Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-07-11
My Little SCHOOLGIRL.

h LiltiO SOIiOOi VII ts
The first time / saw her was one
Autumn morning as | rode to town in
horse-car. 1t was early, and my only
fellow-passenger was a crusty old gem
tleman, who sat in a corner reading his
paper; so when the ear stopped |
glanced out TO see who came next, hop
ing il would be n pleasanter person. No
one appeared for a minute, and the car
stood still, while both driver and con-
ductOr looked in the same direction
without sign of impatienee. looked
also, but all could see was a little girl
running across the park, as girls of II
or l3 seldom run nowadays if any one
can see them.
Are you waiting for her?" i asked of
the pleasant-faced conductor, who
stood with his hand on the bell and a
good-natured, smile in his eyes.
Yes, ma'am, we always stop tor lit
tie missy" he answered; and just then
up she came, all rosy and breathless
with her run.
Thank you very much. I'm late to
day, and was afraid / would miss nv
ar, she said, as he helped her with ac
fatherly air that was pleasant to see.
Taking corner seat, she smoothed the
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, dim
pies in the ruddy cheeks, and the inno-
cent 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 a lesson,
and cheering herself with occasional
shifts at posy of mignOnette and sweet
peas. When the old gentleman caught
my eye, he dived out of sight with a
loud ''Hem,'' but he was peeping again
directly, for there was something ire
sistibly attractive about the uncon-
scious lassie opposite; and one could no
more help looking AT her that at a lovely
flower or playful kitten.
Presently she shut her book with
decided pat, and an air of relief that
amused me. She saw the half smile |
could not repress, seemed to under
stand my sympathy, and said with
laugh, at was hard lesson, but I've
got it," SO we began to talk about
school and essons, and | soon discov-
cred that tne girl was clever scholar.
whose on V drawback was, as she con-
tided to me, "a love of fun"
We were just getting quite friendly,
when several young men got in, one
of whom stared at the pretty girl till
even she observed it, and showed that
she did by the color that came and went
10 her cheeks. 1t annoyed me as much
as if she had been my own little dauhg
ter, for like mOdesty, and have often
been troubled by the forward manner
of school girls, who seem to enjoy
out of her trouble by making room be-
tween the old gentleman and myself,
motioning her to came and sit there. |
She understood at once, thanked me
with look. and nestled into the safe |
place so gratefully that the old gentle
man glared over his spectacles to the
rude person who had disturbed the Sc
renity of the child.
Then we rumbled long again, the
car getting fuller and fuller as we got |
down town. Presently an Irishwoman
with baby, got in, and before l could
offer her my seat my little schoolgirl
was out of hers, with polite
PLEASE take it a'am; can stand
perfectly well.''
1t was prettily done, and l valued
the small courtesy all the more, be-
cause it evidently cost the bashful
creature an effort to stand up in car
full of strangers, especially as she
could not reach the strap to steady her.
self, and found it difficult to stand COM
fortably.
Then it was that the crusty man
showed how he appreciated my girls
good manners. for he hooked his cane
in the strap and gave it to her, saying
with smile that lightened up his
rough face like sunshine.
Hold on TO that, my dear"
"Ah, thought /, ,'bow little can we
judge from appearances. This grim
old soul is gentleman, after ALL.
Turning her face towards US, the girl
held on to the stout cane, and swayed
easily to and fro as we bumped over
the rails. The Irishwoman's baby,
sickly little thing, was attracted by the
flowers, and put ont small hand to
touch them, with a wistful look at the
bright face above.
''Will baby have somc:" said my
girl, and made the little creature happy
with a gay sweet-pea and some red
leaves.
BLESS your heart, honey, it's fond
he is of the like o. them, and seldom he
gets any," said the mother, gratefully, ,
as she settled baby's hood, and wrapped
the old shawl round his feet. ]
Baby stared hard at the giver of the
posies, but his honest blue eyes had no I
offence, and soon the two were so