The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-06-22
True Bravery.

A very pretty, rosy little girl, perhaps
seventeen years of age, called in last
evening and asked to see Ida. Now,
Sissy was climbing about in the hay
mows hunting eggs, and L knew that
when she turned out for general search
she never came back in less than an
hour, so told the girl to sit down and
look over the late papers, and walt for
her. She told me her errandi she had
Joined a literary society, and the chill
dren- were so noisy at home that she
could not write her own performances,
and wanted Ida to write one for her.
l spoke commendatory words, and
told her 1 hoped she would be good
member and attend their weekly meet
ings punctually, and never answer "un-
prepared"
She told me she worked out by the
week. 1 pitied the girl, pretty and rosy
and neat, and inquired about her edu-
cation. She said she could read, write,
and had studied grammar, geography,
and misunderstanding more. l sug-
gested that two years at the village
academy might fit her for teacher, if
she studied diligently; then | looked
up and saw, by her sad face, that my ILL
advised words had hurt her. Oh, her
face was so full of sadness and pain, as
she replied: "Mother could not spare
the means, and l could not spare the
time; we are too poor! !!
"I wish you could" said /; "but,
Mary, understand me; / do not say this
because I think a teacher is any better
than the good, brave, little woman who
makes the whole house CHEEKY, from at
tic to cellar, with her light step and her
caroling song. Oh, no! twas because
knew you would appreciate and use a
good education in u way that Others
would be reached and benefited. You
are a brave little body, in this day,
when nearly every poor, ignorant up
start of girl is setting herself up for a
teacher, you mOdestly and honestly go
about your kitchen duties frankly and
unassumingly, dignifying and emo
bling them. If you were teacher and
wrought in this spirit, your influence
would be excellent. The cause needs
natural women, instead of shams; true,
positive, earnest, enthusiastic women,
instead of the made-up, silly, frivolous,
superficial, pink-and- dolls, who
are afraid of the truth. There are so
many girls thrusting themselves into
the position of teachers who have hone
of the requisite qualifications. The pro-
fessor at the village academy is one OF
our county school examiners. On ex-
animation days he does not return home
until near bedtime. He is aquiet man,
and would rather go to bed without his
supper than be any trouble to his land
lady. Knowing this, L generally have
cup of hot tea ready when he comes
along; it is only kind and neighbOrly,
and is faint expression of my gratitude
! Ii. l. IL. al Ir
POttses during their sojOurn of years
under his excellent teaching. Well,
while he is slipping his tea in the din
! ing-room, I slip off with the lists oi
questions that the applicants have been
busy over all day. These slips of paper
tell tales on the specifically educated
girls who would sniff up their noses al
poor, homely Pipsey Potts in her old
fashioned calash bonnet, Bay State
shawl, and allipack the worse of the
wear. Very many of these applicants
for a teachers certificate spell all the
States of the Union beginning without
a capital letter; many of them begin
every line with a capital, as though
they were writing poetry, and do Other
things accordingly. Now, this is al
well enough, until one has the audacity
to expect certificate, then it is wrong
shameful, showing the applicant to bt
wonderfully putfed up with the coarses
self-conceit. Honesty of soul and pur
ity of purpose are lacking-principa
much needed. Better far little Mary
l said, "that you be a good house keepe
than poor teacher; better to know how
to make a good loaf of bread than Il
wreak agonizing music out of dis
tressed piano; better to be honest thar
a deceiver. ."-PtpSey Potts.