Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-07-09
was slow and tedious, after

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 re-
turning appetite. Her eyes would light
up with surprise and pleasure at the little
gifts Amidst all her wild rawlings not u
word of complaint at the illtreatment
she had received ever escaped her lips.
One day Madam was sitting by her
side, and as she seemed to be so much
stronger she ventured to ask after her
friends.
Il have no friends, Madam only Cousin
John, who has large family of his own,
and has never cared for me. Mother died
when ] was born. | had step-mother,
but father died five years ago, and I've
taken care of myself ever since"
And you are only fifteen now?"
Eyes, ma'am."
"How did you ever get the money to
pay for years board and tuition here?"
:" | earned it all, madam, every cent Of
it. AS soon as was big enough / went
into factory, and earned two dollars
week at frst, and, finally, three and
halt, and worked for my board nights
and mornings"
Poor child" .....
"Oh no, ma'am. I was glad to do it."
but how did you keep along SO well
with your studies?"
" used to fix a book open on the loom,
where could catch sentence now and
then, and the overseer did not object, be-
cause ! always did my work well You
see, madam, want to be teacher some
time, and knew I'd have Il better chance
to learn here than anywhere else, so l
inst determined to do it,
"What are your plans for the long va
cationy"
must go back to the factory and
earn enough to get some warmer clothes
for the winter. You see, madam, why
cannot afford to dress better"
Madam's heart was full. She bent over
the white, thin little face and kissed it
reverently.
That evening when the girls gathered
in the chapel for worship, she told Fan
MES story. There was not Il dry eye in
the room. The moment Madam finished,
Belle Burnett sprang up, with the tears
pouring down her check.
90 Madam! We have been aWfuNy
| cruel and wicked to that poor girl We
| have made fun of her from the first, and
| she would never have been sick as she
was if we had not tormented her almost
to death. | was the most to blame; IT
was | that led on the rest, and we have
suffered terribly all these weeks, fearing
she might die. You may eXpel me, or
| punish me any way you please, for de-
serve it, and / shall go down on my knees
to beg her pardon as soon as you will let
me see her"
MY child, am shocked to hear this!
| | can scarcely believe that any Of my
| pupils would ill-treat n companion be
| cause she was so unfortunate rs To be
| plain and poor. But you have made n
noble confession and / forgive you as
| freely as | believe she will when she
knows how truly you have repented of
your unkindness" BY degrees, as she
was able to bear il, one after another
went to Fannie and begged her forgive
ness, which was freely granted. She
said: 81 don't wonder you made fun OF
me- | knew | was poorly dressed and
| awfully homely. | would have pulled
every hair out of my head years ago,
only | knew it would grow in again as
red as ever. But, Oh! If | could have
felt that had just one friend among you
could have borne it; but, somehow, it
just broke my heart to have you all turn
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 ii vast
deal of whispering and hurrying to and
fro of late among the girls, Of which
Fannie had been totally unconscious in
the quiet scclusion of her room.
At the appointed time Madam herself
came to assist her, and, leaning upon her
strong arm, the young girl walked feebly
through the long hall and down the
stairs.
MY dear, the girls have planned a
little surprise for you, to make the hour
as pleasant as possible"
She opened the door, seated Fannie in
an easy chair, and the girls came gliding
in, with smiling faces singinga beautiful
song of welcome. AT its close, Belle
Burnett approached and placed beauti'
ful wreath of flowers upon her head, say
ing: Dear Fannie, we crown you our
queen to-day, knowing well how far above
us all you are in HIS sight who looketh
upon the heart, instead Of the outward
appearance. You have taught US les
son we shall never forget, and we beg
you to accept token OF sincere love and
repentance Of our treatment of you in
the past which you viii find in your
room on your return"
Fannie's eyes were full Of tears, and
she tried TO say few words in reply, but
Madam spoke for her, and, after another
song, they followed their newly-crowned
queen to the dining-room, where most
tempting feast was laid, in honor Of the
occasion. Fannie was quietly, tearfully
happy through it all, yet 50 wearied with
the unusual excitement that Madam
said she must not see the girls Peace
Offering" that night. The first thing
she saw the next morning was
a fine large trunk, and lying
upon it card, "For Miss Fan
ME Comstock, from her teachers and
schoolmates" Hastily opening it she
saw it was packed full of neatly-folded
garments, but she had no time to exam
Inc it's contents until after breakfast,
when they left her alone with her won
derful gift. There were pretty dresses
and sacques, fine new hat and parasol,
gloves and ribbons, cuffs and collars, un-
dergarments in abundance, indeed every
thing which young schoolgirl could
possibly need. Every one of Madam's