Her former tormentors dared not
speak Of what they had done, but they
sent daily little bouquets OF fragrant
flowers, or fruit and other delicacies TO
tempt her returning appetite. Her
eyes would light up with surprise and
pleasure at the little gifts. Amidst all
her wild rawlings not word OF COM
plant at the ill.treatment she had re-
ceived ever escaped her lips.
One day Madam was sitting by her
side, and as she seemed to be 50 much
stronger, she ventured to ask after her
friends.
az hayc no friends, Madam only
cousin John, who has o large family Of
his own, and has mover cared for me.
Mother died when I was born. had q
step.mother, but father died five years
ago, aud I've taken care Of myself ever
SINCE"
"And you arc only fifteen nowP"
+" Yes, ma'am."
"How did you ever get the money
to pay for q years board and tuition
leres"
al earned it all, madam. every cent
Of II. AS soon Us I was big enough I
went into factory, aud earned two
dollars week at first, and, finally,
thrce and q half, and worked for my
board nights and mornings"
"Poor child"
"oh no, ma'am. was very glad to
do IT."
"Bnt how did you keep along SO well
with your studies 2"
81 used to fixa book open on the
loom, where / could catch q sentence
now and then, and the oyerseer did not
object, because l always did my work
well. You SEQ, madam, / want to be q
teacher sometime, and I knew I'd have
a better chance to learn here than any
where else. 80 1 just determined to do
IT,"
"what arc your plans for tae long
vacation?"
earn enough to get some warmer
clothes for the winter. You see,
Madam, why / can't afford to dress
better" ..
Madam's heart was full. She bent
over the white, thin little face and
kissed 1t reyorently.
That evening, when. the girls gather
ed in the chapel for worship, she told
Fannie's story. There was not a dry
eye in the room. The moment Madam
finished, Belle Burnett sprang up, with
the tears pouring down her cheeks.
"0h, Madam Wehave been awfully
cruel and wicked to that poor girl. We
hove made fun OF her from tho first,
and she would never have been sick as
she was II wo had not tormented her
almost to death. I was the most to
blame ; 1t was I that led on the rest,
and We have suffered terribly all these
weeks, fearing she might die. Youmay
expel mo, or punish me any way you
please, for I deserve it; and 1 shall go
down on my knees to ask her pardon,
as soon us you will lot mo see her."
''My child, Tam shocked to hear this
l can scarcely believe that any OF my
pupils would ill-treat q companion be-
cause she was SO unfortunate as to be
plain, and poor. But you have mnde q
noble confession. and I forgive you as
freely as l believe she will, when she
knows how truly you have repented OF
your unkindness." BY degrees, as she
was able to bear it, one after another
went 10 Fannie and begged her for
giyeness, which was freely granted.
She said, "1 don't wonder you made
fun Of me. know 7 was poorly dress
ed, and awfully homely. 1 would have
pulled every hair out Of my head years
ago, only knew it would grow in
again as red as ever. But, oh ! II /
could have felt TINT had just one
friend among you could have borne
it; but, somehow, IL just broke my
heart TO have you all turu against me"
After this she gained rapidly, and
one fine morning the doctor said she
might join the girls In the drawing.
room for an hour before tea. There
had been vast deal Of Whispering and
hurrying to aud fro OF late, among the
girls, Of which Fannie had been totally
unconscious in tho quiet seclusion Of
her room.
at the appointed time Madam her
self came to assist her, and, leaning