Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-03-19
The Queen Spain.

The present number Of Scrbner's Monthly
contains number Of letters written by a
young lady in Boston, who was follow pupil Of
tho young Queen of Spain at French convent
during The winter 1S73.74. By them we get n
most.chsrming doa of Queen Mercedes IS child
and arc made Intimately acquainted with her
school life. The following ls sample
Ihursdsy Dec, - Tho third division IN
history, Sister Marguerte's class in the Middle
Ages, came down IN quite an excited trsmo OF
mind this evening. It is large class, made up
mostly of Moyennes and contains number of
girl; rs full OF mischief as any in the school.
Sister Marguerite had has good deal of trouble
all winter in trying to keep order and silence
during the recitations. and now tonight the
girls reached pitch Of noise and dissipation that
made lessons almost impossible. Bad notes, US
uslly so olliectusI, we're now Of no avail, and as
one by one the older girls got led away by the
spirit Of mischief that prevailed. poor Sister
Marguerite felt that all authority was fast slip.
ping from her hands; and when at last little
quiet demure Madam, to the delight Of the Of
Tenders, could resist tho overtures no longer,
but began, too, to join in the FRANKS. she felt
that something desperate must be resorted TO.
With rap on the desk that made every one
jump she said. sternly, Mercedes !" The Prin-
ess started to her feet and turned crimson and
the girls looked up TO hear what was coming
next Sister Marguerite went on graVely:-
MerCou6 au RTl0VGQ 10 S06 you
this conduct lE your classmates. You may go
and stand atthe door till the class is quiet" All
WAS hushed in an instant and the girls were
sghast for to stand at the door is considered
ono of the most humliating Of punishnents and
is seldom resorted to except with the petites.
The door Of the recitation room is lass one
leading into the hall. right at the foot of the
staircase, where people are continually passing ;
so that the offender WHO stands outside is in full
sight of the passers by as well as of the class
The girls looked wonderingly at each other, at
tho mistress, then at the Princess, to see what
she would do. For moment she heststed
Then she turned and walked quickly, with head
bent down, to the door, opened it, went out and
stood there with ner hands folded and with a
very red face This step had the desired effect
Of bringing the class TO order, for there was
hardly girl but felt she deserved the punish
rnent far more than Madame. However, Sister
Marguerite lot her stay there several minutes.
Just as she WAS about to call her back down the
stairs came the good, kind n istress Of class who
has soft spot in her heart for all little sinners.
and who couldn't help laughing at Madsme's
discontinue at being seen in such position,
and. embracing her, led her back to class, ask
ing Sister Marguerite if the child hadn't been
doing pensnce long enough. From this till the end
of the lesson tho girls ware all like little models.
This evening, after Madame had left, the nuns
told us that after class she came up TO Sister
Marguerite and thanked her for having given
her this punishment, saying, You have re-
minded mo that in my position ought always
to give the highest example, hope l never
shall forget it," She always takes reproof IN
such good spirit that don't wondor tho nuns
think 30 much Of her.