Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-08-21
Ill.
TnE ScnooL.


gled in perfect labyrinth Of forest, stood a
long low, frame structure. 1t little needed
the quaint lettering above the door to tell the
occasional stranger who happened out in this
wooded country, that the edlice was School
House.. Its architecture told il; the long
windows ranged at intervals along the sides,
told it-with their green blinds, and sashes
guiltless Of an uubrokcn pane; likewise, the
wooden belfry, with its hanging rope seemed
telling the same fact. and if the soft sounding
bell had not been suspiciously quiet just now,
It's tongue would have told tho tale. The door
stood partially open, and small vestl0ule or
entry TAT either end of which a glassed door
admitted into the school rOom,l was decorated
in front with countless pegs, whence depended
hatsand bonnets in great proiusion. a glance
within the room reveals four rows OF school
desks stretching from the door 70 a platform
at the head of the hall, with an aisle between.
On this platform is a table and an armchair,
the former piled with books, papers. writing
materials. and some half-dozen mementoes OF
childhood which bad been caughti in the hands
of pupils supposed to have been more proiiia-
bly EMPLOYED, and summarly confiscated. y
large map illustrated in ilaring coloTs the glo-
rious proportions Of our glorious country, or
naments the wall back of the teachers char,
while around the sides Of the room an nn-
broken line of black board. at present free from
all chalk blemish, is displayed. A little clock
ticks quietly above the door and Its entirely
too slow movement is watched narrowly. IL
is the closing hour of the last day OF school
term. The desks are occupied by restless
Young America of both sexes, whose bright
eyes aud ruddy cheeks entirely Gisproye any
assertion charging their teacher with undue
severity.
Muriel Wilde has been instructing The
country children Of Wild View vicinity these
two or three years past The position was
given her, without any application on my he
roine's part, by the County Board. They re-
coqnized in Murel Wilde mind Of superior
intelligence, combined with n singular facility
for conveying its lessons 20 others. The chill
dren were all devoted 10 their kind preccptress.
attesting this affection on their part, NJ less by
daily floral offerings 20 Muriel, than their arz-
iety to please her by preparing good lessons.
The School MA'AM walks YEARLY up end
down the aislcs, pencil in hand, row pausins
TO address a word to some little girl, and now
70 assis. another in strapping Der books. The
hands Of the clock point lazily 70 S.45. Mu-
riel goes 70 her table, gathers the articles Of
confscated property, and dstritut.s them to
their owners, and Addressing n few words
to her scholars, motions 70 the largest boy
"A youth of perhaps twelve years, WHO
rises from his seat and goes 10 the door. The
clock records ten minutes Of four, and-din9-
dong. ding-dong dong-ding, dong-ding. rolls
out clear and musical from the bellry. lmme-
diatcly. confusion reigns The children, one
and al. begin perfect babelof noise. The boys
mugle together and lay OF plans for bunting
and fishing excursions. Susy, who has this
long time been miscd with Eliza. because Eli
"a told Betty that she was doceiilul little
hussy, land Of course Betty, after yowins not
to. used all due hastei in spreading the sanderl
-Susy, the gentle little maid-and no hussy
Eliza, for shame approaches, timidly, her
enemy aud leads OF in a general patching up
Of old quarrels among the feminines. After
peace reigns throughout tho multitude, the
children all crowd around her chair, and Mu-
riel holds n social matinee with her pupils.
o rs noisy occupants
have scattered-the school is closed for the
Summer yacation-and along a cooland shady
forest path there slowly wanders \ weary girl.
The birds, hid among the gerdure Of the trees,
pour ont a sweet welcome song az she passes
the lowly violet shyly bows is purple head (;
the forest giants mingle their branches to shut
out the rays Of July sun, lest they kiss TOO
roughly farest cheek all uatwe, indeed,
pays homage 70 Muriel Wilde.
TTo be continued