Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
The New Popil.

OH lllo nN7JtTlca NJ OF laughter winch |
she vainly tried to smother behind an ele- |
CANT lace-edged handkerchief.
What is it. you provoking thing Why |
don't you tell us, SO we can laugh tooY"
&" Well-you-see," she gasped out at
last, we've got new pupil, the queerest |
looking thing You ever saw. | happened to |
be in Madames room when she arrived |
She came in tire stage and had a mite of an
hair trunk not much bigger
than band. box, and she came into Mad |
ame's room with funny little basket in her
hand and sat down as if she had come to
Gain ? Yes, she replied, that is my
name We'll, I've come to stay year at
your school, And then she pulled her
handkerchief out of the basket, and unrolled
it till she came to an old leather wallet, and
actually took out two hundred and fifty dol
lars and laid it in Niadame's hand, saving,
that is Just the amount | believe, will you
please give me a receipt for it 2 You never
saw Madame look so surprised She actu-
ally didn't know what to say for minute
but She gave her the receipt, asked few
questions, and had her taken to No 10, and
there she is now, this very minute"
"Well, what was there funny about that 2"
"Why, this she had red hair. tucked into
a black net, and looks Just like fright
every way. She had ON brown dclane
dress, without a sign of rufIle, or trimming
of any kind aud the shabbiest hat and
shawl you ever saw. You'll laugh too, when
you see her"
Belle Brunette was an only child, and her
wealthy father was pleased to CRAFTY her
every whim. SO, besides being far too ele-
gautly dressed for a schoolgirl she was sup
piled with plenty of pocket money, and being
very generous, and full of life and fun, she
was the acknowledged leader among Mad.
am pupils.
When the tca-bell rang, the new conner
was escorted to the dning-room. and intro
duced to her Schoolmates as Miss Fannie
Comstock. She had exchanged her brown
delainc for plain calico dress, with bit of
white edging about the neck. She did look
rather queer, with her small, thin, freckled
face and her red hair brushed straight back
from her face, and hidden as much as posi-
BILE under a large black net, and but for the
presence of Madame her first reception would
have been exceedingly unpleasant. She was
shy and awkward, and evidently i'll at ease
among so many strangers. AS soon as pos
sible she fastened back to the secuson of
her own room. The next dav she was ex-
amined and assigned to her place in the
different classes, and to the surprise of ALL
she was far in advance of those Of her age
But this did not awaken the respect OF her
schoolmates as it should have done. On the
contrary, Belle Brunette and her special
friends were highly iucensed about it, aud
at once commenced series of petty annoy
ances, whenever it was safe to do so, which
kept poor Fannie miserable indeed, although
she seemed to take no notice of it. A few
weeks passed by. Her lessons were always
perfectly rected, She made no complaint
OF the slight. and sneers OF her companions,
but kept out of their way as much as
possible. llerthin face grew paler, however,
and there were dark rings about her eyes.
A watchful friend would have seen that all
these things were wearing cruelty upon her
Young life. One Saturday the very spirit of
wickedneSs seemed let loose among them.
Madame was away; the other teachers were
busy in their rooms. Fannie had been out
Tor walk and was near the door OF her
room when dozen or more of the girls sur
rounded her, clasping hands together, so she
was a prisoner in their midst. For a mo-
ment she begged piteously to be released,
but they only laughed the more, and began
going around, singing something which
Belle had composed-cruel, miserable, in
sulting words. She stood for an instant
pale and still; then with piercing cry she
burst through the ring, and rushing into her
room, closed and locked the door. Through
their wild peals of laughter the girls heard
strange moan and a heavy fall.
believe she has tainted" said Belle.
"What shall we do Z" said another.
For a moment they stood there sober
enough then one of them ran for the mat
ron and told her Fannie Comstock had
tainted in her room and the door was locked.
She bad long ladder put to the window,
and sent the janitor to see if it was true.
Fortunately the window was open, and in a
few moments he had unlocked the door from
the inside. The girls were hudded together
in frightened group, while Madame lifted
the poor girl and laid her upon her bed. She
was in violent spasms. The doctor was sent
ior but when the spasms ceased, alarming
symptoms set in, aud he pronounced it a
serious case of brain fever. 1t was impos-
sible 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 theirpresence
only excited the poor sufferer, SO they were
all sent away. Day after day passed, and
still she raved in violent deliriun. The lit
tie hair trunk was searched, TO find some
clue to her friends, but there was nothing in
1t but the plainest, scantest supply of
clothes. Day after day the doctor came,
looking grave and anxious, and at last the
crisis came, For many hours she lay like
one dead, and not noise was permitted TO
disturb the awful silence while they waited
to see if she would live or die. At last she
opened her eyes and the suspense was re-
lieved 10y an assuring word from the doctor,
that with careful nursing she would soon be
well again. But her conyalescence was slow
and tedious after ALL
Her former tormentors dared not speak of
what they had done, but they sent daily, lit
tie bouquets of fragrant flowers, or little
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 complaint at the
ill-treatment she had received ever escaped
her lips.
One day Madame was sitting by her side,
and as she seemed so much stronger, she
ventured to ask after her friends.
have no friends, Madame only cousin
'biihf NhV q VI pNlli
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"
Aud You are only fifteen now I"
Yes, maam."
81 low did you get the money TO pay for a
years board and tuition here ?"
" earned ii all, Madame, every cent of it.
As soon as | was big enough went into II
factory, and earned two dollars week at
first, and finally three aud half, and |
worked for my board, nights aud mornings
Poor child !"
"Oh no, ma'am, was glad 10 do it,
But how did you keep along so well with
your studies 2"
" | 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 well. You see,
Madame, | want to be a teacher sometime,
aud knew I'd nave a better chance to learn
here than anywhere else, so | just deter.
mined TO do IT,"
What are your plans for the long vaea-
! tom"