South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-10-02

Shuie, ioVAiuS grave ana ANXIOUS, anu at
last the crisis came. For macy hours she
lay as if dead, aud not a noise as permit
ted to disturb the awful silence while they
waited to see If she would live or die. At
last she opened her eyes; aud tho suspense
vas relieved by an assuring word from the
doctor, that with careful nursing she would
soon be- well again. But her convslesccnce
was slow aud tedious after all.
Her former tormentors dared not sneak of
what they had done, but they sent daily
little bouquets of fragrant howers, or fruit
aud other delioaciesto tsmpthcr retur ming
appetite. Her Dyes would light up with
surprise aud pleasure at the little gifts.
Amidst all her wild raviugs not word Of
complaint at the illtreatmen. she had re.
ceiyed 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,
aud has never cared for mo. Mother died
when was born. had step.mother. bu,
father died five years ago, and I've taken
care of myself ever since
And you arc only fifteen now?
Eyes, ma'am'
'How did you ever get the money 70 pay
for years board and tuition here 2
Il earned it all Madsm, every cent Of It,
As soon as | was big enough | went into a
factory and earned two dollars week at
iirst and, finally, three and half, and
worked for my board nights and mornings
poor child y
'Oh, no, ma'am.I was very glad to DO it,
But Low did you keep along so we'll
with your studies p
Il used to fix book open on the loom,
where [ could catch sentence now and
then and the overseer did not object, be-
cause | always did my work we'll. You see,
Madam, L want to be teacher some time,
and l knew I'd have better chance 10
learn here than anywhere else, 80 ! just
determined to do it,
'What arc your plans fox the long vaca-
lion /?
Il must 60 back TO the factory and earn
enough to get some warmer clothes for the
winter. You SEQ, Madam, why can't af,
ford to dress better
Ma dams heart was full She bent over
the white, thin little face and kissed it
rcvereutly.
That evening when the girls gathered 10
the chapel for worship, she told FANNIE's
story. There was not dry eye in the
room. The moment Madam fms he'd.
BELLE BURNETT sprang up, with the tears
pouring down her checks
'Oh, Madam We have been swfulIy
cruel and wicked to that poor girl. We have
made fun Of her from the first, aud she
would never have been sick az she was If
we had not tormented her almost to death
was the most to blame it was | that
led on the rest, aud we have suffered terri.
bly, oil these weeks, fearing she might die
GU may expel me, or punish me eDy way
you please, for | deserve it; aud | ahall
go down on my knees to ask her pardon, az
soon as you will let me see her.
'My child, | am shocked to hear this |!
| can scarcely believe that any of my pu-
pills would iIl.troat companion because aho
was so unfortunate as to be plain and poor,
But you have made a noblo confession and
forgive you as freely as believe she viii
when she knows how truly you have repent
ed Of your unkindness'
by degrees, as she was able TO bear i,
one after another went TO FANNIE end
begged her forgiveness, which was freely
granted. Sho said,
Il don't wonder at all that you made fun
of me. know | was poorly dressed and
awtully homely. would have pulled every
bair out of my head years ago only / know
1t would grow in again as red as ever. But
oh If could have fet that had lust one
friend among you could have borne it {;
N -
have you all turn against me-
After this she gained rapidly, and one
foe morning the doctor said she might ioin
the girls in the drawing groom for On hour
before tea. There had been q vast deal Of
whispering and hurrying to and fro Of lato.
among the girls, Of which FANNIE hsd
been totally unconscious in the quiet SCI
ousiOn Of her room.
AZ the appointed time Madam herself
came to assist her, and, leaning upon lcr
strong arm, the young girl walked feebIy
through the long hall and down the stairs.
My dear, the girls have planned little
surprise for you,to make the hours as pleas
ant as possible
She opened the door, seated FANNIE in
an easy chair, and tho girls came gliding
10, with smiling faces, singing a beautiful
song Of welcome. At its close. BELLE
BURNETT approached and placed a bcaui.
ia wreath Of flowers upon Dor head saying:
Dear FANNIE, we crown you our queen to-
day, knowing we'll how far above US ell. yoo
arc IN His sight who looketh upon the
heart instead Of tho outside appearance.
You have taught us a lesson we Shall never
torget,& VIC beg you to accopts token Of sin.
cere love aud repentance for our treatment