Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-09-29
MY LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL.
DY LOUISA ALCoTT.

The first time that saw her was one au.
tumn morning as [ rode to town in horse
car. 1t was early, and my only fellow-pas-
senger was crusty old gentleman, who sat
in corner reading his paper; SO when the
car stopped glanced out to see who came
next, hoping it would be a pleasanter per.
sou. No one appeared for a minute, and
the car stood still, while both driver aud
conductor looked in the same direction with.
out sign of impotence. / looked also,
but all l could see was little girl running
across the park, as girls Of IL or IL seldom
run, nowadays, if any one can see them.
"Are you waiting for her r. l asked Of
the pleasaut-faced conductor, who stood with
his hand on the BELL and 4 good-natured
smile in his eyes.
ayes ma'am, we always stop for little
Missy" he answered and just then up she
came, all rosy and breathless with her ruu.
Thank you very much. I'm late to-day
and was afraid | should miss my car" she
said, as he helped her with a iatherly air
that was pleasant to see. Taking corner
seat, she smoothed her curly locks, disturbed
by the wind, put on her gloves and settled
her books in her lap, then modestly glanced
from the old gentleman in the opposite
corner to the lady near by. Such a bright
little face as | saw under the brown hat.rim
happy blue eyes, dimples in the rudy
cheeks, and the innocent expression which
makes young girl so sweet an object to old
eyes
The crusty gentleman evidently agreed
with me- for he peeped over the top of the
paper at his pleasant little neighbor as she
sat studying lesson, aud cheering herself
with occasional shifts at posy Of mignon'
cite and sweet-peas. When the old gentle
man caught my eye, he Owed out of sight
with loud "lIem !" but he was pceping
again directly, for there was something ire.
sistibly attractive about the Unconscious
lassie opposite; and one could no more help
looking at her than at lovely flower or q
playful kitten.
Presently she shut her book with a de.
cided pat, and an air Of relief that amused
me. She saw the half smile could not re.
press, seemed to understand my sympathy
and said with laugh at was hard les
son, but I've got it !" So we began to talk
about school aud lessons, and | soon discov
cred that the girl was clever scholar, whose
only drawback was, as she conided to me, O
I Glove Of fun"
We we're just getting quite friendly, wher
several young men got in, one OF whom
stared at the pretty child till even she OBJ
served it, and showed that she did by the
color that came and went in her cheeks. L
annoyed me as much as if she had been my
own little daughter, for | like modesty
and have often been troubled by the for
ward manners of schoolgirls, who seem Il
enjoy being looked at SO helped this on,
out of her little trouble by making room be
tween the old gentleman and myself, anC
motioning her to come and sit there. Sh,
understood at once, thanked me with look
and nestled into the safe place so gratefully
that the old gentleman glared over his spec.
tacles to the rude person who had disturbed
the serenity of the child.
Then We rumbled along again, the cal
getting fuller and fuller as We got dowr
town. Presently an IrishwOman, with q
baby, got 10, and before | could offer my
seat my little schoolgirl was out Of hers,
with polite:
"Pleaso take it, ma am can stand per
fectly WE'LL"
1t was prettily done, and l valued tn,
small courtesy all the more, because it eVi
IDENTIFY cost the bashful creature an effort "a
stand up alono in the car full Of strangers
especially as she could not reach the straI
to steady herself, and found it difficult i
stand comfortably.
Then it was the crusty man showed hoy
he appreciated my girls good manners, 70
he hooked his cane in the strap and gave
to her, saying with smile that lighted Vi
bis rough face like sunshine:
"Ilold on to that, my dear"
"Ah," thought l, show little We can judg
from appearances, This grim old soul is
gentleman after all"
Turning her face toward US, the girl hell
on to the stout cane, and swayed easily :
and fro as we bumped over the rails. TIL
Irishwoman's baby, a sickly little thing, wa
attracted by the flowers, and put out smal
hand to touch them, with wistful look q
the bright face above.
"Will baby have some ?" said my girl
and made the little creature happy with
gay sweet pea aud some red leaves.
"Bless your heart, honey, it's fond he
of the like o. them, and seldom he gets any {,
said the mother, gratefully, as she settles
baby's dirty hood, and wrapped the oil
shawl round his feet.
Baby stared hard at the giver Of posiei